Even though we had already made four puffy-painted pumpkins (one for each family member), we didn’t want Clara’s first Halloween to pass without a bit of traditional pumpkin carving. A recent trip to the pumpkin patch put us firmly in the mood—and Clara was clearly delighted with the outing. She even threw her arms out like a tiny monarch proclaiming, “I’m the queen of the world!”

We gave our little princess the chance to choose her very own pumpkin. She immediately reached for one in particular and refused to let go. In truth, “choosing” meant she touched the pumpkin we placed beside her more than she inspected a dozen, but it was obvious she loved that one. At just $2 it felt like a bargain—our thrifty toddler clearly has early instincts for smart shopping.

Knowing our lives are often busy and that complicated designs aren’t always realistic, we wanted a carving that felt simple and sweet. Watching Clara’s small hand cling to the pumpkin at the patch sparked an idea: what if her handprint became part of the design? If she could keep her hand still long enough for us to trace it, we could turn that moment into a unique jack-o’-lantern.

We traced her hand onto cardstock at home, which gave us a durable template to work from. The handprint nearest the left side turned out to be the most usable, so we cut that one out and used it to outline the features on the pumpkin. It wasn’t flawless, but it was perfectly charming—exactly what we wanted for our first family Halloween with Clara.

The original plan was to use two handprints as the pumpkin’s eyes, and we kept to that idea. Once carved, the fingers formed soft, fluttering shapes that read like eyelashes, which felt delightfully feminine. Embracing that accidental effect, we added a small puckered mouth and a gentle wavy hairline across the top, giving the pumpkin a warm, smiling personality that clearly reflected our little girl’s presence.

After some careful carving, the pumpkin took shape. We smoothed the cut edges and positioned a flameless candle votive inside for a safe, glowing effect. The final result was a simple, sweet jack-o’-lantern—traditional in spirit but infused with a personal first-year-of-parenthood twist. It’s the sort of project that doesn’t require hours of work but still creates a meaningful keepsake.

Since we’re talking Halloween costumes: this year we dressed the kids in matching, food-themed outfits for their first holiday together. Clara is wearing a hamburger costume—an adorable nod to her brother—and he’s reprising his role as a hot dog to complete the playful set. Both costumes were purchased rather than homemade, and they were easy, comfortable, and perfect for tiny trick-or-treaters. I have a feeling Clara might roll her eyes at the photos when she’s a teenager, but right now the look of pure joy on her face makes it worth every bit of family embarrassment.

We also ran a small giveaway recently and announced the winner at the end of the original contest post earlier in the week. To our surprise, the sponsor increased the number of gift cards they were offering, which was a lovely bonus for several lucky readers. It’s always rewarding when little surprises like that make people’s days a bit brighter.

All in all, this Halloween felt uncomplicated and heartfelt. A tiny pumpkin, a toddler’s handprint, a glowing flameless candle, and playful costumes—those simple elements combined to create a warm memory we’ll look back on fondly. If you’re carving this year, consider using a child’s handprint or another small, personal touch to make your pumpkin more meaningful without adding complexity.