Halloween Pumpkin Carving Tips

How to make a Jack-O-Lantern

Halloween is such a fun time for children, but how to make a Jack-O-Lantern is a question that moms or dads everywhere, wrestle with, annually. Is there an easy way to make a Jack-O-Lantern?

Here are instructions on how to make a Jack-O-Lantern.

Find a pumpkin that you like.

Go to a farmer's field where there are pumpkins to choose from. Either a round pumpkin or an oval shaped one will be suitable for a Jack-O-Lantern. If you try to use an unusual shaped pumpkin, it can be more difficult to carve. You may need to be an artisan to carve it properly. If you are not able to find a farmer's field where there are pumpkins, try a local farmer's market or a city market, where there is fresh garden produce on display. Many of these places will have purchased pumpkins in bulk, so that you have a lot to choose from when you are trying to find one.

Choose the size of your pumpkin carefully.

Ideally, you will want to pick out a pumpkin that is a good size. One that is approximately a foot in diameter or larger, will be easier to carve, than a smaller one. Make certain that the one you choose is a healthy, bright orange or yellowish-orange color. It may have a few green areas, if it is not ripe yet. The pumpkin should be firm without any soft spots, blemishes or defects. If the stem is intact, you will be able to lift the top off the Jack-O-Lantern with the stem. When you tap on the pumpkin, you should be able to hear a hollow sound.

Clean the outside of the pumpkin first.

Before you start to carve your pumpkin, it is a good idea to wipe the outside with a clean, damp cloth to remove any leaves, debris or soil that may be attached. Wash it if necessary, but you do not want to get the pumpkin too wet. Some people like to rub a little bit of olive oil or Vaseline on the outside, to give it a nice shine. Set it outside or some place where it is cool, until you are ready to clean it and carve the Jack O-Lantern face.

Prepare to clean the inside of the pumpkin.

Because cleaning a pumpkin can be a messy task when carved by children or with children, it is a good idea to place a large piece of plastic and several layers of newspaper on the table, where you are going to do the carving. You will need a marking pen, a large, sharp knife, a smaller, sharp, pointed knife and a large spoon.

Decide which side of the pumpkin to carve.

Examine your pumpkin from all sides first, to see which side of it is the most appropriate or the best side for a pumpkin face. You might want to use the size that is the largest, because there must be enough room to carve two eyes, a nose and a mouth. Choose the side that you think will display a face well. You may want to draw a face on the pumpkin with a marking pen, at this time.

Cut off the top of the pumpkin.

Cutting off the top of a pumpkin is a task for an adult, especially when the pumpkin is large. The lower aspect of the top should be about three to four inches below the stem, on a large pumpkin. Make a clean cut straight across the pumpkin with the large, sharp knife and carefully lift off the part that you have cut. Do not discard it, as that will be the lid, as well as the hat, for your Jack-O-Lantern. If there are seeds attached to it, clean them off carefully. Set the top aside for the moment.

Clean out the seeds from the inside of the pumpkin.

Using a large spoon, carefully clean out the inside of the pumpkin. Remember that pumpkin seeds can be roasted in olive oil with salt, so save them in a bowl. Otherwise, place them to the side, on the newspapers. When you have taken all of them out, roll them up in a section of the newspaper and discard them. You might also use them for compost.

Carve the face of the Jack-O-Lantern.

Carving the face on the Jack-O-Lantern requires caution, expertise and ingenuity. It is a good idea to keep the face that you carve on the pumpkin simple, because if it is too complex, it may be too difficult for children to carve or the pumpkin may break, when carved. With the small, sharp, pointed knife, cut out the features for the face. It is wise to use triangles for the eyes, a triangle for the nose and a smiling mouth, if you have never carved a pumpkin before. If you feel creative, you can try cutting out some teeth, but these can break when being carved, so be careful when you are carving them.

Put the candle inside the pumpkin.

Using a three to five inch candle placed upon on metal, candle holder inside the pumpkin, will work well and have sufficient burning time for Halloween evening. You can also use a small flashlight or a solar light.

Be careful when you light the Jack-O-Lantern.

Before lighting the Jack-O-Lantern, place it where you are going to show it off, either outside on the front doorstep or in a window. Make certain that the area is well ventilated, if it is inside the house. Care must be taken to make certain that there is nothing flammable, beside the pumpkin. When lighting the candle, caution must be taken, as candle wax is hot. If you have cut a fairly large opening for the lid, you should be able to reach inside the pumpkin to light the candle. There are long matches that can be used for this, as well. Parents are advised to do this for small children. Put the top back on immediately.

Safety precautions are important. 

Do not move the Jack-O-Lantern, once it has been lit. Moving it can result in the candle falling over, or going out. Once it has been lit, let it glow and cast its eerie light for all to see.

After Halloween is over, recycle your pumpkin with other ones from your community. A pumpkin used for Jack-O-Lantern, will go soft within a few days, so it is a good idea to discard it, as soon as possible or better still, use it as compost in your garden, too.

Enjoy your Jack-O-Lantern and have a safe and happy Halloween.