cottages.com
  • Blog Home
  • All Articles
  • Inspiration
    • Groups
    • Couples
    • Family
    • Waterside
    • Outdoors
    • Luxury
    • Culture
    • Events
    • Food and Drink
    • Dog Friendly
    • Nature
    • Properties
    • Wellbeing
    • Town and City
    • LGBTI
    • How to Holiday Let
  • Regions
    • England
      • Central England
      • North East England
      • North West England
      • South West England
      • Southern England
      • East Anglia
    • Scotland
      • Southern Scotland
      • Central Scotland
      • Northern Scotland
    • Wales
      • South Wales
      • Mid Wales
      • North Wales
      • MailPoet 3 Form
    • France
      • South East France
      • Central France
      • South West France
      • Eastern France
      • North East France
      • North West France
      • Channel Islands
    • Ireland
      • Eastern Ireland
      • South East Ireland
      • South West Ireland
      • Western Ireland
    • Italy
      • Central Italy
      • Northern Italy
      • Southern Italy
    • Isle of Wight
    • Isle of Man
Your cart is empty. Go to Shop.
pumpkin carving guide
October 24 2019

How to carve pumpkins

Halloween pumpkins

Halloween pumpkins or ‘jack o’lanterns’ have been a part of the season’s festivities since the 19th Century.

Originally inspired by the light over peat bogs and wetlands that carried the same name (also known as will-o’-the-wisps!), pumpkins were left outside homes to ward off evil spirits.

Today, pumpkins are a great way of exploring your creativity – and a perfect way to kick off your Halloween celebrations!

We’ve collated the ultimate guide to pumpkin carving. There are 3 templates at the end too, perfect for beginner, intermediate and advanced carvers!

Pumpkin patch

Picking your pumpkin

Choose a healthy pumpkin: Avoid those with soft spots, bruises, mould & cuts. The greener the stem the better, and don’t forget, a flat bottom will help when displaying.

Size is everything: Make sure you get a pumpkin that fits your design. Small pumpkins may look cute but you can have a devil of a time trying to carve them. Look for something large that will throw out lots of light.

Halloween carving

Carving time  

Get the right tools for the job: Plenty of retailers now sell pumpkin carving sets, making carving easier. You could also use a knife for the cutting and carving and a spoon for emptying the inside.

The messy bit: Cut off the crown of the pumpkin at a 45 degree angle, this ensures the lid doesn’t fall into the pumpkin. Completely remove the seeds and fibres plus some of the flesh.

Keep it clean: Clean and soak your pumpkin with water and bleach (1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 litre of water). Leave it to dry in a cool and ventilated area (not outside). This kills bacteria and prevents the pumpkin from growing mould too quickly.

The creative part: Pick a design. Attach it to your pumpkin with tape and either draw around it or mark it with pins.

Let’s get carving: Using a small serrated knife to cut around your design. Make sure to cut away from you!

Lit pumpkin

Presenting and preserving

Keep it fresh: Use Vaseline around the carved edges as well as inside to help lock in the moisture. This helps your pumpkin last longer. You could also use WD-40, vegetable or olive oil.

Light it up: Pop a tea light inside your pumpkin. Light it and replace the crown.

Display your creation: Put your pumpkin on display and keep the ghouls at bay!

painted pumpkins

Artistic alternatives

Not a fan of carving? Paint it! You can try free hand or use a stencil to reveal your design.

Want something modern? How about covering your pumpkin in gold pins.

Showcase the best of autumn. Use fallen leaves by sticking them to your pumpkin.

Prettier pumpkin? Get some ribbon and wrap it up

Download Templates

Easy Intermediate Hard

cottages.com Events, Family, Featured Articles, Inspiration

Related Posts

The best family films

Culture, Family, Featured Articles

The best family films

March 25 2020
Things to do indoors

Family, Featured Articles, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Indoor entertainment ideas

March 17 2020
cottages with cinema rooms

Featured Articles, Inspiration, Properties

Cottages with stunning cinema rooms

March 17 2020

Recent Posts

  • The best family films
    The best family films
    March 25, 2020
  • Things to do indoors
    Indoor entertainment ideas
    March 17, 2020
  • cottages with cinema rooms
    Cottages with stunning cinema rooms
    March 17, 2020

cottages.com

  • About Us
  • About Vacation Rentals UK
  • Important Holiday Information
  • Press and Media
  • FAQs
  • Gender Pay Gap

Holiday Inspiration

  • Inspire & Explore Travel Guides
  • Cottage Collections
  • Social Media
  • cottages.com TV

Booking Information

  • Pay Balance
  • Insurance Information
  • Ferry Travel
  • Terms and conditions

Our Website Policies

  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Notice
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap

cottages.com is the new home of cottages4you (Cottages for You).

cottages4you
Subscribe to our latest deals & offers

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

ABTA Protected

Book with confidence. We are a member of ABTA. Read full details of our ABTA membership and where financial protection might apply to your booking.

0345 498 6900 Open 9am-9pm today
  • norton
  • modern-slavery
  • green-scheme

cottages.com is a trading name of Awaze Vacation Rentals Ltd. Registered in England and Wales.
Registered Office: Sunway House, Raglan Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 2LW, UK
Company Registration Number 00965389. VAT Registration Number: GB 598 22 99 77