Basic Shapes Staged (Style 1+)

Style 1+ is Style 1 with a twist. Same classic jack-o’-lantern, same triangle eyes and jagged teeth, but this time you add something extra to make people stop and laugh.

The “plus” isn’t about more carving. It’s about staging. A prop, a setup, a gag. Or adding some paint. My Dad actually discovered this one. I couldn’t carve a pumpkin for my parents’ house one Halloween. He found these quick ideas online so the trick-or-treaters wouldn’t be disappointed. They’ve been a tradition of my parents’ display ever since.

*(Photo: My dad’s carvings: one pumpkin chewing on another. The chewed looks appropriately horrified.)*

Here are some of my favorites:

The puker. Carve a wide open mouth and pull the guts out through it onto the front step. Instant gross-out. Kids love it.

The muncher. Carve the mouth big enough to fit a small pumpkin inside it, like the big pumpkin is eating a little one. Even better if the little one has a terrified face.

The spider. Carve your jack-o’-lantern as usual, then add a set of long black pipe cleaner or wire legs to the sides so it looks like a giant spider. Stick googly eyes on if you want to go all the way.

The surprised pumpkin. Skip the scary face entirely. Give it wide round eyes and a big O-shaped mouth, then place it next to whatever it’s supposedly shocked about. A tiny fake mouse works great. The possibilities are only limited by what you can find at the dollar store. That’s honestly half the fun.

Shades: 2 (pumpkin skin + light through holes)

Pros:

Just as easy as Style 1. No stencil required.
Great for kids who want more than a plain jack-o’-lantern without learning a harder style.
Gets a reaction every time.

Cons:

Props can shift or fall over. Test your setup before display day.
Pumpkin will rot faster once cut open.

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