Pumpkin carving is one of the most fun parts of Halloween for all ages, and it leaves you with the perfect Halloween decoration: a jack-o-lantern. The only downside? It can get pretty messy and gross, especially if kids are participating. But never fear, here are some tips that will help pumpkin carving go as smoothly as possible.
Wear Gloves
In addition to laying down some newspaper or trash bags on your work surface, don’t forget to protect your hands from all of the grossness of pumpkin guts! It’s as easy as wearing a pair of disposable gloves. You’ll be surprised how much smoother the process can be this way.
Cut Off the Bottom
Most people cut off the top of their pumpkin to get inside for scooping purposes. But the real pros know that the best move is to go through the bottom. This way, you’re preserving the stem, which will keep your pumpkin fresh for longer, and you’ll be pulling most of the seeds out of the pumpkin when you remove the bottom. Don’t forget to save the seeds for roasting!
Use a Stencil
While you can totally go freehand on your jack-o-lantern and let yourself get creative, using a stencil is the best way to guarantee a successful result. It also lets you get a little more complicated than just the classic triangle eyes and nose.
