I don’t like Halloween.

I know there is potential there, that it’s the one night of the year you can get away with just about anything as far as crafts go, but I just don’t like it. I looooved it as a kid — my mom made AMAZING costumes — but now it’s just sort of a blip on the radar. I know I should embrace the spook but I just can’t. I went to Canada’s Wonderland for a few years, to their Halloween Haunt event, so maybe I should hit that up again next year. It’s definitely creeptacular and might fix my hate (okay, that’s a strong word — dislike, really) for ghosts and goblins.

I am the Scrooge of Halloween.

BUT, there is one part of the season that I do enjoy and that’s pumpkin-carving or -decorating. Here’s my TOP 5 round-up, with a few helpful hints, for making the best pumpkin display on your block.

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#5: Bling-o-lantern

Not all pumpkins have to be carved. If you’re not down with the mess, try this route instead. Fill a shallow pan or container (preferably disposable or one you only use for crafts) with large-gauge sparkles. Use a spray adhesive (be sure to read the label to make sure it will stick to the pumpkin’s skin) to coat the pumpkin. Roll the pumpkin in the sparkles until completely covered. Allow to dry.

#4: Painted masterpiece

If you’d rather not deal with the seeds, opt for a different mess: PAINT. I’ve done this with different kinds of paint, but I found plain ol’ poster paint works best. It needs to be thick enough to adhere — you don’t want watery paint on slippery pumpkin skin — so remember that if you are mixing yourself. I also wash the pumpkins down first so you don’t end up with grit in your paint.

#3: The trendy approach

I think white pumpkins are quite beautiful and don’t need much to stand out. A few years ago, Virginie Martocq, our home editor, painted her pumpkins white and they were lovely. I say, cut out the painting step and just purchase white pumpkins instead.

#2: Spell it out

I’m a word girl, so I’m all about letters. If you’re not a fan of the traditional jack-o-lantern, try putting a bunch of carved pumpkins in a row — different sizes and shapes — with each one baring a different letter. You can go short and simple with ‘BOO!’ or longer with ‘CREEPY!’ If you have a big Halloween display and love pumpkin carving (you’d have to, to do this), go with ‘HAPPY HALLOWEEN’ across your front yard. 

#1: Stencil help

Need a hand coming up with a design? Hit up the internet for free pumpkin carving stencils, like the ones on www.celebrating-halloween.com I love the witch! And the sillhouette of the woman, who looks sort of like the Queen, if you ask me. Imagine that on a sparkly white pumpkin! (No one said you couldn’t combine a few ideas!)

If you ARE carving your pumpkin, you could do my favourite part of the process: roasting the seeds. My mom does it every year — she washes the seeds really well and puts them, still wet, on to a cookie sheet with a few chunks of butter (she eyeballs it, I’m told) and sprinkles the whole pan with garlic salt. Then she throws them in the oven and watches them to make sure they don’t burn. She says they can get away from you quickly so you have to keep a close eye on them. Take ‘em out when they’re crunchy and enjoy. 

That’s it! Happy Halloween, y’all…I’m headed home to see my niece dressed up in her costume and will try not to yell ‘bah humbug’ at anyone.