Pumpkin carving is one of the quintessential Halloween activities, and last year was the first year I ever decided to give the tradition a go. I expected it to be very difficult, and was actually so surprised at not only how easy it was to do, but also how much of an social gathering it can be! Not only it is it a fun and craft activity to do, but it’s a great way to keep the spirit of Halloween alive in the lead up to October 31st. Here are some handy tips for you to host your own Halloween pumpkin carving this year.

   

Invest In The Right Tools

There are certain items that you are going to need to get for your Halloween pumpkin carving, and you will need to make sure that you have enough of each of the tools to go around all of your guests. You will need a carving knife, a serrated knife for removing any edges, a scoop for the pumpkin guts, bowls for the leftovers, templates for your pumpkin designs and the pumpkins themselves.

If you aren’t sure what sort of tools to get buying online is your best bet. It may seem a little childish, but Pumpkin Carving kits are surprisingly useful and the perfect tools to use for the pumpkin carving. You can buy some easily online, and I recommend this one.

Get Inspiration

There are so many pumpkin carving ideas that you can go with for your own pumpkin. You can make a Cheshire cat, a puking pumpkin, a classic smiling Jack O’Lantern, spooky ones, political statements, anything! Troll the online world and sites like Pinterest for ideas, print out a template, and make sure to have heaps on hand for your guests of the event – just in case their creative juices have run out.

Timing Is Crucial

Once you cut open your pumpkin and spill out its guts, just like any open food item there is a time limit on your pumpkin before it gets infested with gnats or other such bugsleys – especially if you put your pumpkins outside or somewhere easily reachable by the sun or the creepy crawleys of the world. Because of this, it’s crucial that you host your pumpkin carving in the lead up to Halloween with a few days or up to a week to spare. Once Halloween is over, it’s best to get rid of the pumpkins as soon as possible too – rotten pumpkins are no fun!

Make It An Event

While your guests are busy creating, it’s important to still be a great host! Serve up nibblies like roasted pumpkin seeds, cheese and crackers, wine and delicious pumpkin themed and flavoured foods. Play some Halloween music to get you into the mood and rock out knowing that Halloween isn’t too far away!