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Photo courtesy Richmond Sentinel

Halloween 2026

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 3:44 PDT, Fri October 16, 2026

Last Updated: 12:40 PDT, Tue October 20, 2026

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BY ISABELLA RODRIGUES

Halloween is a very fun and spooky time of the year when we let the mysterious and macabre run amok while keeping a fun and silly atmosphere for our youngsters. From trick-or-treating to carving pumpkins, there’s something for everybody to enjoy this Halloween season.

During the fall season, most people carve a pumpkin; here are some tips to level up your pumpkin carving skills from gourd to god.

Tips

Put a differentiating mark on the lid
When getting ready to carve your pumpkin’s lid, leave a unique mark on the base and the lid so that you know which way the lid sits flush when closed. One suggestion is a zigzag pattern with one longer spike so you can match it to its opposite hole. Also, it might be easier to cut away from yourself as a safety measure. Once you have cut and removed the lid, the next step is to remove the fibre (stringy guts) and place it in a bowl for potential recipe ideas. Then take a spoon and smooth out the wall of the pumpkin, which is the pulp.

Using the leftover pieces
Now you’re ready to carve out your chosen design (mouth, eyes, nose). You could use these pieces to add to the exterior design: maybe little horns or a tongue. If you want, you could even use the fibre/guts to add hair.

It doesn’t have to be a face
The traditional pumpkin carving is usually 2 eyes, a nose and a mouth, but that’s not to say you can’t do something different; keep in mind it’s easier to cut jagged, sharp edges than round shapes. If you need help with design ideas, the internet (ie. Pinterest) can sometimes offer printable versions that you can anchor onto the pumpkin and trace to get that perfect design. Another fancy design noted online is using the lighter inner flesh of the pumpkin as shown in the photo. For this technique, you might use a special tool like a vegetable peeler or small paring knife.

If you are using a candle in your pumpkin
If you are planning to light a candle to illuminate the inside of your pumpkin, be especially careful that there is nothing that can catch fire, such as un-scraped walls or fibre inside.

Fibre/Guts
As suggested earlier, the fibre you removed from inside the pumpkin doesn’t need to go straight into the compost; it can be put in a blender and made into soup with added seasoning. Check out the internet for other suggested recipes.

Seeds
Roasted pumpkin seeds are one of the most common treats during the Halloween season, and the process of making them is really simple; all you need are some seasonings and an oven. Pumpkin seeds can be enjoyed savoury or sweet as a good source of fibre for your digestive system, along with many tasty recipes online, from simple salted ones to honey-roasted ones.

Added protection
After you have finished creating your masterpiece, if you are placing it indoors, be sure to put it on a plate and even add a protective cover under the plate in the event there is leakage.

Trick-or-treating
Trick-or-treating is a lot of fun and a good way to stock up on candy until next Halloween; just make sure to remember a few safety tips for your young family members:

Dress for the weather, even if it means covering up that fabulous costume; it’s important to stay warm and dry;
Stay in your neighbourhood; it’s important to ensure that the treats are offered by those you trust and travel together with friends in a group;
If the costume includes a mask, be careful that their vision is not blocked, as it can be doubly dangerous at night in the dark. A good compromise is face paint, offering the same effect without the risk.
If your child’s costume includes a toy weapon, ensure that there are no sharp edges so no one gets hurt.
Some homeowners like to participate in the spirit of Halloween by welcoming the trick-or-treaters; remember that the houses that give out candy usually have Jack-o-Lanterns and lights on inside the house. Some houses also choose to simply leave a bowl of candy outside the door for the trick-or-treaters, hoping they will only take one so all trick-or-treaters get some.
Check the candy: Though most people who hand out candy to children have wholesome intentions, some people sneak unsavoury things into the treats, like razor blades, needles, and poisons. Be sure to check the seams and surfaces for tears, punctures, and other suspicious marks before anything is consumed.

Halloween is a very fun time of year, when the young and young at heart can dress up in costumes, homemade or store-bought, as their favourite character or Halloween traditional characters: ghosts, ghouls, and witches. Hopefully, now that you are armed with these tips, tricks, and safety suggestions, everyone can have a fun day whether at school, at work or out trick-or-treating.