5 Tips for Carving the Perfect Pumpkin

The days are getting shorter, the air is getting cooler…and you know what that means: it’s almost Halloween! Some people go all out for this spooky holiday, from putting inflatables in the yard, to hanging decorations from Independence Bunting. Even if you like to keep it simple, chances are you'll be picking up a pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern or two. Do your pumpkin carving skills need a bit of a tune-up? These five tips can help you create the perfect pumpkin.

1. Select your victim. Make your life easier by opting for a larger pumpkin to give you plenty of room to work with. Look for a lighter-fleshed gourd that isn’t too heavy when you pick it up, because lighter pumpkins may be easier to cut. Avoid any with bad spots or bruises, which indicate it may have already started rotting.
2. Harvest your tools. If you are carving with children, you may want to get a pumpkin carving kit, which has small plastic tools that make it easy to create designs. You can also use a boning knife to make intricate details, but you should exercise caution if you put a knife in your children’s hands.
3. Don’t flip your lid. Cut the top off your pumpkin at an angle to prevent it from falling inside after you finish carving. You can also slice out a small chimney in the back of the lid to allow more air and a brighter glow from your candle or other light source.
4. Get your hands dirty. Scooping out the inside of your pumpkin is a messy business, even If you use an ice cream scoop to make it easier. You can put down a few sheets of newspaper on your work space to make clean-up simple. Be sure to clean out as much of the seeds and stringy flesh as you can. And save those seeds for roasting!
5. Execute your plan. Before you make the first incision, have a design in mind. You can download a design template or come up with your own, but either way, you may want to sketch it out before you start cutting. A dry erase pen, chalk, or light pencil can all be used to draw your pattern directly onto the pumpkin. You can also cut a section at a time, then go back over it to smooth out any rough edges.

Now you’re ready to create your Halloween masterpiece! Use a tea light in a jar or a battery-operated candle inside your jack-o-lantern to illuminate it. You can also sprinkle the inside with cinnamon for a spicy aroma. Your pumpkin, along with the Halloween decorations you can get from Independence Bunting, can put your home or business in the holiday spirit.

Ready to get into the holiday spirit? Shop Independence Bunting Halloween themed bunting and bows today to properly set the stage for that perfectly carved jack-o’-lantern. The orange and black colors of our bunting contrast vibrantly with any other Halloween decoration you may have. Check out our Halloween collection here.