Pumpkin carving tips

As thousands of pumpkins in patches across the country reach peak perfection, ‘tis the season for carving fabulous jack-o-lanterns. Keep these tips in mind when planning for your pre-Halloween fun:

• CHOOSE your canvas carefully, focusing on a flat bottom and ample façade.

• SKETCH your desired design in big, bold strokes.

• OPEN from the bottom (not top!)

• SAVE the seeds for a healthy snack.

• LEAVE the knife cutting to the grown-ups!

• SOAK your jack-o-lantern in a bleach-water solution to stave off mold and mildew.

• CONSIDER painting your giant gourds, which is fun (and safe!) for folks of all ages and abilities.

– Hannah Van Sickle, The Arizona 100