Raise your hand if you’ve ever carved a pumpkin. Raise your hand if you aren’t that great at it. (You can’t see me right now, but I raised my hand both times.)
That being said, I was kind of sucked into a press release I got from a Pomona business, Down to Earth Living Garden Center, this week wanting me to share with my readers “Tips for a Gourd-geous Jack-o-Lantern. Let me share them with you!

Pick the Perfect Pumpkin: The first step is selecting the right pumpkin. Look for one that is fresh, with a sturdy stem, uniform color, and a flat bottom. A pumpkin that feels firm to the touch and is free of soft spots will last longer. Avoid pumpkins with deep ridges, they make carving more difficult.

Choose the Right Tools: Using the right tools can make a huge difference. Specialized pumpkin carving kits are widely available and usually include saws, pokers, and scrapers that make the job easier. A small, serrated knife is great for intricate cuts, while a large spoon or ice cream scoop is perfect for removing the pumpkin’s guts. For detailed work, consider using an X-Acto knife, but of course be careful if kids are getting involved.

Plan Your Design: Before you start carving, sketch your design on paper or directly onto the pumpkin with a washable marker. If you’re feeling less confident in your artistic skills, look for printable stencils online. Tape the stencil to your pumpkin and use a poking tool to outline your design, then carve along the dotted lines.

Cut the Lid at an Angle: When removing the top of your pumpkin, cut at a 45-degree angle. This will create a ‘lid’ that won’t fall into the pumpkin as it starts to dry out and shrink. Alternatively, you can cut the bottom of the pumpkin instead of the top. This makes it easier to place over a candle or light source.

Scoop It Clean: Scoop out the insides thoroughly. The cleaner you get the inside, the longer your pumpkin will last. Scrape down the inner walls to about 1-inch thickness; this makes carving easier and allows light to shine through better. (And don’t forget to save the seeds and roast them for a delicious, healthy snack! – MJP)

Add Details with Depth: For more advanced designs, try carving at different depths. Shave off the outer skin in some areas without fully cutting through the pumpkin to create a multi-dimensional effect. This can be particularly effective for intricate designs, such as faces or patterns.

Use Lighting: Try lighting up your pumpkin with small battery-operated lights or larger candles depending on the size of the pumpkin. Using lights with a built-in timer will preserve batteries and you won’t have to remember to ‘turn on the pumpkin.’

Preserve Your Creation: To keep your pumpkin looking fresh, rub petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture. Alternatively, spray your pumpkin with a mixture of water and bleach to prevent mold. If it starts to shrivel, soak it in cold water for a few hours to rehydrate.

And then put it out for all the trick-or-treaters to see on Halloween! (And take a picture and send it to me … I’d love to run a gallery of all of your creations!)