Hosting a pumpkin carving party is a fun way to celebrate Halloween! Pumpkin carving and Halloween go together like Santa and Christmas! If you’re contemplating gathering your friends and family for a Halloween pumpkin carving party, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve scared up some simple tips for pulling off a hauntingly fun afternoon or evening. Check out the post for tips on setup, easy clean up, and of course a few snack and treat ideas!
You’ll want to give guests plenty of heads up to carve out some time for your pumpkin extravaganza. Be sure to send out an invitation inviting them to your carving party! While you can certainly provide pumpkins and snacks for all of your guests, this type of Halloween party can be as casual as you’d like. Feel free to invite guests to bring their own pumpkins and a favorite pumpkin dessert to share.
Prepare for the main event—pumpkin carving and/or decorating—by setting up large folding tables covered in newsprint or butcher paper. If weather permits, set up the tables outside to keep clean-up to a minimum. If the weather or your outdoor space don’t allow for this, throw down a plastic tarp or sheeting underneath your tables to catch the pumpkin guts. You can add some pumpkin pizzazz using our instant download Halloween Pumpkin Party Printable Collection found in our shop here.
To bring in the spooky vibe, set carving areas for each couple or family. Carving kits can be created to simplify the process and can be used as a take home party favor. Be sure to include the following items in your carving kit:
1- a big cauldron, for neatly holding all of the needed carving tools at the start and all of the pumpkin guts at the end
2- an appropriately sized garbage bag, to fit inside the cauldron for pumpkin gut collection
3- pumpkins (either provided or brought by guests)
4- pumpkin stencils, for carving more intricate designs
5- tape, for adhering the pumpkin stencil ideas to the pumpkins
6- permanent marker, for tracing the pumpkin stencil or drawing an original design
7- pumpkin carving tools (either sharp knives, chisels or commercial carving kits)
8- paint or permanent markers (for little guests who may want to decorate their pumpkin without sharp objects)
9- wet wipes, for washing hands & carving tools when finished
As guests arrive, invite them to choose a carving station. They will find all of the necessary items for an enjoyable carving experience inside their cauldrons. Once finished, all of the pumpkin guts and/or garbage can be discarded in the garbage sack inside the cauldron. The newsprint or butcher paper table covering can be rolled up for easy disposal too.
Line up all of the carved pumpkins on display, and add candles for the full effect. Award a prize for the scariest or most unique pumpkin!
Finish the night enjoying a simple dessert offering of pumpkin or Halloween favorites like pumpkin marshmallow pops, candy corn Jell-O, spider cupcakes, pumpkin bread, decorated pumpkin sugar cookies, pumpkin scones, or pumpkin muffins. Orange soda or pumpkin spice hot cocoa would make for a delicious beverage.
If time allows, add in some fun Halloween games, like a DIY Halloween pumpkin piñata smash!
Will you be celebrating spooky season with a Halloween pumpkin carving party? We can’t wait to see the pumpkin creations you carve!
Don’t forget, our printable Halloween INSTANT DOWNLOAD collections are on sale for 40% off for a limited time in the shop! The sale ends October 31, 2019. Use the promo code SPOOKYAR during checkout.
