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Tips For Carving The Perfect Pumpkin

Oct 29, 2020 08:56PM ● By Kaitlyn Malone
Carving a pumpkin for Halloween is a fun tradition to have every year. It was always a memorable experience taking off the top of the pumpkin and scoop out the insides with bare hands as a kid. It is still such a treat to see jack o' lanterns lit up on the neighbors' front porches while on an evening stroll down the streets of Hanover during fall. This year make your pumpkin stand out! Whether you will try for a more intricate design or a simple, goofy one, here are some tips on carving the perfect pumpkin.

Picking Your Pumpkin:

It all starts with which pumpkin you choose. Either at a pumpkin patch or when you go to a store to select your pumpkin, choose one that inspires all the Halloween feels if you want to opt for a more warty pumpkin that could add lots of character to your design, go for it! Finding a smooth-surfaced pumpkin will be easier to work with if you are carving a more intricate design. Make sure to pick one that is solid to the touch and has a sturdy stem.  If you haven't already gotten your pumpkin you can check out either the Hanover or Lebanon Co-op or Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center.

Hollowing Out The Insides:

It will be helpful to remove as much of the insides as you can. Use a metal spoon and scrape the inside walls of the pumpkin thoroughly. Fun tip-You can always bake the seeds for a fun snack later! If you are carving an intricate design, it could help scrape the inside wall where your design will be to make it thinner and easier to carve later.

Tracing The Design:

First, clean the outside of your pumpkin. Then print out the design you want to carve or find it in an art store and tape it to the outside of your pumpkin. If you wish, you can get transfer/tracing paper from the art store as well so you can draw your design directly onto your pumpkin. This will help make sure that you carve out the lines exactly as you want them.

Take Your Time:

If you want your pumpkin to be perfect, be sure to take your time and enjoy the process! If you feel like you need more time, you can always take a break, wrap your pumpkin in plastic wrap and set it in the fridge, so it’s easy to carve later. Make sure you have the right tools like a good knife so that you cut safely and get those clean lines.


Happy carving!

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