Date: 2 Nov 2009 Comments: 0

It’s obvious that Halloween is close at hand when you start to see Halloween pumpkins making an appearance in front yards and in seasonal decorations. The annual fright-fest may only come once a year but the festival of carving pumpkins and making jack-o’-lanterns — as well as all the devilish decor that Halloween is famous for — make the spooky season second only to Christmas as the moment for domestic decoration.

We’re fortunate that Halloween takes place during the fall with all its gorgeous rich autumnal color that comes from the amazing spectacle of the changing of the leaves. Pumpkins play their part in this colorful show with their deep orange colors that complement the seasonal palette so remarkably. Many people prefer to carve biggerlet’s not ignore the smaller varieties that are sometimes used in cooking: this is a period that makes use of tempting pumpkin recipes. We’re accustomed to eating pumpkin pie near Thanksgiving, but there a lot of other dishes that use up the pumpkin flesh that’s left behind after our carving efforts, such as bread, cakes and soup.

If you’re planning to put your hand to carving your pumpkins at home, there are specially designed carving tools you can buy to make different shapes and help you take out the fleshy middle of the fruits. You always need to make sure to be careful when you’re handling sharp tools, of course — and let only the grown-ups do all the cutting. Then the children can amuse themselves decorating the pumpkins afterwards.

Pumpkins may seem tough and hard wearing when new, but inevitably they will decay, especially when placed outside. To be sure that your ghoulish gourds have as long a display life as possible, don’t begin carving them too early on in case they start drying out or decayinghelps as well to place them somewhere out of the sun.

Are you pumpkin carving for the first time? If so, start simple at first and avoid going for a pattern that’s too complicated. You’ll discover that the ghostly glow of a traditional jack-o’-lantern is quite impressive even with a basic pattern. If you’re more experienced or feel like having a go at something more unique, you can print your pattern on paper and draw the shape onto the pumpkin’s skin with a marker or cut around the edge.

Finally, don’t feel obliged to carve your pumpkin at all if you’d rather not. There are loads of amusing looks you can achieve simply by decorating its surface. You can make impressive designs with paint and stickers that will make your jack-o’-lanterns marvelously memorable.

Are you planning to give a Halloween party this year? Don’t forget to check out this great selection of Halloween games for kids online.