YOUR SIMPLE STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

PICK YOUR PUMPKIN

First ensure your pumpkin is big enough for the stencil. Choose one with a nice uniform colour, which indicates it’s fresh. If the bottom of the pumpkin is very soft, it’s past its best so avoid it because it won’t survive the heat of candles.

CREATE AN OPENING

Carving’s a job to be done under parental supervision. First, use a sharp knife to slice off the top of the pumpkin, going i-n at a slight angle. If you prefer, you can cut a hole in the bottom of your pumpkin so it sits on top of the candle, rather than placing the candle inside from the top.

SCOOP OUT THE FLESH

Use a spoon or a scoop to completely empty the inside of the pumpkin of flesh and seeds. Keep scraping away at the inside until the outer skin wall is about 2.5cm

(1in) thick and the inside is nice and smooth. You can save the flesh to be cooked and eaten later.

NOW GET STENCILLING

Tape your chosen design to the outside of the pumpkin, and use a cocktail stick to punch holes through the paper, following the lines of the pattern. The more holes you make, the easier it is to carve. Now the design can be cut out carefully along the lines of holes with a serrated knife.

KEEP IT FRESH

Keep your carved pumpkin cool and out of direct sunlight – you can even leave it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Coating the interior and all the cut edges with petroleum jelly or Vaseline will help to lock in the pumpkin’s natural moisture.

DON’T PANIC

If you have to cut into any of your stencils, don’t worry – they, and the instructions, are also at dailymail.co.uk/pumpkins