Simple Steps for Carving Artificial Pumpkins

Artificial Halloween pumpkins may never have appeared in Charlie Brown's pumpkin patch, where he claimed to see the Great Pumpkin. Perhaps if these convenient Halloween craft pumpkins had been readily available, when cartoonist Charles Schultz created his beloved Peanuts comic strip, they might have.

However, today's Halloween holiday shoppers can easily find these hollow foam artificial pumpkins at nearly any craft supply shop or big-box discount store.

What are the advantages of carving artificial pumpkins, instead of live pumpkins?

Although family Halloween traditions may have called for trips to outdoor pumpkin patches or local fruit and vegetable stands to pick out Halloween pumpkins, many modern holiday shoppers choose to purchase artificial pumpkins instead.

The new synthetic Halloween pumpkins are lightweight, clean and long-lasting. They do not become soggy or mushy. Artificial pumpkins contain no messy pulp, seeds or insects, so they are ideal for displaying either indoors or out.

Artificial pumpkins are, of course, much safer for families with pets and small children, as they do not require actual flames for lighting.

Often, an artificial pumpkin may even cost less than the actual pulp-filled kind.

Most Halloween crafters contest that artificial pumpkins are considerably easier to carve than real pumpkins, particularly for detailed designs.

How do you carve an artificial pumpkin? Here are some simple instructions for carving and displaying an artificial pumpkin for Halloween.

Carving an Artificial Pumpkin: Gather Your Materials and Supplies

To carve an artificial Halloween pumpkin, you will need a basic pumpkin carving kit. Convenient cordless artificial pumpkin carving tool kits (including simple drill and saw attachments) are available at hardware stores, Halloween holiday shops and big-box discount store for $10 to $30.

You will also need a battery operated candle or a corded light bulb, if you wish to light your artificial pumpkin for Halloween. Never use a flame candle in an artificial pumpkin, as these foam items are extremely flammable.

Grab a washable marker as well.

Carving an Artificial Pumpkin: Prepare Your Work Space

Choose an open work space, such as a kitchen counter or a picnic table, for carving your artificial Halloween pumpkin. Cover the craft surface with plenty of newspapers or a large disposable plastic tablecloth.

Carving an Artificial Pumpkin: Pick a Pattern

Usually, artificial pumpkin carving kits come with assorted pumpkin carving patterns, although you can certainly sketch your own. Pumpkin carving patterns are also available online for free downloading and printing.

Artificial pumpkins offer innumerable carving design ideas. Choose from comical or scary faces, celebrity caricatures, Halloween scenes, lettered words and even whole animal designs.

Follow instructions for transferring your selected Halloween pumpkin carving pattern to your artificial pumpkin. Usually, this means you will either poke holes through the pattern into your artificial pumpkin, impress carbon paper lines onto it, or draw the design freehand with a washable marker.

Carving an Artificial Pumpkin: Begin Cutting

Use the pumpkin carving kit tools to carve an opening in the base of your artificial pumpkin. This will accommodate your battery-operated candle or corded light bulb.

Next, carve the openings in the Halloween pumpkin carving design you have chosen. The drill and saw attachments will allow you to create texture, shading and layering - depending upon the depth to which you carve your artificial pumpkin. Some sections may require you to cut all the way through the foam, while others may be cut only to a certain depth.

Displaying an Artificial Pumpkin

After you have carved your artificial pumpkin, you will be ready to display it for Halloween. Choose a somewhat sheltered spot, if possible, as a lightweight foam pumpkin may easily be toppled by a gust of wind. Add a few small stones inside your artificial pumpkin to give it some weight, or affix the base with craft putty, gardening clay or a loop of tape.

Storing an Artificial Pumpkin

Because artificial pumpkins are constructed of synthetic foam, they may be easily boxed and stored for countless years.

Wrap your foam Halloween pumpkin in a cloth bag, clean newsprint or packing pellets. Do not use plastic wrap or bubble wrap, as this may adhere to the artificial pumpkin's surface. Pack the pumpkin in a sturdy box for storage.

Avoid storing artificial pumpkins in too-hot areas to prevent melting.

Easy and Economical Artificial Pumpkins

In the months preceding Halloween each year, Halloween holidays shops and big-box discount stores generally offer an assortment of pre-carved, plug-in artificial pumpkins for sale. Although purchasers may only choose from limited designs, these artificial pumpkins are certainly an economical and easy alternative.

Smart holiday shoppers pick up these artificial pumpkins at deep discounts in the days following Halloween and store them for the following October.