4 easy steps to carve the perfect Halloween pumpkin

So Halloween is just around the corner and you've decided it would be fun to carve a jack-o’-lantern to impress all the trick-or-treaters knocking on your door ... after all, how hard can it be? Well, if you've never done it before or even if you're a seasoned veteran, pumpkin carving can be a stressful job, so here's 4 easy steps to carving a pumpkin you won't be embarrassed to put in your window!

1. Choose a large pumpkin and use a sharp serrated knife to cut off the crown (our Staysharp Multi-purpose Knife is the perfect knife for this job!) If you cut out the lid on an angle, not straight up-and-down, the lid won't drop inside the pumpkin when you replace it. 

2. Using a large serving spoon, scoop out the insides, then remove a little of the flesh.

3. Using a marker pen, draw the outline of your Halloween face on the pumpkin. Or even better, print off a template and tape it to the pumpkin so you know exactly where to cut. Use a small serrated knife to cut it out. Remember to always cut away from you in case the knife slips!

4. Pop a tea light inside the pumpkin, light it and replace the crown.  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

MORE TOP TIPS AND TRICKS

• Put down some newspaper or an old cloth on your table before you start - carving is a messy business!
• If you’re a beginner, don’t be over-ambitious – a simple, bold shape is easiest to do and still looks impressive.
• Straight lines are simpler to carve, so think about replacing circles with triangles.
• If your pumpkin’s a little unsteady, why not saw off the bottom as well as the top?
• Not sure what to carve? You can download free stencils at www.pumpkinpile.com
• If you don't like the smell of your pumpkin, sprinkle some cinnamon on the underside of the lid. Some people claim this makes it last longer too.
• To preserve its life, keep your lantern in the fridge when you’re out of the house.
• You can create a 'chimney' in the top of your lantern by carving a small hole in the lid, which reduces burning. First, leave the lid on for a few minutes while the candle burns. Then make a small hole where the lid has blackened. Or, save yourself the stress and go with battery-operated tealights instead!