A fantasy of pumpkins: 10 creative pumpkin-carving ideas

When it comes to Halloween, if you aren’t over-the-top, you’re not doing it right. Take a journey with us through an enchanted forest where the pumpkins are creative yet frightfully easy to make. Follow our simple instructions to create the perfect jack-o’-lantern from our top 10 pumpkin-carving ideas.
To make most of our jack-o’-lanterns, all you need are the basic art skills (like gluing and tracing circles and squares) that you mastered as a kid. An electric pumpkin carver makes them scary-easy to create, but don’t fear—any of these pumpkin-carving ideas can be done with the tools you already have at home.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.
Died bride and doomed groom

Set the altar for shivery fun with this gruesome twosome who are ready for their Halloween wedding day. With a snazzy top hat for the groom and some gauzy wrapping for the bridal veil, you’ll be on your way to creating your own mummy pumpkin man and wife—until death, or rot, they do part.
Download the died bride and doomed groom pumpkin instructions
Monstroctopus

A single baleful turnip eye keeps watch. Curling banana pepper tentacles are primed to grab the legs of those who wander off the beaten path. And a pointy red pepper tongue sticks out between crooked asparagus tip teeth. No chance of YOUR house getting egged with Monstroctopus on duty this Halloween night. Who knew vegetables could be so gleefully evil? Actually, my kids did…
Haunted mouse houses

To build these mini mice mansions, gather a few oddly shaped pumpkins, a carving tool, twigs, dried leaves, a hot glue gun or craft glue, and a few faux mice (shiver).
To make the houses, cut holes in the pumpkins for the door and windows. Then break your twigs until they’re all similar in length, proportional to the holes. Glue twigs together to make the window frames, shutters, doors and ramps. To attach the twig accessories, insert the twig ends into the pumpkins and glue to secure. Scatter dried leaves around the base of each pumpkin house. Add your friendly woodland creatures to complete the scene.
Something wicked trio

Macbeth’s witches have nothing on these ladies. But don’t worry, not much toil or trouble is needed to turn these girly gourds into midnight hags. Reenact their boiling cauldron scene with a few wickedly fun ingredients—eye of newt, alas, is not included.
Cinderella's pumpkin carriage

The subtle blue-gray of this pumpkin lends an air of mystery to this charmed carriage. Fancy belt and jewelry findings and a few pieces of hardware come together to create a magical midnight ride.
Mowleficent fowl

A parliament of screech owls will liven up your night of fright and keep watch over the trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood. We’ll show you how to create these creatures on the fly with just a few simple materials.
Reek and Shriek

This adorably ugly couple has found true Halloween love. To duplicate this duo of doom, first you’ll need to peruse your pumpkin patch for a long, curvy-stemmed pumpkin or gourd and a warty-fleshed pumpkin (such as the knucklehead variety).
To make Reek, hollow out the warty pumpkin and carve him a grin. Attach mini pumpkins, cut in half, for his eyes. For his teeth and antenna, look around your house for odds and ends—especially your refrigerator. For example, we used pieces of white asparagus to make our Reek’s teeth. Attach what you find with florist wire or glue.
To make Shriek, first roll a long-stemmed pumpkin or gourd on its side until the stem “nose” is the perfect angle. Lop off a piece of the new “bottom” with your carving knife so the pumpkin won’t roll back. Next, carve a shallow little smirk under her nose. Then grab a costume witch’s hat, some leafy lettuce from your fridge and 2 mini pumpkins for her hat, hair and eyes. Attach them with toothpicks or florist wire.
Madame l’Osterhead

We went all out to create Madame’s body, but this scene is equally spooky, and much easier to duplicate, if you just make hands to hold a surprised pumpkin head. We’ll show you how to do both.
Mr. Pumpkin and damsels in distress

To create this scene in which the lady gourds are looking up in fright, place this ghoulishly grinning pumpkin on a cake stand or a small stack of books. Or, if you want to take a friendlier approach, you can turn Mr. Pumpkin into a lounge singer with the damsel trio singing backup.
Skully in stitches

Sew up this skeleton’s smile with some heavy-gauge black florist wire. But allow a few days between all the steps so he can thoroughly dry out.
To make Skully, start with a white pumpkin, a melon baller, craft glue, black glitter, heavy-gauge black florist’s wire and wire snippers. Scoop out shallow circles with the melon baller for his eyes and a curved line for his smile. Let him dry overnight. Turn him so his face is facing up, then fill in the carved areas with a coat of craft glue and cover the glue completely with the black glitter. Let him dry again. Finally, insert 5 curved pieces of florist wire above and below his mouth to form his seemly, or rather seamly, stitches.
Shop Halloween
See allYou may also like
See more-
Mother's Day What to Write in a Mother's Day Card
Tell her just how much she means using this guide from Hallmark writers.
-
Mother's Day How to Wrap Flowers for Mother’s Day
Flower bouquets are a favorite gift for Mother's Day—and no wonder! This time of year, you can find amazing flowers e...
-
Gift Wrapping Giftology: how to wrap a Mother's Day gift
Make Mom’s day with these simply stunning Mother’s Day gift-wrapping ideas. Watch our video tutorials ...
-
Mother's Day How to Write an Appreciation Letter for Mom
No one has loved you (or put up with you) like Mom has. Or let’s say it wasn’t “Mom”—maybe it’s been a stepmom, grand...
-
Drinks Perfect for brunch: Easy, refreshing beer cocktails
You don’t have to remind yourself it’s 5 o’clock somewhere: The red beer, beermosa, and radler are perfect beer co...
-
Valentine's Day Free Printable Valentine’s Day Coloring Pages You'll Love
Valentine’s Day is all about love. Not just the romantic kind, either. More and more, people are using Valentine’s Da...
-
Valentine's Day What to Write in a Valentine's Day Card
Hallmark writers offer up inspiration to help you find just the right loving words to add when you sign a valentine.
-
Birthday What to Write in a Birthday Card
When it comes to signing birthday cards, there are people who have no problem picking up a pen and adding a warm, per...
-
Christmas Christmas Wishes: What to Write in a Christmas Card
Get sample messages, tips and watch our new video guide to write the perfect Christmas card.
-
Anniversary What to Write in an Anniversary Card
Here’s to lasting love! From still-newlyweds toasting with wine glasses they opened on their weddin...
-
Lifestyle How to journal: 5 reasons, 3 ways, and 9+ styles
Start journaling today with our easy guide on how and why to journal
-
Christmas Baby’s First Christmas: Making it a holiday to remember
All of a sudden, you’re more than just a couple: You’re a family. Or a bigger family. Baby’s first Christmas means...
-
Anniversary Anniversary gifts by year
There are a lot of anniversary gift lists out there. Most hit the major milestones with traditional and modern the...
-
Father's Day Father's Day Without Dad: Remembering Lost Loved Ones with New Traditions
For many of us, “father” is synonymous with love, guidance and support. That love does not dissipate after our fat...
-
Family How to Support Foster Families
It’s so exciting when someone you know welcomes a child into their lives, whether by birth, adoption, or fostering...
-
Baby Gifts for New Parents: Thoughtful Things to Give and Do
We know what to get for babies: onesies and blankies and binkies. But what about the newly overwhelmed moms and da...
-
Kwanzaa What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa, a festival of lights rich in African symbolism, takes place each year from December 26th through January ...
-
Kwanzaa Kwanzaa Wishes: Connect with a Kwanzaa Card
Kwanzaa, a festival of lights rich in African symbolism, takes place each year from December 26th through January ...
-
Hanukkah Hanukkah Wishes: What to Write in a Hanukkah Card
Hanukkah is a lighthearted festival filled with rich traditions, many of which include food, fun, family and frien...
-
Christmas What is Three Kings Day?
Each January 6th, Latinx families around the world celebrate Three Kings Day— Día de los Tres Reyes Magos...