What’s Halloween without pumpkins?
Many of us, however, lack the skill to bring the big fruits to life. So rather than display a hilarious attempt at pumpkin artistry, some simply leave a plain old orange gorge on the porch as a beacon for kids.
But that’s not very “haunted mansion” now, is it?
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So this year, we scoured the internet for the most creative and fun – not to mention scary – ways for you to dress up your pumpkin this Halloween. From the simple to elaborate and everything in between, here are some of the most unique ideas for every pumpkin artist and Halloween enthusiast out there.
Man-eating pumpkins
Skill level: Easy
Any pumpkin can be made scarier by adding a few props like human limbs. Carve out a mean face on your pumpkin and place any prop body part – like a hand, arm or foot – inside its mouth and light it up. To add even more effect, put some fake blood in your pumpkin’s mouth and on the limb.
Halloween hedgehog
Skill level: Easy
This is a great idea for kids. Christmas is not too far after Halloween, so why not get your tree lights out early and incorporate them into your Halloween decor? All you need are tree lights and a stuffed hedgehog and you’re good to go.
Pineapple O’lantern
Skill level: Easy
Put a twist on the traditional jack-o’-lantern and use a pineapple. All you need to do it carve out the inside, give it a face and insert a light. The texture of the pineapple already makes your pumpkin look scary enough.
Colour me spooked
Skill level: Easy
This idea is less about the carving and more about the fun things you can do by mixing and matching lights to make your pumpkin heads stand out. While the idea works with one pumpkin, using several will give you the opportunity to play with colour and make more of an impact with trick-or-treaters.
Teen pumpkin
Skill level: Easy
High school was a scary time so it would make sense to add a little humour into your horror. This creation is as easy as giving your teen pumpkin some simple round eyes and a smile with pop can tabs as braces. Bring it to the next level by adding glasses, little red pimples and a baseball cap.
Emoji pumpkins
Skill level: Easy
You don’t need to be an artist to recreate emojis. What you’ll need is some paint, a steady hand and a basic concept of shapes and you’re good to go. Consult your smartphone for more emoji faces.
Jack-o’-lantern in a box
Skill level: Medium
The pumpkin heads are pretty elaborate, but they don’t have to be. It’s the illusion of a head in a box that makes the display creepy. Don’t forget to add a bit of lighting to enhance the creep factor. These pumpkins were a part of the “Rise of the jack-o’-lantern” exhibition in California in 2014. The artists used vinegar to preserve the pumpkins, however, water can be used if you only plan on having the display up on Halloween night.
Puking pumpkin version 2.0
Skill level: Medium
The old puking pumpkin display has traditionally used the pumpkin’s own guts to create the effect of the gorge throwing up its insides. However, The Bearded Science Guy has taken it to a whole other level by incorporating science. Just by using a few household items and some food colouring, you too can achieve the neon goop oozing from your pumpkin’s mouth.
Halloween health scare
Skill level: Medium
What’s more scary than high cholesterol? In fact it’s so scary, this Instagram user turned two pumpkins into a McDonald’s burger and fry combo by using a bit of paint and glued-on props. Many of what’s used can already be found in your house – like material from old clothing – or at your local dollar store.
Creepy crawly pumpkin
Skill level: Medium
If you want to keep the candy you bought all to yourself, then turning your pumpkin into a big creepy eight legged freak is the way to go. Stop by the Halloween store and pick up some gross furry spider legs, spider-like eyes, fangs and extra fur. Paint your pumpkin black and start gluing the pieces together with a hot glue gun. Take it one step further by adding a spider web and other little plastic spiders and you have yourself a masterpiece.
Political pumpkins
Skill level: Difficult
Let’s celebrate one of the most terrifying presidential races in recent history with portraits of the candidates themselves: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. The kids may not understand, but these pumpkins will have mommy and daddy shaking in their boots.
Dino gorges
Skill level: Difficult
If you have the time, patience and imagination, then this dinosaur fossil pumpkin puzzle piece is right up your alley. If you want to cut down on time, ask some friends and fellow artists to help you out. If you really want to go all out, play some dinosaur and jungle sounds in the background to make your lawn feel like a real-life Jurassic Park.
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