by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: October 22, 2009

Jumpin' Jack-o-Lanterns

Halloween pumpkin carving is a beloved family tradition in many homes. Parents and children alike eagerly anticipate the annual trek to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkins for carving into jack-o-lanterns. On Halloween night, as trick or treaters parade through the neighborhood, folks proudly display their crafty home-carved pumpkins.

What are the seven basic steps for carving a Halloween pumpkin?

Pumpkin carving is not complex. In fact, it can be quite simple, although the pumpkin carving designs may be quite elaborate.

Wash the pumpkin before carving.

Pumpkins are produce. As part of the squash family, pumpkins are grown on the ground. A Halloween pumpkin may be dusty or muddy, even if it has been purchased at a grocery store. The pumpkin must be washed and dried thoroughly before carving it into a Halloween jack-o-lantern.

Cut the top off the pumpkin before carving.

Cover a kitchen counter, table or other sturdy, flat surface with old newspapers. Place the Halloween pumpkin atop the newsprint, and hold it securely with one hand.

Use a large knife to cut out the top portion of the pumpkin. Be sure to make a large enough opening to accommodate one hand easily. Ideally, the edges of this opening will slant outwards, as this will keep the pumpkin cap from falling into the carved pumpkin on display.

Clean out the inside of the pumpkin before carving.

Carefully trim all pumpkin pulp and seeds from the pumpkin cap. Set the cap aside.

Use a large spoon or melon balling tool to scoop out all of the seeds and pulp from the inside of the pumpkin. Discard the pulp and seeds. (Seeds may be roasted in an oven with seasoning salts and olive oil for a tasty and crispy Halloween pumpkin carving snack.)

Pick a pattern for pumpkin carving.

Pumpkin carving stencils and templates are easy to find. Patterns are sold in pumpkin carving tool kits and Halloween craft books. Pumpkin carving templates may be downloaded free from such websites as Disney Family Fun, DLTK-Holidays.com, Ehow.com, PumpkinGlow.com, The Pumpkin Lady and ZombiePumpkins.com.

Many Halloween pumpkin carving artists create their own designs. Some folks sketch Halloween pumpkin carving patterns on paper before picking up a knife. Others dig right in with simple triangle eyes and noses and chunky toothy grins for Halloween jack-o-lantern faces.

Carve the pumpkin.

Most pumpkins have a natural front and back side. Often, Halloween pumpkin carvers choose the smooth, rounded

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