Love it or hate it, Halloween is hard to avoid with the shops awash with spooky items. However you choose to celebrate 31st October, there is one tradition that will generally precede all festivities. The self-carved Jack o'lantern is something of a Halloween custom, but how will you make yours stand out from the crowd? Here are our top 10 tips for giving your pumpkin a touch of magic...
1. Choose your pumpkin wisely
The lines on the skin could be a witch's wrinkles while a misshapen squash could provide a distinctly different canvas.
2. Use a template to perfect your spooky design
Create your own or find inspiration from the many websites dedicated to pumpkin styling. Secure your chosen design to the front of your pumpkin and carefully trace the image by poking holes along the lines. Once finished remove the template and gently carve. Voilà!
3. Create some eerie shadows by carving another pattern into the back of your pumpkin
Place next to a wall, light from the inside and watch your design come to life.
4. Put some flame-retardant coloured tissue paper just behind the front face of your pumpkin to create a coloured filter
Make sure you're lighting your pumpkin with a torch rather than a naked flame though!
5. Try shaving parts of your pumpkin rather than cutting all the way through
This will give your design a two-tone effect and add depth.
6. Use everyday items from around the house to bring your pumpkin to life
Create a face from nuts and bolts, use white reflective tape as bandages or simply chop off the top and add flowers for your own spooky vase!
7. Painting your pumpkin can work wonderfully, especially if you want to keep little hands away from sharp objects
They'll also look great in the daytime. Either paint on a design or use to add accents to an already carved squash.
8. Shun the traditional orange pumpkin for a ghoulish green variety... or why not try your hand at transforming a watermelon?
The process is the same but it will certainly make your neighbours look twice!
9. Make your pumpkin shine from the inside out
Use multicoloured Christmas lights to add a new dimension to simple styles or try a red bicycle light, set to flash, for a really sinister touch.
10. Funny faces and ghoulish grins not your thing?
Try making simple shapes like stars or creatures with cookie cutters or use an apple corer or drill bits to add polka dots for a more grown-up pumpkin.
Don't forget to use the inside of your pumpkin to create delicious dishes!
Credits: Adapted from BBC GoodFood article
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