Here at KIA Autosport we really get into the holidays! Halloween
is one of the most vivacious times of the year. Last week we ordered all our
costumes themed as Wizard of Oz and this week we are getting into even more
spooky fun with decorations around the office and a chili cook off!
Between costumes, decorations,
and great food it is hard to say what the best part of Halloween is but one of
the most fun things you can do is pumpkin carving. Pumpkin carving is a
tradition that families and friends can pass along to do together. It is
easy to recall memories of going to the pumpkin patch with the family in search
of the perfect pumpkin. It seemed like
the utter most important thing in the world that the pumpkin was the best of
the best. The search would consist of
looking for the pumpkin with the most luscious color and perfectly plump shape.
Once the perfect pumpkin was selected, one would instantly start dreaming and
scheming of what was about to be carved into it. The carving process truly brings
the families together so the KIA family wants to help your family make the best
pumpkins at home as possible and here is how you do it!
Cutting the Pumpkin Top
If you want a unique way to seat yourself apart try cutting a
star or a funky shape instead of the usual square.
1.
Make a circle of dots with a marker on the top
of your pumpkin.
2.
From there just start cutting your star points
from your imagination. (This should
NEVER be done by anyone less than 15 without adult supervision!!)
3.
Make deep incisions
so that you cut through the entire pumpkin top. The top should pop off easily
after doing this.
Scooping Out the “Guts”
of the Pumpkin
Lay down A LOT of newspaper
before you start the scooping and cutting. It will be messy, VERY MESSY.
1.
Take a METAL spoon that won’t bend and start
working on the walls of the pumpkin.
2.
Use an amble amount of pressure so that all of
the insides are fully scraped out and there are no strings or chunks still in
there.
3.
Most importantly make sure the bottom is fully
carved and that you leave a nice flat surface for a candle to be able to sit
on.
4.
IF you like pumpkin
seeds put them into a bowl to clean later. If not, just put them onto the
newspaper you laid out and simply wrap them up and remove that layer of paper
for an easy clean up!
Drawing on the Design
This is done best with
a water-based marker. This way if you don’t cut exactly on the line you can
easily wipe off the marks from your pumpkin.
1.
Draw the cut-out so that the holes are large
enough to provide proper ventilation for the candle.
2.
Keep in mind that though intricate designs are
very cool they aren’t always the easiest to cut out!
3.
HAVE FUN! Draw whatever design that comes to
mind and make sure it is something you love!
Carving Out Your Pumpkin
Don’t take it too
seriously! It may not come out perfectly but if you had fun doing it then it
really is the best of the best!
1.
Start cutting the middle facial features first
and slowly move out ward.
2.
If you make a mistake you can reattach the piece
by using parts of toothpicks!
3.
When you’re done place a candle in it and enjoy
your beautiful creation!
When
going through the process make sure to embrace the mess and have fun with the
kinks! Pumpkin carving is about bring together and enjoying good company!
