Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because regardless of what age I am I can channel my inner child. What is Halloween without a good ol’ trip to the pumpkin patch and then soon after and fun evening of pumpkin carving? This year we’re encouraging you to step outside the box and try something new!
Unconventional Jack-O-Lanterns may have been trending for the past couple of years but they never get old. If you think about it, anything that has a rounded shape could really take the place of a pumpkin. We’ll fill you in on some really fun and impressive ideas that you’ll want to try this Halloween. Carve these instead of your traditional pumpkin or create one alongside your pumpkin for a fun addition. All the trick or treaters will love your creativity and your house will definitely be the talk of the block.
Myself, like many others, have been obsessed with pineapples for the last couple of years. You can host a pineapple party, buy pineapple decor for your home, and now, even carve a pineapple Jack-O-Lantern.
This tutorial will walk you through step-by-step how you can do it too! Scoop out the center and enjoy the fruit while you carve away at your pineapple pumpkin! Just like a regular Jack-O-Lantern you can put a candle inside and set it by your front door for all to see!
http://www.anarchitectabroad.com/blog/halloween-ideas-pineapple-pumpkin/ PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: AN ARCHITECT ABROAD
Avocados are one of my most favorite fruits. I could literally eat them by the spoonful they’re so good! Have you ever thought to turn your avocado into a Halloween masterpiece?
This tutorial will show you how to transform an ordinary avocado into the perfect decoration for Halloween. They’re creative and fun and totally outside the box!
https://www.brit.co/halloween-avocado-skulls/ PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: BRIT + CO
Jack-O-Lanterns don’t only have to be for the front porch, they can turn a healthy snack into an exciting one! Oranges already look like mini pumpkins so why not carve a Jack-O-Lantern face into them and fill them with fresh fruit.
You can serve these at a party or send them to school for a fun Halloween snack. This is also a great idea if you have picky eaters in the house. Sometimes all it takes is getting creative with their food to make them love it!
http://intheplayroom.co.uk/2015/10/24/orange-jack-o-lantern-fruit-cups/ PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: IN THE PLAY ROOM
Thanks to the giant spherical shape of melons, these too can make awesome Jack-O-Lanterns! For inspiration, we’re sharing a couple of great ideas! The first one, a batty watermelon, literally! This tutorial is very easy to follow and you’ll have yourself a spooky Jack-O-Melon in no time!
http://katylifestylesandhomes.com/halloween-carvings/ PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: KATY LIFESTYLES AND HOMES
Secondly, we’re sharing some more great ideas that utilize melons, by sharing a couple ways you can transform melons into a trendy alternative to a traditional Jack-O-lantern. You could carve a silly face or a scary one! Try carving a watermelon, or a cantaloupe! Although, any large round melon will do.
https://www.brit.co/halloween-fruit-carving/ PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: BRIT + CO
Like pumpkins, turnips are in season right around Halloween. This means there will be plenty available. They may not be as large as your average pumpkin but their round shape is perfect for carving! This tutorial will walk you through step by step how to turn an ordinary turnip into a spooky Halloween decoration. Place a couple on your front step for a spooky entrance!
http://markgodofthunder.blogspot.com/2012/10/jack-o-lantern-turnip.html?m=1 PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: MARK GOD OF THUNDER
Further, Martha Stewart herself shared how you can alter a turnip into a spooky lantern! This tutorial is very simple and only requires a few materials. Attach some twine so you can hang them on a hook and considering they’re small you could carve several and have them light up your pathway.
https://www.marthastewart.com/272904/turnip-jack-o-lanterns?center=276965&gallery=274309&slide=272904 PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: MARTHA STEWART
Take the Jack-O-lantern from your front porch right to your dining table. This recipe shows how you can turn a boring dinner into one that is exciting and entertaining for the whole family! Try carving a Jack-O-Lantern pepper this Halloween and fill them with healthy ingredients for a wholesome meal.
https://onelittleproject.com/stuffed-pepper-jack-o-lanterns/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: ONE LITTLE PROJECT
Secondly, you could also use these adorable Jack-O-Lantern peppers in place of a veggie tray! Fill one with the perfect veggie dip and the other with loads of veggies! These would be a great addition to any Halloween party and might encourage your guests to eat more vegetables!
https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/bell-pepper-jack-o-lanterns-vegetables-dip PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: MY RECIPES
Last, but surely not least, you need to try creating a squash Jack-O-lantern! Butternut squash has a unique shape that allows the creativity to overflow even further. Martha Stewart shares how you can carve faces that are full of expression easily with a squash!
Considering they have an oblong shape you could even try carving a spooky ghost! These will definitely stand out on your doorstep and the options are endless!
https://www.marthastewart.com/268760/squash-jack-o-lantern?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/outdoor-decorations-for-halloween#slide_16 PHOTOS AND TUTORIAL HERE: MARTHA STEWART
