How to make a Jack-o'-lantern and the meaning of Halloween 2025

Detailed instructions on how to make a jack-o'-lantern from A to Z: discover the origin, meaning of Halloween and 3 simple DIY methods at home.

Halloween wouldn't be complete without a spooky pumpkin lantern. This article will delve into the origins and deep meaning of this lantern, and guide you through 3 simple DIY Jack-o'-lanterns right at home.

What is a Jack-o'-lantern? Origin and meaning

The Legend of "Stingy Jack"

The origin of the jack-o-lantern is tied to the Irish folk legend of Stingy Jack. Jack was a miserly farmer who tricked Satan.

Forbidden from both Heaven and Hell, Jack's soul was banished to wander forever in the darkness with a single ember to light its way. Jack placed the ember in a hollowed-out turnip. The Irish believed that placing jack-o-lanterns carved with ghosts would ward off Jack's wandering spirit and other evil forces.

What is a Jack-o'-lantern? Origin and Meaning

From radish to pumpkin

Originally, in Ireland and Scotland, the jack-o'-lantern was made from turnips, potatoes, or beets.

When Irish immigrants came to America, they found that pumpkins were more popular, larger, and easier to carve. From then on, pumpkins officially replaced turnips as the main ingredient, and the name Jack-o'-lantern was associated with the carved pumpkin.

Meaning

Today, the Jack-o'-lantern has gone beyond its evil-fighting significance. It is the official symbol of Halloween, representing fun, creativity, and a touch of spookiness. Making jack-o'-lanterns together as a family is also a fun bonding tradition during the holiday.

Meaning of pumpkin lantern

Simple Ways to Make DIY Pumpkin Lanterns at Home

You don't have to be an artisan to make your own unique pumpkin lantern. Here are three ways to do it using different materials.

Method 1: Make a Jack-o'-lantern from a real pumpkin (traditional style)

This is the way to make the most authentic Halloween experience.

Prepare:

• 1 large, round pumpkin (large, thick skin)
• Sharp knife (or a special pumpkin carving kit)
• Spoon (large for scooping out the inside)
• Marker
• Electronic candle (or wax candle, but electronic candles are safer).

Method 1: Make a Jack-o'-lantern from a real pumpkin (traditional style)

Perform:

• Step 1: Use a knife to cut a circle or hexagon on the top of the pumpkin to create a "lid". Cut slightly inward so the lid doesn't fall off.
• Step 2: Use a spoon to scrape out all the insides and seeds. The cleaner you scrape, the longer the pumpkin will last. The pumpkin wall should be about 2 - 3cm thick.
• Step 3: Use a felt-tip pen to draw spooky eyes, nose, mouth (or any shape you like) on the pumpkin skin.
• Step 4: Carefully use a sharp knife to carve along the lines you drew. Use a paper towel to wipe off any remaining marker ink.
• Step 5: Place the electric candle inside, close the lid and enjoy the magical glow of your homemade Jack-o'-lantern.

Method 2: Make a pumpkin lantern out of paper (safe for children)

This is an ideal choice for families with small children, both safe and easy to make.

Prepare:

• Orange cardboard (thick)
• Black paper
• Scissors, glue
• Hanging string (or staples)
• Small LED lights (flashlights or wine bottle lights).

Method 2: Make a pumpkin lantern out of paper (safe for children)

Perform:

• Step 1: Cut the orange paper into long strips, about 2-3cm wide. The length of the strips determines the size of the sphere.
• Step 2: Use black paper to cut out the eyes, nose, and mouth and then stick them onto some of the strips (the strips will form the face).
• Step 3: Stack and secure the two ends of the strips together (using pins or glue). When the strips are opened, they will form a sphere (pumpkin shape).
• Step 4: Hang a small LED light in the middle of the sphere and use a string to hang the paper lantern up high.

Method 3: Make a pumpkin lantern from recycled materials (plastic bottles)

Make use of available materials to protect the environment and have a unique lamp.

Prepare:

• Large plastic bottle (5 liter or laundry detergent can)
• Orange paint (acrylic or spray paint)
• Black marker
• Cut-off knife
• LED light (small, battery operated).

Make a pumpkin lantern from recycled materials (plastic bottles)

Perform:

• Step 1: Paint the entire plastic bottle orange, you can paint 2 coats if needed. Let it dry completely.
• Step 2: Use a black marker to draw a pumpkin face on the body of the bottle.
• Step 3: Optionally, you can cut a small hole in the bottom of the bottle (or cut out part of the face) to place the light.
• Step 4: Insert the LED light inside the bottle to create a lighting effect.

Decorating Tips and Important Notes

A few tips will help make your pumpkin lantern perfect.

Safety first

To be safer when decorating and using your home, here are some ways you can apply:

• Using electronic candles: Always prioritize battery-powered LED candles over traditional wax candles to avoid the risk of fire and explosion, especially when making paper lanterns or for indoor decoration.
• Knives and children: If making lanterns from real pumpkins, adults should do the cutting and carving steps to ensure safety for children.

Decorating tips and important notes

Preserving real pumpkins

To keep your pumpkin lanterns decorated for a long time during the Halloween season, you need to know how to preserve real pumpkins such as:

• Keeping moisture: After carving, you can apply a thin layer of cooking oil (or Vaseline) on the cut edges to minimize oxidation and keep the pumpkin fresh longer.
• Avoid high temperatures: Do not leave real pumpkin lanterns in the sun or in places that are too hot, this will cause the pumpkin to spoil quickly.

Decorative position

Pumpkin lanterns are suitable for decoration in:

You may be interested in:

• Porch: Placing a Jack-o'-lantern on the porch or doorstep is a traditional place to welcome guests and ward off evil spirits.
• Window: Place it on the windowsill to let the ghostly light shine into the house and attract eyes from outside.

Decorate pumpkin lanterns at home

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

If I don't have real pumpkin, what can I use instead?

Absolutely. You can substitute other round, thick-skinned fruits like watermelons or even large grapefruits if you want a smaller size. However, pumpkins are still the most traditional and easiest to carve.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What should I carve on my pumpkin?

Traditional carvings are spooky faces, bared teeth, or hollow triangles for a creepy effect. However, these days you can carve anything: smiley faces, superhero logos, letters, or even landscapes depending on your creativity. Simple carvings (big eyes, wide mouth) are easier to do and create better lighting effects.

Where to buy pumpkin lantern making tools?

You can buy pumpkins at traditional markets, large supermarkets or agricultural stores on Halloween. Pumpkin carving kits (special small saws) are often sold at Halloween decoration stores or on e-commerce platforms.

Jack-o'-lanterns are not only a decoration but also a part of the soul of Halloween - a festival where the boundary between life and death becomes blurred. Wish you a happy and spooky Halloween night!