I’m such a cheap guy. I love carving pumpkins and I have to say, I’ve bought more than one set of pumpkin carving tools. I remember when they first really came out commercially. I’m sure some geniuses were carving pumpkins on their own with chainsaws and chisels years ago, but my experience had been limited to kitchen paring knives.
But those little carving tool kits revolutionized Halloween for me. My only problem is, they’re not cheap. Okay… $10 isn’t that much, but I’ve broken more than one set… in ONE Halloween. And did I mention I’m cheap?
Now… watch my solution:
It’s been a big tradition around our house. Dad gets the first job of cleaning the pumpkin, piling the guts and seeds into a big bowl and passing the rest off to the others. Then dad gets the dirty work, the kids get the fun of carving and then mom….well we get the rest! For years my job has been the seeds. (more…)
Impress your neighbors by decorating up your house for Halloween. First choose your favorite Halloween pumpkin stencils and print it off on card stock. Get some thin craft foam from your local craft supplier and tape the printed stencil to it. Use a sharp carving knife purchased from the hardware store and start with your smallest sections. If you tackle the largest sections first your small parts will break. (more…)
As I do my research on pumpkin carving I realize that as I throw away the guts of the pumpkin that I’m missing out on some health advantages. Pumpkins are low in fat, low in calories and loaded with vitamins. (more…)
Having a Halloween office party? Here are some planning tips: (more…)
Here are preservation tips:
1) Vaseline: who would have ever thought that this slippery stuff would be the answer? Simply carve your pumpkin using scary pumpkin stencils and then take a generous scoop of Vaseline and line the entire pumpkin with the gel. Vaseline helps the inside flesh from dehydration. Don’t forget to cover the areas where you cut! This has been tested and the average life of a carved pumpkin is 9 days. (more…)
A pumpkin without lighting just doesn’t look right. It’s dull and boring…almost no Halloween spirit. Just think…how could your neighbours even see it in the dark?
Let’s discover ways in which you can light your pumpkin – the traditional ways and the smart ways! (more…)
Choosing the right pumpkin sounds like a silly topic. How can there be a “right pumpkin”? Are there wrong pumpkins? Are some pumpkins destined to great things while others will try to ruin your Halloween?
I don’t think you’ll end up with any pumpkin disasters, but there certainly are a few things to look for when if you’re planning on carving that little orange beast. You may want to jot down a few of the following notes before you pack up the family and head to the Pumpkin Patch. (more…)