Although carving turnips is the Halloween tradition here in Scotland, the average household will carve a pumpkin - this is because it is much easier to carve and either way you have a ton of creative freedom.
To get started all you need is the root vegetable of your choice, a reliable set of carving tools, a splash of patience but firstly a little inspiration, assuming you want to create art beyond the average Jack-O-Lantern.
To make your carved gourd as ‘gourd-eous’ as it can be this year, here are 13 brilliant pumpkin carving ideas you can try this Halloween - ranging from easy to difficult.
5. Vomiting - the 'had one too many' pumpkin
If you've carved a pumpkin but made a mistake while doing so or you're simply not satisfied with your design then this detail adds a lot. With the pumpkin flesh and seeds you've already carved out just stylise it to resemble vomit, with extra touches like a choice beverage placed next to it you've got yourself a comedic winner this year. Photo: graemenicholson via Canva Pro
6. Count PumpKula
Another efficient design if you've got leftover Halloween props lying around. All you have to do is hollow out an average mouth shape on your pumpkin then slot those plastic dentures in - the result is fang'tastic (couldn't resist) and you lose very little time creating it. Photo: Shutterstock
7. PupKins - inspired by man's best friend
Who said every pumpkin needs to have a face? If you're a dog owner and you're open to guisers (or 'trick-or-treaters') coming round to your house but you're worried about your excitable canine companion then carving out a paw print and leaving it on your porch is a great way to communicate that while being original in your design. Photo: Hiland Langhans
8. Jack Skellington - This is Halloween
The Nightmare Before Christmas was released in 1993 and it instantly became a Halloween movie classic. To this day we fondly remember characters like Jack Skellington, so why not pay homage? If you're willing to invest time into a more detailed face carving then this one is sure to pay off in recognition. Photo: Submitted