These Hacks Will Take Your Pumpkin Carving Skills to a New Level

Thinking about carving a good ol' jack-o'-lantern this Halloween?

If so, you probably want it to look its best. Pumpkin carving can be an arduous (and messy) process, so peep these 10 simple and clever hacks that will make your entire pumpkin-carving experience top notch. 

1.  Cut Off the Bottom Instead of the Top

Correct us if we're wrong, but cutting off the top of a pumpkin is actually quite a hassle. Not only does the lid inevitably fall though, but it ends up smooshing the candle you've lit inside in the process. This year, How About Oranges suggests cutting off the bottom part of the pumpkin instead for easier access and less candle trauma.

 

2. Use a Drill

Not too keen on using carving tools? That's okay! The Garden Glove recommends carving pumpkins using a drill, instead, so grab a parent and a power tool and get working on your masterpiece. You can keep it simple with drilled circles, or spruce it up with a floral design. It's really up to you, your imagination and that power tool, and the best part is that there's no scooping required.

(via Shutterstock)

 

Also read about: 6 Pumpkin-Flavored Recipes to Sink Your Teeth Into This Fall

 

3. Scrape Out the Seeds With an Ice Cream Scooper

Scooping out pumpkin seeds is probably one of the gnarliest parts of carving a pumpkin. To avoid the mess, try digging out the seeds with a metal ice cream scoop this time around, as suggested by A Real Life Houswife. It's a foolproof (and tidy) solution that saves you time, as well as icky hands.

 

4. Cut Out Shapes Using a Cookie Cutter

If you're not skilled at sketching and carving out intricate shapes, simply grab a cookie cutter in the shape of your choice and use a mallet or hammer to push it all the way through your pumpkin, as demonstrated by Lauren Conrad. You'll have yourself a picture-perfect design in no time.

 

5. Use Dry Erase Markers

Instead of using a permanent marker to sketch out your design before carving, use a wet or dry erase marker. This will allow you to draw and erase your design as many times as your heart desires. Mistakes happen, and you don't have to show them off on your porch come Halloween.

(via Shutterstock)

 

Also read about: The Best Captions for Every Pumpkin Spice Latte Pic You Post on Instagram

 

6. If You Make a Mistake, Use Toothpicks

As we said, goof-ups happen! If you cut out a piece of pumpkin by accident, Sometimes Homemade recommends easily repairing it by using toothpicks to hold the broken pieces in place. They can also be implemented for floating details, unique mosaic patterns or even spooky spikes. Genius.

(via Shutterstock)

 

7. Use LED Lights or Glow Sticks

Not a fan of candles? Try something different this year by bringing your lantern to life with LED lights (which happen to be a lot safer than candles). If you really want to liven up your pumpkin, replace candles and lights with glow sticks. It's a fun way to add more color to your rather orange gourd and make it stand out from the rest.

(via Shutterstock)

 

8. Put Your Mr. Potato Head Accessories to Good Use

No need for carving tools in this case. Frugal Life Project reveals that we can simply grab a Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head and proceed to insert the spud accessories into your jack-o-lantern, carving small holes, if needed for attachment. It's the easiest (and funniest) way to decorate a pumpkin ever.

 

9.  Sprinkle Cinnamon Inside the Pumpkin

This one's for all you pumpkin spice lovers out there. As Practically Functinal shares, before you light the candle in your pumpkin, you can dust your lid with cinnamon spice. The heat from the candle will disperse the cinnamon aroma and make your jack-o'-lantern extra enticing.

 

10. Preserve Your Pumpkin With Vaseline

If you want your pumpkin to last as long this spooktacular season, coat all areas where you carved with a layer of vaseline. This will keep it from drying out and quickly rotting. If you live where it's hot and dry, considering also storing the pumpkin in the fridge during the days leading up to Halloween.

 

Feeling lukewarm about the arrival of fall? Click HERE to discover the top reasons to get excited about the season.