This Halloween 64 million Americans will carve a pumpkin, but did you know the Irish brought the tradition of carving pumpkins at Halloween to America?
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In the new book Easy Pumpkin Carving: Spooktacular Patterns, Tips & Ideas by Colleen Dorsey you will learn how to carve the best Jack-O-Lantern on the block. This little book teaches both traditional and modern pumpkin carving and decorating techniques. From the classic Jack-O-Lantern and the Spooky Black Cat to creative new designs, it really has something for everyone!
Today I have a copy of this little book for a reader to win, together with a pumpkin carving tool kit. But before I tell you how to enter, let’s first explore a little history of pumpkin carving.
Making Jack O’Lanterns – A Celtic Tradition:
The Irish brought the tradition of carving Jack O’Lanterns to America. But, the original Irish Jack O’Lanterns were not made out of pumpkins.
In Ireland rutabagas or what the Irish call turnips were used to make lanterns. Not a pumpkin to be found in Ireland back in ancient times.
Our Celtic forefathers carved turnips on All Hallow’s Eve. They lit them up by placing a glowing ember from a turf fire inside the carved turnip shell. The lanterns were said to ward off evil spirits.
Original Irish Jack O’Lantern made out of a carved rutabaga
Pretty scary looking this turnip head lantern. No wonder the Irish adopted pumpkins for their Halloween artwork once they got to America.
Stingy Jack And The Jack O’Lantern:
The reason for all this turnip carving centered around a notoriously mean character called Stingy Jack. His legend has been handed down for generations in Irish folklore. There are many versions of the tale of Stingy Jack, but here’s one I like.
Jack was a bit of a cod actor. He loved to play tricks and one day he made a serious mistake. He decided to play a trick on the Devil himself. Using his guile and smooth talking ways he managed to convince the Devil to climb into an apple tree. When the Devil wasn’t looking Jack placed crosses around the tree trunk, stranding the Devil in the tree.
And then Jack did the unthinkable. He made a deal with the Devil. Before removing the crosses to free the Devil, Jack made Old Nick Himself promise not to touch his soul when he passed away.
Decades later, Jack passed to the other side and headed off to the gates of Heaven. Now Stingy Jack’s reputation preceded him and Saint Peter denied him entry to Heaven. Stingy Jack headed toward Hell but being true to his promise, the Devil wouldn’t let Stingy Jack enter.
Jack was stranded between Heaven and Hell and in a very dark place. He asked the Devil for some light, and the Devil threw him a burning coal. Jack placed the coal inside a carved out turnip and has been roaming the highways and byways of Ireland and the world ever since.
The Irish called this ghostly figure “Jack of the Lantern” which over the years has been shortened to “Jack O’Lantern.”
Lantern Lighting On Halloween:
On All Hallow’s Eve Irish tradition was to light Jack O’Lanterns to keep Stingy Jack away. Turnips, rutabagas, beets and potatoes were hallowed out to hold burning embers and light up the night.
When Irish immigrants came to American shores in droves throughout the 1800’s they brought their rutabaga carving ways with them. Now rutabagas are not easy to carve. For anyone who likes to eat rutabaga as a side you know how difficult it is to peel and cut a rutabaga.
The Irish in America soon discovered the larger and and easier to carve pumpkin and got busy making their Jack O’Lanterns for Halloween. This Irish tradition of carving pumpkins continues to this very day throughout the United States.
And so, as you carve your pumpkin this year, remember you are practicing a little bit of your Irish heritage.
Easy Pumpkin Carving:
And now that I have you all interested in carving pumpkins let’s explore Coleen Dorsey’s excellent book which is chock full of pumpkin .
Photographs throughout this book provide details of the numerous techniques shown. I love all the wonderful images of finished pumpkins.
Whether you are a beginner or a pro when it comes to pumpkin carving, this book has something for everyone.
There is a complete section on how to embellish pumpkins which is perfect for younger children. No sharp tools required.
Etching is another option for older kids, and there’s a link for an online pattern at the end of the book. Plenty of inspiration to be found for all pumpkin crafters this Halloween season.
So Many Ways To Create Halloween Pumpkins:
Until I read this book I had no idea there are so many ways to decorate a pumpkin for Halloween.
First of all, you’ll find tips and tricks to make pumpkin carving easier, faster, and more effective than the carving you might already know how to do.
Second of all, this book helps you choose the perfect pumpkin from the many varieties now available. Pumpkins are even sold in Ireland these days. Apparently the Irish climate is perfect for growing pumpkins.
You will also learn several techniques for carving and embellishing pumpkins that go beyond traditional carving.
You can create luminary pumpkins and etched pumpkins, combine multiple pumpkins in creative ways, and embellish pumpkins without even touching a knife.
It won’t be until you see the ideas presented in this book that you’ll realize just how cool (and easy) pumpkin carving can be!
The Giveaway:
One lucky reader will win a copy of this Easy Pumpkin Carving book plus a pumpkin carving kit to help you on your way.
To enter just leave a comment on this blog post by noon on Thursday, October 19th, 2017.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration why not tell us about your family Halloween traditions or perhaps you have a pumpkin carving tip to share.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Thursday, October 19th 2017, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries by clicking here.
A big thank you to Colleen Dorsey for this wonderful book and to Fox Chapel Publishing who provided me with a digital copy of this text to help me prepare this blog post.
And thanks to all who join in the fun and support this giveaway. Please feel free to share this post and let friends and family know they could be in with a chance to win this lovely prize.
And if you win, be careful with those sharp carving tools. Happy pumpkin carving to all.
Winner Chosen:
A winner has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plugin for WordPress. The happy pumpkin carver will be …..
Veronica Vatter
I’ll send Veronica an email to let her know the good news. Many thanks to all who entered this giveaway and thank you to Fox Chapel Publishing for introducing this book to us.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
Here are some more Halloween posts you might enjoy:
The Irish History of the Jack O’ Lantern
Colcannon – An Irish Halloween Tradition
Halloween – The Irish Connection
- Green Monster Face Cookies For Halloween
- 20 Creepy Green Halloween Treats
- Skeleton Face Cookies For Halloween
- Easy Kid’s Fun With Chocolate Dipped Apples
- Hauntingly Spooky Ghost Pretzels For Halloween
- Spider Deviled Eggs For Halloween
- Halloween Chocolate Rice Krispie Spiders
- Cheesy Irish Potato Cakes for Halloween
I would love to win this book, I love making things
Regards Maureen
Hi Maureen – Lovely to learn you enjoy crafts and making things.
All the best,
Mairéad
The carved turnip is really spooky. First time I ever saw that ! There are some very intricate pumpkin designs depicted and having the right tools for the job would make it all go smoother. Great post!
Hi Miriam – Glad you enjoyed this post. That carved pumpkin would definitely keep Scary Jack away from any door. It is very spooky indeed.
Thanks for stopping by,
Mairéad
Thanks for this Halloween history lesson.
Glad to share this tale of the Irish origins of Halloween.
All the best,
Mairéad
Very interesting. I had no idea that the tradition started in Ireland!
Hi Deirdre – Carving a turnip was no easy job so it’s no wonder that Irish immigrants adopted the pumpkin for making their Jack O’Lanterns.
All the best,
Mairéad
Spootacular idea! For a goulash giveaway! Hope I win!
Best of luck, Natalie. Thanks for checking out this post and giveaway.
Mairéad
Astonishing how pumpkin-carving has become such an art form. And I think I’ll try my hand at carving a rutabaga this year, too!
Good luck with that rutabaga Rebecca – it’s a pretty tough vegetable to carve.
The intricacies of some pumpkin designs are amazing.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Nice! I can’t wait to get carving with the kids this year! Although, five pumpkins is a lot to carve. 🙂
Happy carving, Veronica. Five different designs for five pumpkins – that is a challenge indeed.
All the best, and enjoy these special times with your kids.
Mairéad
I would like to have this book and the kit looks great!
Thanks for supporting this giveaway, Bernadette.
Take care,
Mairéad
Very spooky! I’ve been telling that story to my kids for years. My daughter loves Halloween and never goes without carving ole Jack. Looks like a lot of designs that she would even love and probably want to try 🙂
Hi Sheila – I hope you carve a masterpiece this Halloween for Ole Jack. It’s lovely to hear the old stories continue to be told in America. Happy pumpkin carving,
Mairéad
Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday and my husband’s as well. He has been carving some very intricate pumpkins for years and is always looking for new ideas. The book and tools would be a nice surprise for him. We’ll be celebrating our 32nd anniversary on 10/26!😊🎃
Hi Suzanne – I too love Halloween. Happy 32nd Anniversary to you and your husband. Lovely to hear you have had many Halloweens together and that your husband loves to carve pumpkins. A good Irish tradition that has spread throughout the US.
All the best,
Mairéad
🎃🎃🎃
I just love Halloween and all the decorations – especially the pumpkin carving! Thank you for all the information regarding jack o’lanterns!
Hi Jeanne – I love all things pumpkin and all things Halloween. Pumpkin patches and pumpkin carving – just wonderful family fun.
Thanks for stopping by to check out my Halloween ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
🙂 🙂 🙂
I had no idea of this! This is so fun! Yet another major contribution to the world by “ours!”
And the Jack o’Lantern story! This is just terrific!
I am taking an online Irish course from Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, and I can’t wait to be a know it all about this very fun info! (of course, I will recognize the source! and share about it all!)
HaHaHa! Just love this!
Thank you, Mairead* and Coleen Dorsey, and, God bless you!
I hope you really enjoyed your Irish course. It sounds very interesting – so glad I was able to share this little piece of Irish history.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
I love Halloween holidays, specially pumpkin carving with my buddies. Making fun with them at every point.
And we’ll all be carving pumpkins very soon.
All the best,
Mairéad
These are such clever ideas! I always have the hardest time carving our pumpkin.
So glad these ideas were inspirational for you.
All the best, and happy pumpkin carving.
Mairéad
I have carved pumkins since i was a little girl always loved it showed my children then my grand children and their mom she had never done before showed her how fun it is now my great grandchildren best time of the year scarey funny. Exciting.
Hi Jane – Carving pumpkins together is a wonderful family tradition. Lovely to hear you are teaching all the generations of your family. Enjoy the coming weeks with your family.
All the best,
Mairéad