Although a menacing face is traditional (and we do like to stick to a tradition), other designs also look very striking when lit from within - click through our alternative Halloween pumpkin lantern ideas...
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See the basic Halloween pumpkin carving technique
More ideas for Halloween decorations
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Instead of cutting holes into the wall of the pumpkin, you can create patterns by scoring a design into the outside. Hollow out the pumpkin (see the basic Halloween pumpkin carving technique), then use a vegetable peeler to scrape away about half of the thickness of the pumpkin in your chosen design. The light from inside will shine through, giving a golden glow to your design.
You could use this technique to highlight your door number to arriving guests.
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More ideas for Halloween decorations
Halloween events for 2014
Find more ideas for a fun Halloween
You can also use the scoring technique to carve someone's name, or a favourite phrase (as Country Living did here with the motto you find on the spine of the magazine). You might like 'Happy Halloween'.
Use a vegetable peeler to scrape away about half of the thickness of the pumpkin. Add a tealight or a candle stub, to create that golden glow.
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More ideas for Halloween decorations
Halloween events for 2014
Find more ideas for a fun Halloween
Hollow out the pumpkin (see the basic Halloween pumpkin carving technique). Cut round holes through the wall of the pumpkin to give an all-over polka-dot pattern. Alternatively, cut out thin vertical slices.
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More ideas for Halloween decorations
Halloween events for 2014
Find more ideas for a fun Halloween
For children who are too young to be trusted with a knife, or for locations where you can't keep an eye on the flame, painting a face or design on a pumpkin is ideal.
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More ideas for Halloween decorations
Halloween events for 2014
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Don't discard the flesh you scoop out as you make your pumpkin lantern - or keep another just for cooking with. Add scooped-out flesh to soups, risottos, stews... click here for all of our delicious pumpkin recipes
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See the basic Halloween pumpkin carving technique
More ideas for Halloween decorations
Find more ideas for a fun Halloween
Posted by 79082Carla Griscti
Posted by 11280Adrienne Wyper