Comments on: The Pumpkin Carving Tip that Will Change the Way You Carve Pumpkins Forever

By: Brandie

Brandie — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 18:27:46 +0000

This is a great idea! It keeps the top looking nice. Only thing is, the inside doesn’t fall right out, you still have to scrape it

By: Jazmine Rae Canfield

Jazmine Rae Canfield — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 17:29:18 +0000

Aloha, we just use the candle that has a battery so there is no flame to worry about.
I once saw a pumpkin carved like a coach. Big pretzels were used for wheels. What I don’t recall is what supported the pumpkin, maybe some metal rod through the lower part of the pumpkin? Any ideas? Jaz

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 01:41:38 +0000

In reply to Florafauna718. We've never had a problem that way, Flora, but we use tea lights and not votives, so they're really short. If you were going to use a taller candle, and were worried that it might be a problem, I would just cut a small triangle in the top of the pumpkin.

By: Florafauna718

Florafauna718 — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 12:58:31 +0000

Are you just using an electric tea light? If you actually burn a candle, doesn’t it smoke and/or burn the top surface of the pumpkin? I’m smelling it already…

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 07:18:49 +0000

In reply to Kim. Thank you so much. I never carved a pumpkin before in my life.. Am trying this! Next yr..

By: c

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 20:53:35 +0000

pushing a string of mini-lights into the pumpkin and plugging it into my porch outlet solves re-lighting wind blown candles. So much more effective with the opening in the bottom, no cord trailing down the outside of the pumpkin

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 06:17:13 +0000

I am so not a fan of gutting pumpkins…any method to make it easier is a winner in my book!

By: Joan

Joan — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 02:47:18 +0000

I have cut my pumpkins like for this years. It does work wonderfully and the pumpkin sits niece and even without rolling around.

By: Maz

Maz — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 22:17:18 +0000

Stabbing your pumpkin with a big Phillips screwdriver makes lovely twinkly star patterns 🙂 Samhain blessings to you all.

By: Ruby Little

Ruby Little — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:50:31 +0000

If you use a hacksaw or long knife you could cut it “flat” at the bottom, so that it doesn’t wobble and the light doesn’t peek out as easily. 🙂 You could also use a terracotta pot bottom to set it in, so that if it gets “nasty” at the bottom, it doesn’t get on your steps or porch (or other places) and still looks nice with the “holiday” theme.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:09:09 +0000

I just use spaghetti to light from the top down, i like my pumpkin to stand while i get and carve. That looks a bit rolly….

By: Jae

Jae — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 05:25:28 +0000

In reply to Sarah Yurga. hey cool!

By: Jae

Jae — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 05:24:47 +0000

In reply to Denise McCullough. ok, THAT is genius... I'm gonna try that :)

By: Lin Collins

Lin Collins — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 09:31:55 +0000

simply excellent

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 18:48:19 +0000

Such an awesome simple solution!

By: frannavaldez9399

frannavaldez9399 — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 18:19:07 +0000

Shut up!!! I’m so doing this this year!!

By: Sarah Yurga

Sarah Yurga — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 13:44:20 +0000

My dad used to do this through the 80’s. In addition to being easier to get a candle in, if you have a pumpkin that doesn’t sit straight, you can take pieces off the bottom to straighten it out.

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 13:29:04 +0000

In reply to cassy. I think you've misunderstood the article, Cassy. We're cutting the bottom out of the pumpkin here. No falling in to worry about. :)

By: cassy

cassy — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 11:09:06 +0000

In reply to Allison B. You have to cut the top at an angle in order to get it.on correctly, don't cut just straight thru or the top will just fall in ;)

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 01:42:46 +0000

In reply to Allison B. Yep. It's the simple things, isn't it? :)

By: Allison B

Allison B — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 18:01:53 +0000

OK that is border line genius. I always mess up the top and can’t get it back on perfectly.

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:55:50 +0000

In reply to nogard0. Good thinking!

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:55:11 +0000

In reply to Cynthia. Oh, that's a terrific idea, Cynthia! I have a bucket full of clear and coloured glass rocks! I'm on it!

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 08:15:12 +0000

Another great add on to your polka dots is to fill the holes with different colored glass rocks or marbles. The colors light up and have an amazing effect.

By: nogard0

nogard0 — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 07:14:58 +0000

i think the bottom could be used as a candle holder and not have light leaking out the bottom.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 15:46:13 +0000

Love this idea! And, it allows you to still carry it by the stem (vs having to carry it by picking it up with both hands if you cut the top off to scoop out seeds), so little ones might still be able to carry it.

By: Denise McCullough

Denise McCullough — Sun, 07 Sep 2014 21:20:15 +0000

Years ago I read somewhere to coat your cuts and the inside of the pumpkin with Vaseline. With much skepticism I tried it and you know what, my pumpkins lasted from about 2 weeks before Halloween to January.

By: Theresa-Capri + 3

Theresa-Capri + 3 — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 19:46:55 +0000

That is a great idea! It would make it so much easier to get the seeds and stuff out.

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 10:14:36 +0000

In reply to JoD. Woot! Look out, Martha! Heehee!

By: carolinedeeley@hotmail.com

carolinedeeley@hotmail.com — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 07:41:47 +0000

oooo I’m liking the spots! I’m not keen on monster faces (it scares my kiddies), but the spots are a fab idea!! Yeay 🙂

By: happyhooligans

happyhooligans — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 04:00:32 +0000

In reply to BaptismalGownsPlus. I didn't notice a difference in how long the pumpkin lasted. I think it sat out front for quite a while after hallowe'en, and it was ok. I've heard about the bleach trick, but I've never tried it. I only ever carve mine the night before Hallowe'en, and I just figure once it starts to go soft, it's time to pitch it in the compost bin.

By: JoD

JoD — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 03:33:17 +0000

Thanks for the idea. I did get this off google (where I unfortunately saw many more cut the bottom off tutorials). But if it makes you feel better, you’re right up there w/ Martha Stewart on the search results!

By: BaptismalGownsPlus

BaptismalGownsPlus — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 11:25:16 +0000

I love this idea! It looks like you don’t use the bottom of the pumpkin once it’s carved. Do you find that the pumpkin rots a little quicker since it’s sitting right on the ground? I am definitely doing this, but heard that ‘rinsing’ the inside of a pumpkin with a bleach/water solution preserved them a little longer. I look forward to your other posts!