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Pumpkin Carving
stencils and tricks for the perfect jack-o-lantern


Carving Technique Tips
- Cut the bottom of the pumpkin instead of the top. It sits back on the base more easily and you can lower it over a candle.
- Use a dry-erase marker to sketch your design before cutting. Mistakes wipe right off.
- Thin the inner wall to about one inch in the area where you plan to carve. The thinner it is, the cleaner your cuts will be.
- Serrated knives and small saws work far better than smooth kitchen knives. A cheap keyhole saw from the hardware store does wonders.
- Start with the smallest and most detailed cuts first. Save the big pieces for last so the pumpkin stays sturdy while you work.
- Coat all cut edges with petroleum jelly to slow down drying and keep your design looking fresh for several extra days.
- For a glowing effect without fire risk, use a battery-powered LED tea light. Flickering ones look closest to a real candle.
- Tape your stencil to the pumpkin and poke holes along the lines with a pushpin. Remove the paper and connect the dots with your blade.
Choosing Your Pumpkin
- Look for a pumpkin with a flat, stable bottom. Nobody wants a rolling jack-o-lantern.
- Press the rind with your thumb. If it gives, the pumpkin is too soft and will rot fast.
- Taller pumpkins work better for faces. Wider ones are good for horizontal scenes like a haunted house.
- Check the stem. A green, sturdy stem means the pumpkin was picked recently and will last longer on your porch.
Preservation Tricks
- Soak your carved pumpkin in a bucket of cold water with two tablespoons of bleach for a couple hours. This kills mold spores.
- Spray the inside and all cut surfaces with a mix of water and a few drops of peppermint oil. Squirrels hate the smell.
- Keep your pumpkin out of direct sunlight during the day. Heat speeds up the rotting process.
- On warm days, bring it inside and store it in the fridge if you have room. Cold slows decay dramatically.