Stuck on what to carve into your Halloween pumpkin this year? Here are some easy, spooky and fun ideas:

Stem Nose:

Different than your average jack-o-lantern, turn your pumpkin on its side and use the stem as a fun nose. All that’s left to carve are eyes and a mouth of your choice. If your pumpkin is wobbly, cut some flesh off the bottom to flatten it.

Silhouette Pumpkin:

Usually done with a stencil, print a template, tape it to your pumpkin and trace the outline with a pin. Remove the stencil and cut the tracing out with a knife. It’s that easy!

Simple Expressive Pumpkin:

The most iconic, simplistic version of a pumpkin. Use shapes like crescents, circles or stars as eyes. For the nose, a classic triangle.

Initials and Phrases:

Who said it there has to be a face on the pumpkin? Represent the family name by carving it into the pumpkin, or carve festive phrases to put on your porch like “Boo!” or “Happy Halloween!” Another idea is making it personal by carving your initials in fun fonts.

Cookie Cutter Pumpkins:

So maybe pumpkin carving isn’t your thing. Try this simple and fun trick: cookie cutters. Stainless steel cutters are easy to cut unique and fun shapes into a pumpkin.

Here are some tips to carving a pumpkin in addition to just ideas:

Cut the top of your pumpkin top at a 45 degree angle. If you cut it straight down, the more likely it is to fall through.

Use petroleum jelly  on the carvings to give your pumpkin a little extra glow at night.

And remember, never leave your lit pumpkin unattended!