Pumpkins are a hit in the fall. From pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin flavored donuts, the entire world seems to become one giant pumpkin during fall. One of the most popular pumpkin activities that happens around the time of Halloween is pumpkin carving. In my opinion, pumpkin carving is the absolute best activity anyone can do to prepare for Halloween. Here are a few reasons why:
1. The pumpkin seeds. I don't know about you, but I love pumpkin seeds. Sure, sunflower seeds are good, but everyone knows that pumpkin seeds are the best. Not only that, but I love making pumpkin seeds. After emptying out your pumpkins, you have a whole bunch of seeds left over. Instead of throwing them away, look up a recipe and bake them! You'll have a delicious snack for later!
2. It is a great opportunity for quality time with friends and family. Before you venture off in costumes and collect candy from your neighbors, pumpkin carving is a great way to spend some time with your friends and family. Everyone can create their very own masterpiece, and you can listen to fun music and dance around while doing it. It's fun for everyone!
3. Everyone becomes an artist. Even if you're like me and can barely make stick figures look good, carved pumpkins don't look bad even if they weren't well carved. If it's not symmetrical, that was obviously the plan all along. If one eye is square and the other is more of a circle, you're creating your very own style. Even poorly carved pumpkins look great. I've never been disappointed with any of my carved pumpkins.
4. You have unique decorations for the front of the house. Even when people try to make the same carved pumpkin, they come out differently. Each pumpkin is a one-of-a-kind, and they're perfect to put on your front porch. My family used to keep them out even after Halloween just to see how long they would last before winter hit.
5. It's new every year. Some people like to reuse old costumes since they ran out of time to find a new one for this year, or they couldn't afford to get anything new. Whatever the reason, costumes can be repeated. With pumpkins however, you have to carve a new one every year, and you can make whatever you want. The tools remain the same, but the pumpkin always changes.
Pumpkin carving has to be one of the best activities to do, especially during the Halloween season. The seeds are delicious, non-artists become artists for a night, and everyone can have fun together. I finally carved pumpkins this year after not having done it for a while and it reminded me how much I missed it. If you're thinking of starting a tradition, start a pumpkin carving party every Halloween! You'll love it, I promise.
