Pumpkin Carving: Easy step-by-step guide on how to become a pro

Pumpkin carving is one of the most intrinsic aspects of Halloween, and also one of the most entertaining things to do in preparation for it. However, people have started carving pumpkins for various celebrations, parties, and events, where the theme is Halloween. So, one need not wait for the Halloween season to arrive for learning the art of pumpkin carving. Whether you intend to design the traditional toothy Jack-o'-lantern face, or some other face design, the steps taken before you start the design are crucial as well. Here is a list of fresh pumpkin carving ideas.

How to carve pumpkins in a creative way?

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Basic steps to start the pumpkin carving process

1. You need to choose a large and fresh pumpkin that has a flat bottom, which makes it steady as you carve out the design. The old method is to cut off the lid from the top of the pumpkin, using a sharp serrated knife. However, you can even cut off the lid from the bottom to prevent the pumpkin sides from caving in.

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2. Make use of an ice cream scoop or a large serving spoon to remove all the pulp – seeds, fibres, and more. During this step, try and make the inner sides (walls) of the pumpkin thin. This will make it easy for you later when you have to start piercing the pumpkin for your preferred design.

3. Use a marker pen to make a simple outline of the face you intend to design on the pumpkin. If you are hesitant about your drawing skills, try making this outline on a paper and then paste it on the pumpkin. Start making holes along the lines you intend to carve, by making use of a fork, pen, or pencil. Use an appropriate serrated kitchen knife to cut out the mouth, nose, and eyes, in case of the Jack-o'-lantern face design.

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4. Place a nicely lit tea-light inside the pumpkin and close the lid, which can be decorated like a crown. Make a small hole in the lid to allow it to function as a chimney. Add some cinnamon sprinkles on the lid for good smell.

5. In place of the traditional Jack-o'-lantern face design, you can choose to go for different designs such as:

• Gold Star Pumpkin (cut out star shapes using star-shaped cookie cutters of varied sizes)
• Spooky Pumpkin (paint the pumpkin black and write a spooky message)
• Dotted Pumpkin (drill holes at several places marked on the pumpkin)

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These creative pumpkin carving ideas are sure to break the monotony of traditional Jack-o’-lanterns for your Halloween festivities or for your celebration parties based on a Halloween theme (round the year). You can include the kids for this fun craft idea. With a little bit of supervision, you will get amazing pumpkin carvings in no time and engage your little ones in some creative activity. 

Source Reference Articles:https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-carve-pumpkin https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloween-ideas/a22196/pumpkin-carvin