Make a real Jack-O’-lantern

Carving pumpkins into Jack-O’-lanterns is one of the iconic traditions of Halloween. This tradition stems from the Irish folktale about Jack O’Lantern,
a man who outwitted the devil several times, but as a result couldn’t enter heaven or hell after his death and was doomed to wander with a hollowed-out
turnip and a piece of coal. I came across the most beautiful pumpkin lanterns online. Take a look on Pinterest—some of them are true works of art.

 

Here’s what you’ll need:
– pumpkin
– paper towels
– spoon
– skewer
– small saw, knife, or carving tools.

 

Here’s how to make it:

Cut a lid off the top of the pumpkin. Scoop out the flesh and seeds, and scrape the inside as clean as possible.

Pat it dry with a piece of paper towel.

Use a marker to draw a face or another design on the pumpkin. You can also find all kinds of examples and even templates online.

Carefully saw, cut, or carve your design out of the thick pumpkin skin. Place a tea light inside the pumpkin and let it burn for a while until you see a black spot appear on the underside of the lid.

Cut that small piece out of the lid to create a vent, so the smoke can escape from the pumpkin.

I can’t wait to see your Jack-o’-lantern!
Love, Daphne