Five hacks for carving your pumpkin this Halloween

1. Cover the crime scene 

Using paper or some plastic to cover the surface where you are carving your pumpkin will help you a lot afterwards. You won’t have to think about cleaning annoying surfaces or removing unwashable stains from all over the place.

2. Kill from the bottom, not the top

Instead of cutting the top to create the lid, try cutting the bottom of the pumpkin. This makes it easier to place the pumpkin over a candle or light without the risk of it tipping over. Plus, it keeps the stem intact for a neat, clean look.

3. Outline your victim

Before carving, sketch your design with a dry-erase marker instead of permanent markers or pencils. This makes it easy to erase mistakes and adjust the drawing. Once you’re happy with the outline, start carving, then wipe off any remaining marker.

4. Scoop all the bowels

Use an ice cream scoop for easier scraping of the pumpkin’s insides. For a super quick clean, you can also attach a whisk or paint mixer to a power drill and use it to clean out the guts—perfect for making the surface smooth and ready to carve.

5. Preserve the body 

After carving, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to the cut edges of your pumpkin. This helps seal in moisture, preventing the edges from drying out and shrivelling. It keeps your pumpkin looking fresh longer!

Bonus hack!

Keep it safe … for you

Skip traditional candles, which can be a fire hazard and sometimes make the pumpkin too hot. Instead, opt for LED lights or glow sticks to safely illuminate your design. You can even use different colored lights to add an extra eerie effect!

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Source: Carving Creativity: Unleash Your Pumpkin Decorating Potential with These Tips and Tricks - Countdown to Halloween. https://countdowntohalloween.com/pumpkin-decorating-tips-and-tricks/