Celebrate this Halloween with your very own Jack-o’-lantern in your back yard or on your balcony.

 

Follow these 4 simple steps to get a Jack-o’-lantern which will be the envy of the neighborhood!

 

1. Choosing the best pumpkin: It’s not necessary to carve the pumpkin in the traditional sense, hollowing out the center and whatnot, which can be quite a messy and time consuming affair. If you’re feeling less than ambitious, it’s totally acceptable to grab several smaller round pumpkins and do a simple surface carving, or even to let your kids have at it with a bunch of permanent makers. The scary faces they are bound to come up with will surely keep the boogieman at bay! Now, if you are up for it, and want to go all the way, then be sure to choose larger pumpkins free from bruises or other unsightly markings. The thinner the shell of the pumpkin, the easier it will be to carve because there will be far less flesh to hack through. Some pumpkins are mostly flesh with virtually no naturally occurring hollow space in the center, and are therefore great for cooking, but terrible for carving. Be sure to stay clear of those varieties. Once you cut into your pumpkin, it will go bad within a week and a half, so it’s best to hold off carving it until a few days before Halloween.

 

2. Surface Carving: One very artistic and often less messy way of decorating your pumpkin is by carefully and artfully shaving off the hard orange shell of the pumpkin, exposing the lighter colored flesh beneath. You can create a Halloween scene, a scary face or even a beautiful autumnal pattern. The options are endless. 

 

3. You’re materials: Find a large workspace where it’s not the end of the world if you make a mess.  You’ll also need a couple of serrated knives, one larger than the other, a soupspoon, and a few screwdrivers of varying sizes. If you are feeling fancy, they sell specialized pumpkin carving tool kits online and these are truly ideal! You may want to cover your work surface with old newspapers or a large trash bag, and make sure you have a trashcan handy.

 

4. Directions: Cut off the top of the pumpkin, effectively creating a cap with the handle being the stem. You can use a creative pattern to cut off the top, like a zigzag or a wavy pattern if you like. You can also choose to throw away the cap and leave your pumpkin open on top, but this is the less usual option. Once you’ve cut off the top you need to clean out the insides. Use your spoon to scoop out the seeds and other gloop, or get down and dirty and just use your hand. Use your spoon to scrape away some of the flesh at the bottom of the pumpkin to create a flat surface for the candle to sit on. Next, grab a marker and draw the design of your choice on the outside of the pumpkin. You can do this freehand or even use stencils! Impale your pumpkin with your serrated knife and cut along the lines in an in and out motion, as if you were sawing wood, to cut out your design. The simplest and most classic design is the scary face comprised of triangle eyes, a triangle nose and a jagged pointy-toothed grin. Note: Save the seeds, they are great for roasting with butter and salt!

 

Display your Jack-o’-lantern outside on your front steps or on your balcony where others can see it. An added bonus is the delicious pumpkiny smell that will emanate from your pumpkin as the candle burns inside! Soooooo festive!