With Halloween so close, it’s just the right time to carve some pumpkins to decorate your front porch for trick-or-treaters and party goers. For many of us, jack-o-lanterns were a part of our childhood Halloween traditions, and we’ve been using the same old pattern since we were six years old. You know the one—triangle eyes, jagged teeth. It’s a classic, but if you really want to impress with your pumpkin, you’ll have to get a bit more creative.
If you’re looking for a show-stopping pumpkin this Halloween, we’ve got a few tips for you.
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1. Check your pumpkin carefully before purchasing. This late in October, a lot of stores are still selling the stragglers from the first batch of pumpkins that arrived in September. Checking every inch of your pumpkin for soft spots, peeling skin or loose stems is mandatory, especially in a humid climate. Nothing’s worse than hauling a 15-pound gourd home and excitedly slicing it open to discover smelly, fuzzy mold inside. Ask for a store’s newest arrivals to guarantee freshness.
2. Step up your stencil game. You don’t need an art degree to pull off an elaborate pumpkin carving. Printing out a stencil, taping it to your pumpkin and tracing the lines by stabbing with a pushpin makes just about any design doable. Try something inspired by a pop culture trending topic, like Emojis (our favorite), Kanye and Jay Z or Donald Trump. You can even try creating your own stencil with online generators for letter and number stencils or photo stencils.
3. Use white or green pumpkins to make a chic conversation piece. If your Halloween decor aesthetic is a little more elegant than scarecrows and witches, these pastel pumpkins are what you need. For a simple but classy look, try using a mallet and metal cookie cutters to create a 360-degree lantern. More ambitious DIYers can invest in a couple of wood carving tools for a beautiful lace-patterned pumpkin.
4. Rep the Bayou State with your pumpkin. A Louisiana-themed pumpkin is sure to please crowds at your Halloween gatherings, so dig up a suitable stencil and carve your state pride. Try LSU-themed stencils like the Eye of the Tiger or Mike himself, use a fleur de lis stencil or even just the outline of the Boot.
5. Go three-dimensional. Sometimes the best pumpkin is one that thinks outside the box—or should we say gourd? Try out this tutorial for a cannibalistic pumpkin eating a smaller pumpkin, practice some etching techniques or even use your pumpkin as a ice bucket or queso and guacamole server.
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6. Make it last. Carved pumpkins can be quick to rot in the wrong conditions, so get the most out of yours by taking precautions. Avoid chemical solutions and try using peppermint—a natural antifungal—in the form of a peppermint soap, essential oil or a natural pumpkin wash recipe. Make sure to clean and scrape out as much of the pumpkin guts as possible before carving, since dry pumpkin insides keep mold at bay longer. While you’re getting those insides out, why not upcycle the seeds for a roasted, festive snack?
