Pumpkin Carving Party

There are so many activities to do here on Long Island for the fall.  Fall is the season of the harvest.  One thing that is fun for people of all ages to do to celebrate Halloween is carve pumpkins. 

Every year we gather our friends and family for a pumpkin carving party.  It is fun and relatively easy to do.

What you need:
Pumpkins
Pumpkin carving tools
Pumpkin carving patterns
Tape
Marker
Scissors
Tea lights, preferably battery operated
Garbage pail and bags

Here's how:

Invite all of your friends over for a BYOP Pumpkin Carving Party.

Set up a table for carving.  If you live in a warm climate do it outside.  Here at Homemade on Long Isalnd, we carve in the dining room.  I take cardboard to cover the table, move the chairs away and cover the table with plastic, disposable tablecloths.

Set out the tools and patterns.  I buy mine at local craft stores and megamarts.  If you want to re-use your patterns from year to year (and I do) make photocopies of each pattern.  You can also enlarge or shrink each pattern to fit the pumpkins.  I do this in advance so they are ready to go when everyone arrives.

Ask your friends to clean out the inside of the pumpkin before they come - it makes clean up A LOT easier.  I still provide a garbage can and bags in the room for those who forget.  Just do not fill the bags too much because you will be surprised how heavy pumpkin guts can be!!

Also set out tape to attach the patterns to the pumpkins.  You may also need scissors to cut the patterns to fit onto the pumpkin.  Some people use markers to help them figure out where they are cutting, so, provide them too.

Once everyone arrives, let them do their thing. The basic premise is to tape the pattern to the pumpkin, punch holes in the pumpkin using the poker tool to outline the pattern, then cut out the pattern using the saw tool. 

Once the pumpkins are done place the tea light inside and place the pumpkins outside together.  Take a photo to remember what a great job you all did.

I have a very wise friend who suggested using fake, carve-able pumpkins for this activity.  It has some advantages:
If you do not live in a place where you can get pumpkins, these are available at craft stores nationwide.
You do not have to clean it.
It does not rot.
You can keep it year after year, thus creating an ever growing collection.
They come in orange and white.

This year I carved 2 of these fake pumpkins.  They look great and I am excited about having them to re-use each year.  Just remember that you cannot use a real flame in them, you must use a battery operated light.  Here are what mine looked like when they are all done:

This is a fun way to get together with friends for a very seasonal activity.  This can also be a local activity - if you go to your local farms and pick the pumpkins. 

I made cupcakes and snacks themed for the season - the recipes are found on this blog.  We also serve pumpkin beer made at our local microbrew restaurant.  This makes the party even more local.

Try having your own party.  You may find the adults are reluctant at first, but once they see all the pumpkins done, I assure you they will come back year after year.