Creepy, Crazy, and Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas

It's spooky season! And you know what that means...it's almost time to turn that decorative front-porch pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern masterpiece! Read on to find some of our ideas for pumpkin carving and decorating!

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Are you in need of some inspiration? There's so much untapped potential in the un-carved gourds that adorn our front door stoop. Whether you plan to carve a traditional jack-o-lantern or venture into new creative territory, here are some Halloween pumpkin ideas that may inspire you this Halloween!

• The key to getting your pumpkin just right is using the right craft knife (and making sure it's sharp). Don't feel like you need to buy something super expensive. The classic $7 pumpkin carving kit you can buy from the store should work fine. My family would also use a fresh box-cutter if we were in a pinch.

• This year, I've discovered another piece of information that may just be a game-changer: Carving a small hole from the BOTTOM instead of the top of the pumpkin. This way, you can easily put a tea light inside without having to drop it in or burn yourself trying to light it from the top.

• If you really want to challenge yourself and go for a more intricate jack-o-lantern, you may want to consider using afoam faux pumpkin (you can find these at craft stores or on Amazon). The foam is easier to work with than fresh pumpkin.

• Wait to carve your pumpkin until 3-5 days before Halloween, because they won't last much longer after that. Once you carve them, they begin to decay. If you have to hit pause on carving, tightly wrap the pumpkin in tin foil and store it in the fridge.

• Use sewing tracing paper for your own custom design, or a free pattern you find online. You can find sewing tracing paper at most arts and crafts stores. Put the paper between your design and the pumpkin, making sure the paper is facing down onto the pumpkin's surface. Tape down the corners and sides, then trace with a pen.

A cat pumpkin, a ghost pumpkin, a dog, or even just the classic spooky grin can be enough to make a front porch festive. Toothpicks can make ghoulish teeth.

Scary pumpkins don't just have to be creepy faces. Listen, it's not an easy world out there. Some of my favorite pumpkins I've seen are the ones that truly hit a nerve. They depict truly horrifying aspects of adulthood like student debt. Wi-Fi down. The 2020 presidential election. Tax forms. Jeans I wore before COVID. Check engine lights. All things that make my heart start racing. Don't be afraid to tap into what truly scares you. While there are plenty of stencils templates online, make your own DIY pumpkin carving stencil with a printed picture and box cutter.

Do you have a TV show that you're currently obsessed with? A lot of people are into Schitt's Creek right now (we're feeling blessed that the last season dropped early on Netflix). That's why we love these 4 pumpkins portraying the iconic Rose family by @thesmallprint), and we love the added touch of each one lit with a different color. Whether it's a TV show, movie, or character, don't be afraid to put your carving skills to the test and make a pumpkin that showcases your favorite things!

Have you ever seen a napkin that just felt too pretty to use for dinner? I know I have. That's where Mod Podge comes in handy! We really love this project by Kali (@kbdesign02025)-- pumpkins with a chinoiserie pattern. For this project, plastic pumpkins work too. Coat the pumpkins in Mod Podge, layer on the napkin, and add another coat of glue! Let it dry, and marvel at your masterpiece.

One year, my brother had a large pumpkin as a "zombie" biting the head of a smaller pumpkin. Of course, in true teenage boy fashion, there was a bottle of fake blood involved. This larger pumpkin eating a smaller one is a great idea, especially if you give the larger pumpkin some scary teeth!

Some of us are just into fall things, and not as into creepy crawlies or ghosties and ghoulies. And that's okay! For us, that's where these fun fall-themed decorated pumpkins come in! We love this idea by @girl_with_the_green_sofa. It's simple, elegant, and perfect for a rustic fall theme. We also love the idea (by @wovenchildhood) of creating a rustic house for tiny little woodland creatures with natural materials. Collect some sticks, leaves, pinecones, flowers, and hot glue, and create your very own!

We also love this little Pumpkin Fairy House by Ashley from the Woodlark Blog! A tiny bunny on a miniature swing? Could anything be cuter? Check out the tutorial!

My parents have a ton of colored glass stones from when they went through their mosaic-making phase. The perfect use for them? All you have to do is grab a drill and drill some evenly-spaced holes, and pop the colored stones into the holes. When lit from the inside, the effect of the colored glass stones is simply dreamy!

What are you waiting for? Whether your decoration theme is more spooky or festive, there are plenty of ways to make your boo-tiful pumpkin unique. Be sure to share your favorite pumpkin carving creations and decorations with the ones you love on FamilyApp.