YOUR SIMPLE STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

PICK YOUR PUMPKIN

You can claim a FREE pumpkin on us – see the offer on page 46. But if you’re choosing your own, 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.

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 in 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.

SCOOPOUTTHEFLESH

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.

NOWGETSTENCILLING

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.