This October, take a trip to Old Westbury Gardens for the RISE of the Jack O’Lanterns and you’ll see thousands of pumpkins hand-carved into shapes of iconic movie stars and musicians. Let’s be real: your skills probably aren’t quite at that level but that doesn’t mean you can’t break out of the jack o’ lantern rut you’ve been in since you turned 5 and win your office or PTA pumpkin-carving contest. To help you get creative and win that elusive blue ribbon, we turned to the crafty folks over at Michaels for ideas. Let’s just say you’re only a couple steps away from bragging rights.

Glitter Initial Pumpkin

image: michaels

Time Required: About 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Personalize your pumpkin and make it illuminate before you light a candle with this glittery idea. Carve it.

Leaf Carved Pumpkin

image: michaels

Time Required: About an Hour
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Light up your porch with a pair of festive leaf pumpkins that is perfect decor on, before and after Halloween. Carve it.

Black Carved Skull Pumpkin

image: michaels

Time Required: About an hour
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Scare away the riffraff partaking in Mischief Night and give your family and friends a fright while you’re at it with this spooky spider-topped, skull-filled pumpkin. Carve it.

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