Whether they’re carved or whole.

The National Zoo is posting photos of its creatures with gourds.

Surely this is better than clutching a steaming mug of cider and Instagramming gourd photos.

Our roundup of a variety of Halloween options around the area this year, from a zombie party to trick-or-treating at the Zoo, scary movie fests to pumpkin carving contests.

Okay, so technically the D.C. map is reflected the wrong way (or maybe I want Virginia back and wards 6 and 8 sent back to Maryland), but I’m still quite proud of my craftsmanship. Of course, I wasn’t the only person who chose the to rep the good ol’ D of C on my Jack-o’-lantern.

Time to get in the proper holiday spirit with some fancy pumpkin carving, yes? We found these images taken by our Flickr contributors over the last week as people prepared for the big night. This one, by RSchley, is our favorite — some Washington National’s pride (because it’s terrifying?) and a classic black cat waiting for unlucky victims to come into its path. Naturally, it’s time for the every-four-years political stencil carvings, and folks around…