Classic
Scared
When you're gutting the pumpkin, don't worry about making the walls too thin. It might seem counterintuitive, but thin walls are actually less likely to break. "Usually the reason people have problems is because the walls are too thick," Alex says. Thinner pumpkins will also shine more brightly when you put a candle inside.
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Starry Night
Once your pumpkin is gutted, you're ready to use the template. Make sure the pumpkin is dry and clean so that the template will stick. Duct tape works best: Tape each corner down and mold it to the pumpkin. Then, using a pumpkin carving poker or a thick needle, poke holes along the lines in the template. Remove the template before you start carving.
Dracula
Now, you're ready for the fun part! Alex recommends using tools made specifically for carving pumpkins—yes, those three-dollar serrated knives you see at the pumpkin patch are your best bet. "A lot of Halloween accidents occur with a kitchen knife," he says. Serrated edges are necessary to provide resistance and keep the knife from going straight through the pumpkin and into a finger.
Owl
It's best to do all the cutting first, then push through the pieces. "Resist the temptation to push out pieces so that you can see the process," Alex says. "If you push out a piece, then when you try to cut around it you'll be more likely to break the edges." And, if you have a large area to push out, it's best to cut it into smaller pieces.
Frankenstein
When you're all done carving, it's very important to keep the pumpkin moist. "Remember, pumpkin is a fruit," Alex says. "Just like other fruits, once it dries out it dies." He recommends either soaking pumpkins in the bathtub or coating the carved edges with Vaseline.
Day of the Dead
If you want the pumpkin to last longer or simply aren't up for gutting, you can also try etching, which is becoming very popular. Still use the templates, but don't cut through the skin of the pumpkin. Just scrape off the outer layer of rind using something sharp like a nail or screwdriver, until you see a lighter orange color.
