Family Traditions : Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party
Hands down my favorite Halloween tradition is our annual pumpkin carving party with our family! I have memories of being a kid, thinking up intricate designs that would end up taking me forever to carve, and my mom roasting pumpkin seeds in the oven. Oh, how I wish I had her patience.
I think it’s funny then, that my sister abhors pumpkin carving. Did we not have the same childhood?! But, she is always a trooper and she and her boys take part in pumpkin carving with us every year. Our tradition goes a little something like this: my sister complains about pumpkin guts but still has fun and carves an impressive pumpkin. My nephews create extravagant, over-the-top designs that look incredible, but take forever. Jeff and I take turns grabbing knives away from Alex and don’t finish our pumpkins until after he goes to bed. My dad helps handle the big knives and repeatedly tells us to be careful. My mom runs around helping, providing moral support, and trying to keep pumpkin goo off the furniture. All in all, we make a great team, and great memories (and pumpkins!) are made, too!
If you’ve never had a pumpkin carving party, it is a festive and creative way to celebrate Halloween with family and friends! Here are the essential elements to consider when planning one:
Invitations: Whether you send a text or a fancy invitation, encourage guests to bring their own pumpkins. This way everyone will have the size, shape, and color of pumpkin they want. BYOP (unpopular opinion - I like the warty ones)!
Decorations: If your house isn’t already decked out, decorate the carving area or main gathering place with Halloween-themed decorations like spider webs, skeletons, and mini pumpkins to create a festive atmosphere.
Table Coverings: Use disposable tablecloths, newspapers, or even trash bags to cover the tables where guests will be carving. This makes cleanup easier – just wrap up the mess, and toss!
Carving Tools: Supply carving tools, including scoops, carving knives, and safety tools like pumpkin saws. Make sure to have a bowl or two on the table for all the pumpkin guts.
Design Templates: Offer a selection of pumpkin carving design templates for guests to choose from. You can find printable templates online or create your own. Conversely, if guests want to draw their own designs, make sure to have some dry-erase markers on hand. This prevents the inevitable permanent marker lines that get left on the pumpkin.
Safety: Provide safety instructions on how to carve pumpkins properly, especially if children are involved. Keep a first-aid kit on hand just in case. For young children, provide paint or markers to draw on their pumpkins, or other Halloween crafts so they don’t feel left out!
Displaying Pumpkins: Have plenty of battery-powered votive candles on hand to make your pumpkins shine. If your pumpkins will be displayed inside, you can rub petroleum jelly on the cut parts to help preserve the pumpkin. If they will be displayed outside, try olive oil instead to protect our animal friends.
Snacks and Refreshments: Serve snacks, finger foods, and refreshments like apple cider, hot chocolate, and pumpkin-themed treats to keep everyone fueled and in the Halloween spirit. Pumpkin beer or apple cider mules are a nice addition for the grownups.
Music: Create a Halloween-themed playlist with spooky tunes to add to the ambiance. Consider playing Halloween movies in the background as well.
Prizes: Award small prizes, ribbons, or candy to winners. Categories could include Most Creative, Scariest, and Funniest. Remember to take lots of pictures of your pumpkin masterpieces!
Cleanup: Be prepared for cleanup after the carving is done. Have garbage bags and cleaning supplies on hand to tidy up the carving area. Black kitchen towels or washcloths are ideal for stain-free cleanup.
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