How to Carve a Fake Pumpkin

Have you ever considered the number of pumpkins that are grown and wasted each year? It is incredibly wasteful to carve something for decoration and simply throw it away a week or two later. The fake hollow variety is a better option since they can be carved and put away for the following year. When properly stored, fake pumpkins will last indefinitely. However, it takes more than a paring knife or a serrated steak knife to carve through a fake pumpkin. An ordinary knife will destroy it with the very first cut. Read on to find out how to carve a fake pumpkin, and create a unique Halloween decoration that can be used for years to come.

Precautionary Statement

Fake pumpkins cannot be carved using blade-free carving tools like those marketed for kids, and they should not be carved by children. Kids old enough to handle an electric hot knife safely and correctly should still be supervised by an adult. Followdirections for warnings and usage instructions. Also, never use candles with open flames inside of fake hollow pumpkins.

Supplies Necessary to Carve Fake Pumpkins

You will need a hollow lightweight pumpkin made from compressed foam-like material. These can be found in major craft stores and some discount stores that sell seasonal decorations and craft supplies. You will also need a hot knife. This is a knife that is plugged in and warmed. It will carve through the pumpkin like butter. Use anything else and the material will crack and develop breaks in unwanted areas. A fine-tip marker is also helpful. For those wanting to decorate their fake pumpkins with more than simple triangular eyes and nose and a jagged mouth, buy a variety of stencils that are not too small for use with a hot knife.

Procedure

Begin by drawing or stenciling the designs onto the fake pumpkin using a fine-tip marker. Allow the marker to dry before continuing. The marks will be carved away. As the marker dries, plug in the hot knife until it reaches the proper temperature. Next, carefully carve the pumpkin using the hot knife. It will easily carve through the fake hollow pumpkin, after which the pieces can be removed from the inside.

Optional Additions for Fake Pumpkins

Fake pumpkins can be used to decorate a porch or deck, but they will blow away if not weighted down. Place a heavy rock or something similar inside of your fake pumpkins to keep them from blowing away. Light them with battery operated votive or pillar candles. They are safe and easy to use, and they will light up the night for hours on end. Use clear box tape to hold the lids of the fake pumpkins in place or they will blow away. High-quality fake pumpkins look real, and no one will realize they are anything but the usual variety picked from a pumpkin patch.