The 75 Best Pumpkin Carving Ideas We've Seen This Year (2024)

FAQs

What are the best pumpkins for carving? ›

The most commonly used pumpkins for carving are the Connecticut field types. These are the ones that are available beginning in the early fall through Thanksgiving and are bright orange in color.

Scalloped Edge Pumpkins

Carving out scalloped edges for your pumpkins creates a unique display you can stack on any table, mantel or desk. Cut your round opening from the bottom and scoop out the insides using a spoon or measuring cup. Keep carving the opening until you've created your desired bowl shape.

The best time to carve your pumpkin is just a few days before Halloween. So, anywhere between 3-5 days before Oct. 31 to avoid your pumpkin turning into a moldy pile of mush. There are also some helpful tips to consider when picking the right pumpkin for carving and the right tools that are needed.

As soon as you carve a pumpkin, the clock starts counting down to its inevitable decline, says Ashley Renne Nsonwu, host of the show Ashley Renne on Smart Healthy Green Living. "You have anywhere from three to five days max before they start to soften and get moldy," she says.

The most popular jack-o'-lantern design with 105,668 Pinterest saves is an “I see you” pumpkin, which means creatively carving out your pumpkin to resemble a giant eyeball. To achieve this super-cool design, hollow out a larger orange pumpkin and carve out an eye shape.

Howden – These are the famous 'Halloween pumpkins”. It's classic and symmetrical. It gives out the perfect orange hue. Connecticut Field – Oldest and most traditional variety available.

Using a marker pen, draw the outline of your heart onto the pumpkin. Then use a small sharp serrated knife to cut out your heart (always cut away from you in case the knife slips). Finally, pop a tea light inside the pumpkin and light it.

After carving, the most important step to having the longest lasting jack-o-lantern is a long soak in a bleach/water bath. Using a large bucket or container, submerge your amazing work in a bleach/water solution of 1/3 cup bleach per gallon of water. Your pumpkins should soak for several hours, but no longer than 24.

This is arguably the most important rule of all that everyone should follow - when you're out trick-or-treating, only take your kids to the houses who have put up Halloween decorations. At the very least, you should only go to a house with a pumpkin at the front door or at the window.

Do these tricks multiple times a week if you're really invested in your pumpkins. Spray it with hairspray or a bleach/water mix every couple of days to keep it fresh.

Does hairspray keep squirrels away from pumpkins? ›

You read that right - hairspray! Most animals avoid eating things that have unpleasant textures. You can make your pumpkins sticky by spritzing them with a generous coating of hairspray, which can make them unpalatable to animals. Make sure you cover all exposed parts of the pumpkin!

When you carve a pumpkin, it exposes the insides, making it more susceptible to infection through air flow. The environment (temperature, sunlight, etc.) can also be a factor in the pumpkin's quality. Molds are a fungal micro-organism that have the potential to live everywhere.

The jack-o'-lantern pumpkin is also a different variety than the pie pumpkin and not truly designed for eating. These decorating pumpkins are stringy, coarse and not as “meaty” as other varieties. Pie pumpkins are thicker, meatier (making them difficult to carve) and offer more pulp for pureeing.

For carving, opt for pumpkins with smooth, even skin and consistent coloring for a clean canvas. Prioritize pumpkins free of soft spots and deep scratches by thoroughly examining their skin. Ensure a longer-lasting pick by choosing pumpkins with firm, non-mushy bottoms and sturdy stems.

Technically, any type of pumpkin, gourd or squash can be carved, but you want to select ones that are easy for you and your kids to handle. Whether you're picking them out at a farm or at the grocery store, make sure that your pumpkin is healthy and free of decay.

When shopping for pumpkins, look for the ones usually generically labeled “sugar pumpkins” or “pie pumpkins.” Some specific names are Baby Pam, Autumn Gold, Ghost Rider, New England Pie Pumpkin, Lumina (which are white), Cinderella, and Fairy Tale.