Halloween Pumpkin Traditions

Pumpkin carving around Halloween is an age old tradition of creating decorations. Pumpkins have become something of a Halloween institution themselves, having since become costumes for everyone from infants to adults. There is no gap in the spirit of Halloween that has not been bridged by the pumpkin.

Since Halloween pumpkin carving became prevalent in the mid 19th C. there have been many variations on Halloween pumpkin craft when it comes to both costume and decor. There are now pumpkin masks, pumpkin suits, pictures of pumpkins as part of a decor set up, pumpkin costumes, not to mention just a plain old pumpkin itself; the list goes on and on.

Halloween Pumpkin Carving and Crafts

The most famous variation on the pumpkin theme in autumn, however, is the craft of pumpkin carving for Halloween. I will heretofore give a brief how-to on pumpkin carving so that those wanting to take part in this tradition can do so skillfully.

First and most importantly, you must select the pumpkins you'll carve for Halloween. You'll need to pick pumpkins according to what you want to carve on them. Whether it's simply carving a pumpkin to sit on the door step or holding pumpkin carving parties and contests for kids, this age old custom is a fun event for young and old alike.

Depending on the variety, pumpkins can range in size anywhere from tiny to huge. Medium sized ones work best for most stencils that you'll make or buy. Very large pumpkins can be carved with elaborate designs and used

Now that you have chosen your pumpkin, we will carve the pumpkin. Carving a pumpkin into a Jack-O'-Lantern freehand is the traditional way of doing it, is very easy and only takes a few basic tools. A large spoon or ice-cream scoop, a thin bladed knife and some newspaper will get you started. With the long, thin bladed knife, cut out the top of the pumpkin around the stem of the pumpkin. The hole should be large enough to allow you to scoop out the guts by hand and with a large spoon.

While you can cut a round circle out, you'll find that cutting a five or six sided opening will work the best. As you cut out the top hole, angle the knife so that the lid and hole will be somewhat cone shaped. This will help prevent the lid from falling into the hole. Now you can use a large spoon to scrap the inside walls of the pumpkin clean.

Once you have cleaned the inside of your pumpkin out, all you need to do is carve the face or pattern with your thin bladed knife. After that, all you have to do is put a candle inside, put the lid on top and stand back and enjoy.

There are also stencils and Halloween pumpkin clip art out now which will help give you ideas of what to carve for your next decorative outdoor pumpkin

Pumpkin Halloween Costumes

The pumpkin is the most prevalent symbol of Halloween in America. With baby Halloween costumes, baby pumpkin Halloween costumes, pumpkin masks, decorations made of both fake and real pumpkins, there is no shortage of ideas when it comes to making this Halloween the Halloween of the Pumpkin.