Pumpkin decorating ideas for Halloween

Halloween is almost here again, and if you're like many people, but will also be a lantern pumpkin for Halloween. Carved vegetable lantern, or Jack O'Lanterns as they are often known, are part of an ancient tradition that originated with the Celts. However, the original lanterns made by the Celts in Europe were usually made from turnips, swedes or mangelwurzels. Based Halloween pumpkins, lanterns became popular only relatively recently, after the feast of Halloween began to be widely celebrated in the United States, where pumpkins are plentiful. They have since gained popularity in the rest of the world thanks to the relative ease with which it can be carved, and the bright orange glow with the light they produce.

Pumpkins are very versatile and can be carved and decorated carved in many ways and is very easy to produce a lantern that will make a nice addition to your Halloween decorations.

There are two basic approaches you can take to decorate your pumpkin. The first is to carve a face or other design in the flesh, and the second is to paint the surface of the pumpkin. You might then like to embellish it further. Of course, you can always combine these approaches, and produce a richer and unusual pumpkin!

Carving your pumpkin

Halloween pumpkins are usually carved, so they can be used as lanterns. Carving a pumpkin can be as simple as creating a couple of triangular eyes and a mouth, or, if you're feeling adventurous, you can make a more complex features intricate lantern pumpkin or other reasons, such as cats, spiders, ghosts, etc., or even non-Halloween reasons. To carve your pumpkin, cut the top (if you're going to light a candle) or down (to provide access to an electric light cord), scrape the flesh, draw your design on the surface of the pumpkin, and cut around the edges with a sharp knife or other carving tool. May find it helpful to peel the inner surface of the pumpkin back the areas that will be cut. Your pumpkin is then ready to be turned on.

You can design your own pumpkin carving pattern, or you can use one of many that are available (often free) online. Pumpkincarving.com is a site that I recommend, if you are looking for other ideas and inspiration.

Paint the pumpkin

Painted Halloween pumpkins are not as common as the carved variety, but they are becoming very popular. Painting your pumpkin gives you more flexibility than carving, and you can create stunning painted Halloween designs that are guaranteed to get a reaction. Do not worry if you think you can not paint - no need to be an artist to create beautiful painted Halloween pumpkins! See my website (link in resource box below) for details of an excellent guide to pumpkin painting, called Pumpkin Painting, Anyone can do it. Really! With this practical guide, you will be producing brightly painted pumpkin masterpieces in no time! Painted pumpkins are also very popular with children as - as opposed to carved pumpkins - they can create their own pumpkin designs very safely and with minimal assistance.

Spiff up your pumpkin More

If you really want to go into town, you can revive your carved or painted pumpkin even more. Try sticking on some glitter or sequins, or draped with strands of glittering beads. Just be sure not to use flammable materials.

Use one or all of these pumpkin decorating ideas, and soon you'll have a very scary Halloween pumpkin that will make a fantastic center for your home! ......