It’s that time again. Time for the ghouls and goblins to appear. Time for the kids to dress-up in their best Halloween costumes and make there way through the neighborhood as they Trick-or-Treat. It’s also time for carving those jack-o-lanterns.
Before you can begin carving, though, you have to get out and find your pumpkin; and there are plenty of local farms with pumpkin patches for just such as thing. You’ll also want to plan ahead and keep these tips in mind before cutting open that pumpkin. Of course – Worlds of Fun is having their annual Howl-O-Fest! Go to our page and get discounted tickets if you are planning on going!
- Safety first!
- Do NOT let young children use a knife.
- When carving, keep your hands away from the direction of the knife.
- Use a sawing motion; never “force” the knife through the pumpkin.
- Pumpkin carving knives are highly recommended.
- For indoor pumpkins it is recommended to use battery operated lights inside your jack-o-lantern.
- Select the design you’d like to carve.
- Be sure to pick a design that matches your pumpkin’s shape and size.
- Transfer the design to the pumpkin.
- Poking small holes into the pumpkin where the design will be is a great idea.
- Start carving from the middle of the design working your way out.
- As you remove pieces of the pumpkin it becomes weaker.
- Take your time!
- This may be your most important step.
- It’s important to understand that quality pumpkin carving takes time, so don’t rush.
- To prolong the life of the jack-o’-lantern, seal in moisture by coating all cut surfaces with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil, or cover it with a damp towel when not on display.
If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (913) 312-3614 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.