Step 1: Pick of the Patch
No one wants a rotten pumpkin! To have a pumpkin that lasts until you’re ready to carve it, pick one without any nicks or soft spots.

Step 2: Get ready, get set, goo!
Cut a circular lid into the pumpkin by carving a wide circle around the stem. Make sure it’s at least big enough to put your fist through. Next, pull out as many seeds and stringy goo that you can by hand, and then use a pumpkin or ice cream scoop to scrape the inside clean.

Step 3: Place Pattern
Tape or pin your pattern onto your pumpkin (make sure the surface is dry so the tape will stick!). Use a pumpkin poking tool, awl, or nail to poke small, shallow holes through the paper, following the lines of the pattern. When all lines have been traced, remove pattern and save it for reference later.

Step 4: Carving Time
Insert your carving saw (never use a knife!) into a poked line. Begin sawing out each section. Remember, saws don’t twist and pumpkins don’t give! To prevent your saw from breaking, saw curved areas carefully, gently turning the saw the direction you wish to go while you continue to saw.

Step 5: Let it Glow, let it glow, let it glow!
Battery lights are great for pumpkin lighting. However, if you really love candles, use these to light your pumpkins. Light your candle and then, about a minute or two later, blow it out and observe the inside top of your pumpkin. You’ll see a dark area singed by the candle’s flame. Carve a chimney hole into this area, just over an inch wide, to allow the flame’s heat to escape. Now, relight the candle and watch your pumpkin GLOW!