31+ Easy Halloween Pumpkin Carving Ideas That Impress

There are very few limits when it comes to good pumpkin carving ideas. They don’t necessarily have to be Halloween related, these days…pretty much anything goes. If you do want to stay true to Halloween, then you have the standard scary faces, ghosts, witches and spiders…but there are levels to this game. A little more planning and a little more time invested, you can literally create a piece of artwork.

It is ALWAYS better to retain the top of the pumpkin and instead, cut the bottom. This way, the moisture is retained within the pumpkin which means that it lasts longer. When you are removing the seeds, people make the mistake of removing them in one go. It is better for the pumpkin if you remove them be scraping the walls.

It very much depends on the climate. If you live in a hot place, generally a carved pumpkin will last between 3 and 5 days. Living in a colder climate may mean that your pumpkin lasts up to a couple of weeks.

It is very much a historical tradition that goes back to the Celts. Back then, they would carve faces into vegetables and place a candle in them. The purpose of which was to ward off evil spirits with the light shining through them.

Well, that is up to you but many people make use of it. More often than not, it is turned into a recipe…plenty of recipes online. Obviously, it is better to make use of it!

There are various ways of preventing your pumpkin from rotting. Since it is a live vegetable, it is prone to mold. You can therefore use water and bleach solution to kill bacteria. Pumpkins will also shrivel as the moisture within it evaporates, hydrate it daily by using a bleach and water solution. Alternatively, consider giving it an overnight ice bath to re-hydrate it. Storage can also prevent it from rotting sooner. When not on display, either place it in the fridge or in a cool place. Using real candles cooks the pumpkin, so consider using glow sticks instead.

You can can buy tools specific to carving pumpkins but the plastic ones are not always the best option. Instead consider using a serrated vegetable knife and a soup ladle to remove the seeds. You probably already have these in your kitchen.

You should consider leaving the top whole if you want it to last longer. There is nothing to stop you carving both sides.

Pumpkins last anywhere between 8 to 12 weeks after they are picked. So buying them early in October can have a price advantage.

Yes, you should always wash your pumpkin even if you are not eating it. It removes any bacteria and potentially, chemicals.

A vinegar solution of two parts white vinegar with i part lemon juice, is used to brush on the outside of the pumpkin. This is known to help prevent rotting.

It really depends on the temperature of where you live. If you live in a hot climate, your carved pumpkin will last between 3 and 5 days. Therefore, in these circumstances, it is better to bring it in and refrigerate it overnight, or place it in a cool room.

Yes, hot glue absolutely works on a pumpkin.

Yes, Sharpies work on pumpkins. However, they are permanent so they may not be the best solution for a pumpkin. You would be better using a pencil or stencil.

Acrylic is the best paint for pumpkins as it does not crack.