Last updated on March 20th, 2024
Every year Halloween allows you to carve pumpkins and create something spookier than before. People try many pumpkin carving ideas to show their creative skills. You may also want to impress your friends and colleagues with something unique. May be that’s why you are here!
It can be daunting to come up with something unique. DIY Halloween décor guides are available on the internet, but if you wish to try something different, you should try the following pumpkin carving ideas this year.
To make this year even more special, you may also want to consider adding a selection of personalised Halloween gifts and treats to celebrate in style!
Pumpkin Carving Guide:
Make sure you know how to carve pumpkins before you check some unique pumpkin designs. The process begins with choosing the right pumpkin. You will also need tools like a carving saw, a serrated knife, and some common carving tools.
Once you are ready with the supply, hold the pumpkin tight and cut it from the top. Now, use the knife or a spoon with sharp edges to scoop out its seeds. Remove as much flesh as possible and you will get a hollow pumpkin for carving.
Not everyone is good at drawing the designs. Therefore, most of the people use templates to carve perfect designs. You can also pick a template and follow the template lines to punch holes. Remove the template and now use your knife to carve along the punched dots or lines. Thus, you will get a perfect design on the pumpkin for your Halloween décor plans.
Best pumpkin carving ideas 2024:
- Carve Your Name on it:
Source: hgtv.com
Let’s begin with something simple and impressive. You can carve your friends or your own name on the pumpkins. It is okay if you cannot draw impressive fonts. Use lettered stencils or just draw the design anyway. It won’t take too much time and you will get something unique to decorate your house this Halloween.
- Turn that Pumpkin into a Spooky Owl:
Source: removeandreplace.com
Most of the horror movies run owl’s hoot in the backdrop when something weird is about to happen. It spooks people and that’s why carving a spooky owl on the pumpkin is a great idea. First, carve two circles to create the owl’s eyes and then a triangular nose at the centre of both circles.
Carve designs of Vs to design feathers and slightly peel the upper skin of the pumpkin in the shape of an owl’s wings. Use a sharp knife to carve those wings and you can add more designs to make it look angry or funny.
- Decorative Pumpkins for Home:
Source: craftynest.com
There is no other simple way of describing it, but it’s the simplest pumpkin carving idea. Many people don’t consider it because it’s too simple. Get a drilling machine with different size bits and use it to create a hole in the pumpkin.
The simplest design you can try is the 7-hole flower design. Create a large hole in the middle and six small holes around it. Decorate the entire pumpkin with the same type of flowers. You can drill the holes along the ribs of the pumpkin. Ensure each hole is different in size otherwise the design will look pretty ordinary.
- Monster Pumpkin:
Source: flair.be
Although it may seem a bit tough, you won’t face any trouble in carving a hungry monster. First, carve two wide and angry eyes and a mouth. One side of the mouth should be narrow and the other side should be wide enough to accommodate another small pumpkin.
Give the small pumpkin the look of a scared bunny. You can go check angry pumpkin and scared pumpkin designs online to carve some unique designs. Do not forget to fit the tiny pumpkin inside the wide mouth of the large pumpkin. Thus, your angry pumpkin monster will be
ready!
- Jack Skellington:
Source: Euroresidentes.com
The Nightmare Before Christmas featured many exciting characters, which people still remember. Jack Skellington was the main protagonist in this movie. You can carve Jack’s face on your pumpkin and spook your friends with this unique design.
Carve two wide holes to create Jack’s eyes and two tiny holes for his nose. Use a serrated knife to slice a one-inch wide mouth. Create tiny slits above and below the wide mouth to give your pumpkin a perfect Jack Skellington look.
- Mickey and Mini Mouse Pumpkins:
Source: Family.disney.com
It is tough to find a person who doesn’t like Mickey and Mini mouse. Both are iconic Disney characters and you can carve them on pumpkins. You will need some assistance from templates for these two designs. Avoid a template if you can draw Mickey and Mini’s face on plain paper.
Use a pencil and tracing paper to draw the faces. Now, pick your pumpkin carving tools and cut the designs. It will take just a few minutes and you will have Mickey and Mini Mouse pumpkins for Halloween decorations.
- Cookie-Cutter Designs:
Source: Playpennies.com
You can carve anything you want once the pumpkin is empty. If you’re an artist, you may not find it daunting, however you may face a little difficulty if you only carve pumpkins occasionally. The best way to avoid any issues of drawing a design is to use a cookie cutter. Go to the local market and pick up some impressive cookie-cutter designs.
Hold the cookie cutter over the pumpkin and carve its design on the pumpkin using a mallet. It will easily get into the pumpkin’s hard skin and cut the design. Push the carved section inside to get it out and then illuminate that pumpkin to check how the design looks. It will look impressive for sure!
- Pumpkin Witch:
Source: Extremepumpkins.com
It’s probably the spookiest design you can try this Halloween. Do not cut the pumpkin’s stem because it will be the spooky nose of the witch. Carve two wide eyes, but don’t remove internal flesh. Create two circles off the pumpkin’s skin and fit them in those wide eyes as scarring cornea.
Just like the angry monster’s mouth, this pumpkin witch’s mouth should be narrow from one end and wider from the other end. Give the face some sharp teeth and your pumpkin witch is ready. Apply a wig and then put a witch hat above the face. It will scare anyone who enters your house alone!
All of these listed pumpkin carving ideas are easy to try at home. You can carve some designs by simply using a sharp knife and pumpkin template. So, start practising these unique pumpkin designs now.
As always feel free to leave any questions or comments below and Happy Halloween!
Sadia Khan
Sadia is a mum of four whom in her spare time is an avid reader, passionate writer and loves utilising her creative side, whether it's party planning, preparing props or arts & craft projects. Her creative flair has helped her develop great content for an article, ebook or a blog post. She is an enthusiastic writer who loves to research and write about varying topics.
