Pumpkin carving is a messy business, there’s no way around it. But when scraping and tracing runs a little too long or becomes a little too difficult, it can be hard to keep the kiddos engaged. Have no fear, though, the internet’s favorite grandma, Barbara Costello, or Babs for short, is here to help make this Halloween tradition simple, easy and fun for all ages.
In a now-viral Instagram Reel, @brunchwithbabs shares her seven do’s and don’ts of pumpkin carving.
- Carve from the bottom. If you, like me, have ever struggled for way too long to get your candle into the pumpkin and then light it, this one is a godsend. When you carve from the bottom, you can simply hold the stem and slip the pumpkin right over the already-lit candle.
- Hold the pumpkin in your lap to carve. No more holding your breath as you watch your 10-year-old take a knife to a moving target. Holding the pumpkin in your lap makes for a much steadier surface.
- Use a red dry-erase marker to sketch your design. Stop painstakingly punching holes through a template to create the outline of a design. With a dry-erase marker, you can quickly draw any design you choose and wipe off the excess if you miss a spot.
- Use a hand mixer to clean out your pumpkin. As Babs so brilliantly displays in her video, using a hand mixer cuts the time you’ll spend shoveling out pumpkin guts in half.
- Use pumpkin carving cookie cutters and a rubber mallet to carve. Regular heavy-duty cookie cutter can work too. Hearts can make perfect eyes and triangles an ideal nose.
- Cover all cut surfaces with Vaseline. Nothing stinks quite as much (literally and figuratively) as stepping outside to see your pumpkin rotting on your doorstep. By covering exposed surfaces with Vaseline, you can keep your pumpkin plump and happy for up to two weeks.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon on the inside top of your pumpkin. If you like the smell of cinnamon brooms you’ll love getting a whiff of this sweet spice smell each time you light your candle.
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If you hadn’t thought of half of the simple hacks on this list you aren’t alone. Babs’ comment section is filled with people in awe of these tips. One commenter added, “Oh hello I was today years old when I realized I’ve been making the jack-o-lanterns upside down my entire life,” while another joked, “My entire childhood was a lie.”
Babs’ wisdom doesn’t stop with pumpkins, though. From cleaning and gardening hacks to delicious recipes and meal plan moments, there’s always something to learn from Babs. If you are looking for some original pumpkin carving design inspiration, check out these pregnancy-themed pumpkins sure to give you and your neighbors a laugh.
style="color:var(--color-dark-gray600)">Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
