Tips

The following are some quick tips that I put together. I will try to keep adding to them as I have time.

• Look for a pumpkin with some kind of a deformity like warts, veins, lumps, bumps, or general odd shapes. Not only will they make a more interesting pumpkin but having these kinds of features will often help to suggest a unique face to you. (Rot is not a good deformity.)
• Look for a good stem. Stems are often overlooked but a good stem will add a lot of character to your pumpkin. Don’t pick up the pumpkin by the stem if you want to keep the stem.
• When you cut off the top, make sure that you cut it at an angle so that the top does not fall in and make sure that the hole is big enough to get your hand in to clean out the pumpkin.
• It helps to wash the dirt off the pumpkin before you start to carve. It really makes the pumpkin a lot more colorful and shiny.
• If you want to shave the skin off a part of the pumpkin (like the teeth) I recommend using a thin and flexible blade.