One of the best parts of Halloween is seeing what your neighbors have come up with in terms of spooky decorations.
The crowning glory of all the cotton cobwebs and plastic skeletons? That, of course, is the glowing grin of the jack-o'-lantern!
Many people opt for the classic toothy smile, and that's totally okay! But if you'd like something a little different this year, there are many festive things you can do with pumpkins, and not all of them involve faces — like this clever DIY project that turns them into tabletop candles.
To see what some other creative people have done with their pumpkins, check out our collection of the best and brightest (pun intended) jack-o'-lanterns. Some are classically creepy, and some are totally unexpected!
What kinds of decorations you like best for Halloween? Do you like to try out inventive new styles, or do you think sticking to the basics is best? Let us know in the comments below!
This pumpkin proves that a simple geometric shape can be striking if done right. Rachel H., who created this for a competition, says that she used a cheap carving kit. "I just started carving triangles and this is what happened," she explains.
Other people like to look to pop culture for inspiration, like this Death Star pumpkin that's easy to make but still totally eye-catching.
If you want to fashion your own Death Star pumpkin, be sure to check out the tutorial.
You don't have to limit yourself to only one pumpkin, either. A few can really make a statement if arranged right, like this glowing zombie, complete with gravestone.
And then, of course, you can go really crazy and build entire pumpkin structures like this triceratops with its flaming skeleton.
Or this brontosaurus (or maybe that's an apartosaurus?), which took some serious construction work.
And no Halloween festival would be complete without a giant, people-eating spider/human hybrid abomination.
For a more realistic approach, some people prefer to carve into the flesh of the pumpkin, rather than simply cutting through it. This makes all kind of gross effects possible!
This artist from MB Creative Studio can create some seriously realistic pumpkins — maybe a little too realistic!
And even though they look solid, they still glow when lit from within. The thinner the layer of pumpkin flesh, the brighter those areas will appear.
And the nice thing about carving into this part of the pumpkin is that it's soft, so you can achieve some serious details.
Something like this doesn't even need a candle to be effective!
And of course, you can combine the techniques for something really striking!
If looking at these has made you feel less secure about your pumpkin-carving abilities, don't worry. In the dark of night, with a flickering candle inside, all jack-o'-lanterns look spooky and magical.
Of course, you could always break out of your comfort zone and give one of these pumpkins a try!
Don't forget to SHARE with anyone looking to spice up their Halloween decorations!
