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Pumpkin carving is what you make of it. It's a fun (family) activity that helps you get into the Halloween spirit and is a great way to express your creativity, too.

The best thing about it is the freedom: you can go for something playful like your favorite meme, or a scary zombie, it's all up to you.

To give you a better idea of what's possible, we at Bored Panda compiled a list of our favorite jack-o'-lanterns. Enjoy!

#1

My Friend Is Awesome At Carving Pumpkins

My Friend Is Awesome At Carving Pumpkins

DankPawt , Edward Cabral Report

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Hello it Smee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is so mesmerizing right down to the reflexion in the helmet and it has a shadow by it's feet. Super creative and talented carver!😍

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This Halloween practice originated in Ireland, where large turnips and potatoes served as early canvasses. In fact, the very name, jack-o'-lantern, comes from an Irish myth about a man named Stingy Jack. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America, home of the pumpkin, and it became an integral part of the spooky celebration.

According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. Remaining true to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his glass, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to pay for their order. But when the Devil obliged, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which would prevent the Devil from going back to his original form.

Jack eventually freed the Devil, but under the condition that he would not bother Jack for a whole year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul.

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#4

I Work In An Animation Studio With Some Of The Best Artists I’ve Ever Met And This Is The Pumpkin That Won Our Carving Contest Yesterday

I Work In An Animation Studio With Some Of The Best Artists I’ve Ever Met And This Is The Pumpkin That Won Our Carving Contest Yesterday

aptkr_ Report

The next year, Jack tricked the Devil again. This time, by making him climb into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down. Now, the Devil had to promise not to bother Jack for ten more years.

Soon after, Jack died. As the legend has it, God didn't allow such an unsavory individual into heaven. But the Devil, who was still upset by the tricks Jack had played on him, kept his word and didn't claim Jack's soul.

So since Jack couldn't enter hell either, he ended up in the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since, thus earning the name "Jack of the Lantern," and later, simply "Jack O'Lantern."

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#6

Someone Got The Pumpkins Right

Someone Got The Pumpkins Right

xMeta4x Report

#8

My 16-Year-Old Niece’s Halloween Pumpkin Carving

My 16-Year-Old Niece’s Halloween Pumpkin Carving

Anteye1 Report

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In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns, carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them near windows or doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other evil spirits that might've also been wandering the night. In England, people used large beets.

Immigrants from these countries brought the tradition with them when they came to the US and soon discovered that pumpkins, a fruit native to their new home, make perfect jack-o'-lanterns.

#9

Peter Peter The Pumpkin Eater

Peter Peter The Pumpkin Eater

Ray Villafane Report

#10

My Wife Won Her Office Pumpkin Decorating Contest After 5 Years Of Disappointment

My Wife Won Her Office Pumpkin Decorating Contest After 5 Years Of Disappointment

Cazzyodo Report

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#13

So My Friend Won A Pumpkin Carving Contest With This

So My Friend Won A Pumpkin Carving Contest With This

ultimate_spaghetti Report

#14

My Friend Carves The Best Pumpkins, Half Of My Halloween Excitement Is Waiting To See What He's Come Up With, Here Is This Year's

My Friend Carves The Best Pumpkins, Half Of My Halloween Excitement Is Waiting To See What He's Come Up With, Here Is This Year's

OhAces Report

#16

My 2014 Pumpkins: Harry vs. Voldemort

My 2014 Pumpkins: Harry vs. Voldemort

ktownpark Report

#17

Gandalf vs. Balrog Pumpkin Carving "You Shall Not Paaaasss"

Gandalf vs. Balrog Pumpkin Carving "You Shall Not Paaaasss"

ebrad77 Report

#18

Unbelievable Viking Pumpkin

Unbelievable Viking Pumpkin

VillafaneStudios Report

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#19

I Present The Trumpkin, 16 Hours, 56lbs, Three Pumpkins

I Present The Trumpkin, 16 Hours, 56lbs, Three Pumpkins

TheLuscious Report

#20

I Carved This For Halloween. Expecto Pumpkin

I Carved This For Halloween. Expecto Pumpkin

rojath Report

#22

My Pumpkin Scares The Hell Out Of Me

My Pumpkin Scares The Hell Out Of Me

darksidejosh Report

#26

My Little Sister's First Attempt At Pumpkin Carving. Her Talent Makes Me Sick Sometimes

My Little Sister's First Attempt At Pumpkin Carving. Her Talent Makes Me Sick Sometimes

Sam0n Report

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#28

Just Finished Decorating Our Annual Scary Pumpkin

Just Finished Decorating Our Annual Scary Pumpkin

melllis Report

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Madison Feehan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's not a carving in the whole world more terrifying than this...

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#29

Tonight, I Carved A Pumpkin. I Also Doused It In Lighter Fluid And Lit It On Fire

Tonight, I Carved A Pumpkin. I Also Doused It In Lighter Fluid And Lit It On Fire

johnkphotos Report

#30

My Aunt Had A Pumpkin Contest At Work. Safe To Say She Won

My Aunt Had A Pumpkin Contest At Work. Safe To Say She Won

DietDrPeppa Report

#31

I Just Finished My Pumpkin Carving. "The Mad Titan, Thanos"

I Just Finished My Pumpkin Carving. "The Mad Titan, Thanos"

DoggieDoc83 Report

#32

For My Birthday, I Wanted To Show You Guys My Pumpkin

For My Birthday, I Wanted To Show You Guys My Pumpkin

Crescendolly Report

#33

We Still Have This Small Pumpkin My Wife Carved 3 Years Ago

We Still Have This Small Pumpkin My Wife Carved 3 Years Ago

Turkeyfart2 Report

#34

When You Don't Know What To Carve - Star Wars

When You Don't Know What To Carve - Star Wars

ThePumpkinGeek Report

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Francis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when you don't know what to do in whatever life situation: Harry Potter, Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. that's it!

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#35

My Pumpkins For Halloween This Year

My Pumpkins For Halloween This Year

Sabare Report

#36

The Perfect Jack O'Lantern Doesn't Exist...

The Perfect Jack O'Lantern Doesn't Exist...

megillakitty Report

#37

My Wife’s Contribution For The Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

My Wife’s Contribution For The Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

mej3737 Report

#39

My Work Friend Carved This In Our Annual Work Pumpkin Carving Contest, It Was His First Pumpkin And It Took Him 10 Hours

My Work Friend Carved This In Our Annual Work Pumpkin Carving Contest, It Was His First Pumpkin And It Took Him 10 Hours

Sneekpreview Report

#40

It’s Pumpkin Carving Season

It’s Pumpkin Carving Season

mortysgirl Report

#41

I Carved The Scariest Pumpkin I Could Imagine

I Carved The Scariest Pumpkin I Could Imagine

fordr015 Report

#42

Entry For My Work's Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Entry For My Work's Pumpkin Decorating Contest

znikki Report

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#45

One Of The Cooler Pumpkins Carvings I’ve Seen

One Of The Cooler Pumpkins Carvings I’ve Seen

babewizard Report

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Madison Feehan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is incredible! At least that's how the eye of the beholder sees it.

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#47

The Rosetta Stone Carved Into A Pumpkin

The Rosetta Stone Carved Into A Pumpkin

MikeMatola Report

#48

Proud Of My Submission For The Office Pumpkin Decorating Contest Today

Proud Of My Submission For The Office Pumpkin Decorating Contest Today

joechick Report

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of office do you have? This definitely wouldn't be allowed any place I've ever worked.

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#50

We Made This For A Pumpkin Decorating Contest At Work

We Made This For A Pumpkin Decorating Contest At Work

Cgiffin Report

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#51

A Few Cool Pumpkins From A Carving Contest In My Community

A Few Cool Pumpkins From A Carving Contest In My Community

FullGrownChild Report

#53

That’s No Moon

That’s No Moon

PumpkinGuy19 Report

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SomePeopleCallMeMaurice
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHOA! Please don’t be bummed that you aren’t getting more upvotes, people seem to get tired before the get this far down the list! Bravo!!

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#54

These Handmade Pumpkin Carvings

These Handmade Pumpkin Carvings

OrangeKM Report

#55

Pumpkin Carving Success

Pumpkin Carving Success

jra721 Report

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CaliCoast
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a pumpkin and it still looks better than the actual "restoration".

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#56

BF Carved A Galaxy Pumpkin

BF Carved A Galaxy Pumpkin

whymemom Report

#58

My First Time Carving A Pumpkin In Years. Love The End Result

My First Time Carving A Pumpkin In Years. Love The End Result

odddcristian Report

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Ann Dennis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cool! Another member of the same family as #27 and #46. They make me smile :)

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#59

Minion Lovers, This Should Officially Be The Best Jack O'Lantern Ever

Minion Lovers, This Should Officially Be The Best Jack O'Lantern Ever

stan5 Report

#60

No One Even Notice My Pumpkin Last Night

No One Even Notice My Pumpkin Last Night

CoutsMissingTeeth Report

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Hello it Smee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never thought of doing a double sided carving, but after see these I want to try it now. That is so cool.

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#61

"Predator" - A Carving On A Tremendous 257 Kg Pumpkin

"Predator" - A Carving On A Tremendous 257 Kg Pumpkin

Christian Russell Report

#62

I Carved My First Pumpkin. His Name Is Murphy And I’m Obsessed With Him

I Carved My First Pumpkin. His Name Is Murphy And I’m Obsessed With Him

gabruka Report

#63

My 2020 Pumpkin Carving, "Pennywise... The Dancing Clown!"

My 2020 Pumpkin Carving, "Pennywise... The Dancing Clown!"

DoggieDoc83 Report

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Shona
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow that is a lot of skill and would have taken so much time!

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#64

My Friend Just Posted This Pumpkin Carving On Facebook

My Friend Just Posted This Pumpkin Carving On Facebook

ch4dr0x Report

#65

My Wife's First Attempt At Painting Pumpkins. They Came Out Ok

My Wife's First Attempt At Painting Pumpkins. They Came Out Ok

not_the_help_desk Report

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#68

My First Pumpkin Of The Year. Wednesday Addams Giving Some Epic Side-Eye

My First Pumpkin Of The Year. Wednesday Addams Giving Some Epic Side-Eye

simplejack-o-lantern Report

#69

Really Surprised How Well My Pumpkin Carving Turned Out

Really Surprised How Well My Pumpkin Carving Turned Out

browens13 Report

#70

I Think I've Found My Calling. Here's Pumpkin Attempt #3

I Think I've Found My Calling. Here's Pumpkin Attempt #3

Charles_baker Report

#71

I Carved A Pumpkin To Sum Up 2020

I Carved A Pumpkin To Sum Up 2020

rowdyzorz Report

#72

If You Pick Your Pumpkins Right, They Turn Into Shrunken Heads In The Las Vegas Heat. Ready For October

If You Pick Your Pumpkins Right, They Turn Into Shrunken Heads In The Las Vegas Heat. Ready For October

Grimmportent Report

#73

This Pumpkin Gave Me Nightmares Last Night And I Made The Damn Thing

This Pumpkin Gave Me Nightmares Last Night And I Made The Damn Thing

ktrcoyote Report

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Jo87
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You swapped eyes for teeth, you deserve your nightmares!

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#74

Second Attempt At Pumpkin Carving

Second Attempt At Pumpkin Carving

Drosera Report

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#75

When You Putin A Lot Of Effort Into Carving

When You Putin A Lot Of Effort Into Carving

Maydanka Report

#76

My Friend's Dad Is A Dentist. This Is His Pumpkin For Halloween

My Friend's Dad Is A Dentist. This Is His Pumpkin For Halloween

Bob223 Report

#78

"And Then He Greeted Death As An Old Friend, And Went With Him Gladly, And, Equals, They Departed This Life.” The Tale Of The Three Brothers, Both Pumpkins Together

"And Then He Greeted Death As An Old Friend, And Went With Him Gladly, And, Equals, They Departed This Life.” The Tale Of The Three Brothers, Both Pumpkins Together

1kLlamas Report

#79

First Pumpkin Of The Year And He Unintentionally Ended Up Looking A Bit Like Mike Wachowski From "Monsters, Inc."

First Pumpkin Of The Year And He Unintentionally Ended Up Looking A Bit Like Mike Wachowski From "Monsters, Inc."

Christian Russell Report

#80

Halloween Pumpkin Carving

Halloween Pumpkin Carving

Ecstatic_Turnip Report

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Shona
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

well SOMEONE likes cats...(it is a gorgeous kitty though)

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#81

My Girlfriend Made This "Demogourdgon" Pumpkin For The Office Pumpkin Contest And Won 1st Place

My Girlfriend Made This "Demogourdgon" Pumpkin For The Office Pumpkin Contest And Won 1st Place

bboyneko Report

#82

The Second Time Carving Maleficent. This Time The Angelina Jolie Version

The Second Time Carving Maleficent. This Time The Angelina Jolie Version

jenn_bushman Report

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#83

My GF Carved This Last Night. Don't Think A Lot Of People Will Recognize It But I'm Sure It'll Be Appreciated Here

My GF Carved This Last Night. Don't Think A Lot Of People Will Recognize It But I'm Sure It'll Be Appreciated Here

thehonz40 Report

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The only Plueschopossum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How could one not recognize this? It's the Tale of the Three Brothers from HP ;)

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#84

My Brothers Yearly Pumpkin