How to Prepare for a Pumpkin Carving Party

Don't let Halloween sneak up on you before you've had a chance to carve your own original creations to show off on Halloween night. Why not plan a pumpkin-carving party with friends or relatives, and be sure to give prizes for those artistic masterpieces.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Strips Of Old Newspapers
• Candles

1. Place several layers of newspaper over your work surface.
2. Wash the pumpkin if it's dirty, and dry with paper towels.
3. Cut a circle around the stem of the pumpkin using a small kitchen knife. The hole should be large enough so you can put your whole hand inside to scrape out contents, but not so large that it takes the whole top off.
4. Use a large spoon (and knife, if necessary) to remove strings from the top piece.
5. Cut it so that the bottom is clean. Set aside.
6. Remove the stringy insides and seeds of the pumpkin using your hands. Then, using a large spoon, scrape the insides clean.
7. Pick which side of the pumpkin you want to carve. If using a stencil for the face, tape the stencil to the pumpkin and mark where cuts should go with small knife. If making a simple face, draw the face on with a pencil.
8. Cut the design or face into the pumpkin with a knife. Make holes the same size on the inside as they are on outside to allow ample light to shine through. Discard pumpkin pieces.
9. Put a votive candle inside pumpkin and light it. (If you don't have long enough matches, you may need to light the votive first and carefully place it in the pumpkin.) Put the top back on the pumpkin.
10. Roll up the pumpkin pulp and pieces in newspaper and discard.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut the top piece at an angle pointing inward so that the edges remain wide enough not to fall inside the pumpkin.
• Small children can decorate pumpkins with paint or stickers.
• Pumpkin seeds can be roasted and eaten.
• Small children should not be handling sharp knives or matches.
• Do not leave pumpkins containing lit candles unattended.