Nothing says "Halloween" more than a front porch decorated with jack-o'-lanterns. Here are a few tips and tricks to use when creating your masterpieces:
- The bigger, the better ... or easier to carve anyway. Pumpkins with a light colored skin are softer and easier to cut. Shy away from bruises and or moldy stems.
- To cut the lid, hold your knife at a 45-degree angle, and make an odd shape so you know exactly how to set it back in.
- Ice cream scoops work great for scooping out the seeds. Be sure to scrape the walls well. About one-inch thickness is ideal. Save your seeds to roast them for a healthy snack.
- Use a dry erase marker to draw your design so it's easier to correct mistakes and wipe off any extra lines when you're done carving. If you don't have dry erase markers, a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will do the trick.
- Templates are good! Make sure your cutting tools are sharp. Tape template to pumpkin and use a push pin to make holes along the template and then play connect the dots with your cutting tool. Be sure to save your templates for next year!
- Use regular kitchen tools like a citrus peeler, lemon zester, or a melon baller for small details.
- Use a drill for perfect small circles. Also, drill two holes in the back of your pumpkin, one near the top and one near the bottom. This will allow for better air circulation so your candle will burn brighter.
- If you accidentally remove part of your design that was supposed to stay attached (like a tooth or pupil of the eye), you can put it back in place with a toothpick.
- Once you're done carving, soak your pumpkin in a mixture of vinegar-water (1 cup vinegar : 1 gallon water) to kill bacteria and help your pumpkin stay fresh longer.
- Before lighting the candle, sprinkle the underside of the pumpkin lid with a little bit of cinnamon or nutmeg for a wonderful aroma.
- Never leave a candle-lit jack-o-lantern unattended. For an even safer option, use glow sticks or battery-operated tealights.
- Most importantly, HAVE FUN as you celebrate the season and create memories that will last a lifetime!
If you'd like to skip the carving altogether ... check out these SIX no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas, from our archives!
