Bring a fall glow to the entire neighborhood this year by hosting a pumpkin carving party a week or so before the big day, complete with appetizers you can easily make and yummy treats. After all, before trick-or-treaters come to the door on Halloween, they’ll need something to light their way.
Plan your party
Whether you choose to craft a menu of your own or host the party as a potluck, you may want to make the gathering BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin). If weather and space allow, an outside pumpkin carving station with food and drinks inside is ideal.
For the carving station, cover tables with newspapers or brown wrapping paper for easier cleanup later. Lay out stencils, markers, and safe carving supplies for the group, along with a few spare pumpkins for practice. Now you’re almost ready to party!
Pumpkin carving tips
Decorating enough pumpkins to fill a patch is easy with a little planning. Keep these pumpkin carving suggestions in mind to keep the mess to a minimum and carving safe for a crowd.
Stock up on trash bags. They pinch-hit as makeshift smocks once holes are poked through the arms.
Consider setting up a station where little ones can paint mini pumpkins, or decorate them with markers, glitter, and glue.
Worried your pumpkin will be pooped before the big day? Dab petroleum jelly over the cut edges to preserve it as long as possible.
Perfect autumn-themed menu
Seasonally inspired but perfect for a crowd, start your autumn-themed menu off with spiced popcorn or caramelized nuts, served with warm apple cider. Think your pumpkin options are limited to dessert? Savory squash-based soups, stews, or even chili remove the chill from a fall night. Serve with a side of cornbread, and then finish off with a pumpkin roll, or make your own caramel or candied apples.
After all the carving is done, toss the leftover pumpkin seeds and seasonings of your choice into the oven at 250 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour for take-home bags of toasty treats (find great pumpkin-seed recipes online).
Host a pumpkin carving party
By Anne Marie Apollo-Noel
Bring a fall glow to the entire neighborhood this year by hosting a pumpkin carving party a week or so before the big day, complete with appetizers you can easily make and yummy treats. After all, before trick-or-treaters come to the door on Halloween, they’ll need something to light their way.
Plan your party
Whether you choose to craft a menu of your own or host the party as a potluck, you may want to make the gathering BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin). If weather and space allow, an outside pumpkin carving station with food and drinks inside is ideal.
For the carving station, cover tables with newspapers or brown wrapping paper for easier cleanup later. Lay out stencils, markers, and safe carving supplies for the group, along with a few spare pumpkins for practice. Now you’re almost ready to party!
Pumpkin carving tips
Decorating enough pumpkins to fill a patch is easy with a little planning. Keep these pumpkin carving suggestions in mind to keep the mess to a minimum and carving safe for a crowd.
Perfect autumn-themed menu
Seasonally inspired but perfect for a crowd, start your autumn-themed menu off with spiced popcorn or caramelized nuts, served with warm apple cider. Think your pumpkin options are limited to dessert? Savory squash-based soups, stews, or even chili remove the chill from a fall night. Serve with a side of cornbread, and then finish off with a pumpkin roll, or make your own caramel or candied apples.
After all the carving is done, toss the leftover pumpkin seeds and seasonings of your choice into the oven at 250 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour for take-home bags of toasty treats (find great pumpkin-seed recipes online).