Use these suggestions to make sure your jack-o-lantern is ready for Halloween.
This year's Halloween may be a little different, but that doesn't mean you can't still put on an incredible outdoor display. There are several alternatives to the conventional jack-o'-lantern if you don't want to spend a lot of money on a 12 foot animatronic skeleton or if your taste is more autumnal chic than gothic gore. Check out these top suggestions for creating a carv-tastic presentation before you cut into your sacrifice squash.
Pumpkin selection
There are no standards for what constitutes an ideal jack-o-lantern in terms of size or shape. Any pumpkin has the potential to become spectacular. Be sure to choose a pumpkin that is free of bumps and mold around the stem. Who would want to carve a rotten pumpkin? Additionally, seek for a pumpkin that will sit solidly without shaking and has a flat bottom.
Tools
The correct tools make any work simpler. The best or safest tool to use for carving pumpkins is not a kitchen knife. Around Halloween, many hardware or drug stores sell sets of equipment for carving pumpkins, but you can also use anything you already own, such as power drills, awls, wood gouges, or even cookie cutters. For scooping out the intestines, don't forget a large spoon!
Carving
Draw a circle on the bottom of your pumpkin and cut your opening there rather than giving your jack-o-lantern a cap by cutting it at the top. Just be sure to slant your blade toward the center to create a ledge for support of the finished cut area. Scrape the insides of your pumpkin until they are about an inch thick in the regions you plan to carve (keep the seeds and roast them for your snack after carving!). Clean out the guts. If you're using a pattern, tape it on and trace it with a poking tool to transfer it. Then you may start carving! When using a pumpkin saw, it's best to keep the pumpkin on your lap while steadily moving the saw up and down in an upward and downward motion. Saw with light pressure at a 90-degree angle.
Preservation
If your jack-o-lantern isn't being shown, spray it with water and store it in the refrigerator. In order to prevent the cut edges from drying out, apply some petroleum jelly to them. Put your pumpkin in cold water for a few hours if it starts to shrivel. It ought to regain vitality. You prevent mold, just make sure to thoroughly dry the inside. Additionally, you may keep bugs and mold away by soaking or spraying the pumpkin with a water-and-bleach solution.
Display
To serve as a chimney for smoke and heat if you're using a candle, carve a hole in the top of the pumpkin toward the back. If you drill a hole for the candle, it will be more stable. To light your pumpkin, you can also use battery-operated LEDs, Christmas lights, or even a nightlight. Your jack-o-lantern will be even more eerie if you carve a pattern into the back of it. This will create a dark effect on the wall behind it.
Use your imagination and have fun while carving your jack o' lantern, whatever you decide to do.
Source: Zillow
Author: Bob Vila