Tuesday’s Tips – Pumpkin Carving Tips and Tricks

This post and its photos may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

 This weekend we are going to our local pumpkin patch to pick up a few pumpkins.  I have a love-hate relationship with carving pumpkins.  I love decorating my front yard with Jack O’ Lanterns but I do not enjoy the prep work that comes with carving pumpkins.  I’m not a huge fan of hollowing them out and the mess that comes with pumpkin carving.

I’ve rounded up a few clever Pumpkin Carving Tips and Tricks that really left me thinking – “Why didn’t I think of that!”

Tip #1 – What a clever way to hollow out a pumpkin.  This will prevent the lid from falling into the pumpkin and you’ll have more room to put your hand inside.

Tip #2 – I also love this idea from Happy Hooligans.  Cut the base of the pumpkin and clean it that way.

Tip #3 – Use a dry erase marker or washable marker instead of a sharpie to draw your designs on your pumpkin.  Duh!!  I can’t believe I never thought of this simple tip.  I always have visible sharpie lines all over my carved pumpkins but not this year.

Tip #4 – Forgot to pick up a pumpkin carving kit?  Download and print tons of free design templates online.  Use an ice cream scoop to clean out your pumpkin and a a push pin or nail to your transfer your design onto the pumpkin.  You can also use a keyhole saw to carve out your design.

Tip #5 – After you’ve traced your design and poked all your holes, rub baby powder over your pumpkin so you can see the design.  Makes carving the pumpkin so much easier.

Tip #6 – Forget carving pumpkins with a knife – using a drill sounds so much easier.  Thanks Andrea for the awesome idea.

Tip #7 – The fabulous Anna from Ask Anna has a great tip for keeping your pumpkin from molding.  Use silica gel packs.  Now I know what to use these things for since I usually just throw them away.

I think this might be the best idea yet!

Tip #8 – Use glow sticks to illuminate your carved pumpkin.  Genius!!

Now, it’s your turn.

What are your favorite tips and tricks for carving pumpkins?