Oh my gourd! It’s finally pumpkin carving season! Stop by your neighborhood Bartell’s and pick up pumpkin party essentials like carving kits, stencils and snacks to share!
Whether you’re entering a carving contest, planning a fun family activity or a crafty date night, here are a few ideas to try out!

The traditional take with a twist:
When you carve the scariest face you can think of, take it up a notch and put a bowl inside with the light. When you’re ready to impress all who see your masterpiece, place some dry ice inside and let the smoke roll!

Bewitched and Bedazzled:
Add sparkle and accessorize to pump it up from hag-ulous to fabulous! Use glitter, rhinestones and whatever crafty bits & bobs strike your fancy to make your creation spook-tacular!
Film buff? Recreate the look of your favorite villain (or misunderstood anti-hero depending on your POV) through the strategic use of office supplies. Push-Pin Head anyone?
If fanciful decorating is more your speed, accentuate your pumpkin’s stem with a fun paint job, add yarn and as much sparkle as your glue job can hold to serve up your best unicorn, or as your dad would say, uni-gourd.

Painted Pumpkins:
Not into knife based decoration? Let the pumpkin be your canvas! Literally! Unleash your inner Dali’, or Martha Stewart and use paints to turn your squash from frump-kin to gourd-geous. It’s a good thing!
For the best results, paint your pumpkin with one color at a time and let it dry completely. A base coat helps subsequent coats stick, and can add depth of color. Acrylic or spray paints are best to use, and can help your effort withstand the elements.