No Carve Pumpkin Decorating

Nothing represents Halloween more than a brightly carved pumpkin sitting on your front porch. From elaborate designs to the most simple, triangle eyes, nose and snaggle-toothed smiles, pumpkin designing has become an art form.

This year, why not skip the monstrous mess in favor of Halloween decor that doesn't involve the knife wielding skills of a Sous chef master?

Any way you look at it, carving jaggety designs into a Jack-O-Lantern can be a sloppy, labor intensive task. From finding a knife that is worthy of piercing through the pumpkins thick skin, to the actual carving, then on to scooping out its oozing innards, the thought of no carve decorating is a dream come true.

Another advantage, less bandaids and potential trips to the emergency room.

Here are a few no carve pumpkin decorating ideas:

No-Fuss Sugar Pumpkins

An easy, inexpensive way to decorate sugar pumpkins is to glue patterned ribbons around each squash. Purchase four to six sugar pumpkins, wash and pat dry. Choose lengths of black, orange, or white patterned ribbon and attach. Arrange in a rustic bowl.

Freehand Decorating

Use a pattern or draw freehand using washable markers first, then finalize with black permanent marker. Many patterns are available in magazines or online. Hint: Many craft stores carry glo-in-the dark markers for decorating that kids love! Kids can decorate their pumpkins with any colored paint, glitter, buttons, or yarn for hair.

 A Little Black Magic

These pumpkin decorations requre a knife to remove the top, but you only need a spoon to carve out creative designs. Purchase a medium sized pumpkin and cut off the top. Remove the innards. Spray paint the rind a matte black and let dry. Use a spoon handle to scratch away paint to create stars, moons, circles or spirals. Add a spray of fresh or plastic flowers to create a beautiful centerpiece for any Halloween table.

Decoupage Pumpkin Decorating

Purchase several artificial pumpkins, colored tissue paper, paintbrushes, and Mod-Podge or watered down white glue. Tear tissue paper into small pieces. Even the littlest hands can help tear tissue paper into squares or circle shapes. Working your way around the pumpkin, place glue onto surface and attach the tissue paper. Alternate colors to create a beautiful design.

With a little creativity and ingenuity, no carve pumpkin decorating is easy, versatile and fun. It also takes the ouch and yuck out of pumpkin carving the traditional way.

Happy Halloween!