Pumpkin Carving Success Tips
Kent Jacobson, a.k.a., "Mr. Success"

This article is a must read for anyone and everyone who is about to carve a pumpkin. I call these 5 tips, my Simple Pumpkin Carving Survival Guide. My advice is for you to read these tips before you begin this endeavor end up with a disastrous event again.  We all have experienced good and not so good pumpkin carving experiences.  Well, here is all you need to know to have a successful pumpkin carving experience.  These 5 easy tips that are guaranteed to make the day special and ease you mind:

1. Do a little prep work on the pumpkin carving design.  The kids want to have a cool pumpkin, but they also want to have some design input themselves.  Have a pumpkin transfer or template kit available to start out the process. The kits are available almost everywhere pumpkins are sold.  Also, get the kids or adults for that matter, to start designing ahead of time. Tell them ahead of time, everyone must have the design ready for transfer to the pumpkin prior anyone being allowed to carve their pumpkin.

2. Go out and get your self one of the pumpkin carving kits.  The kit will save your self from rummaging through the kitchen and allocating “tools” for the people involved. If there are kids, always handle the knives with strict adult supervision. Sure let the kids try, but have an adult do the cutting, pumpkins are tough.  These tools can also be shared and can create some pretty cool images when used correctly.

3. Have plenty of newspaper for the pumpkin guts.  This is not the most enjoyable for the kids, but you need to have them reach in and get gooey!  A large cooking spoon works very efficiently to complete this job is a short amount of time.  If you are the adventurous type, clean the seeds, soak in salt water (to taste) and bake until crunchy.

4. Make sure each person has a second pumpkin.  Why, well how many times has the “Oops factor” come into play? The knife slips or the tooth gets cut off … the eye is crooked … having a backup pumpkin plan saves the day. Even if you do not need them, send them home with one of the guests or give away as a prize to someone!

5. Take pictures of the whole process, it is a great time of year and everyone is around in good moods. Take a bunch, because some are destined for the scrap book!