How To Create Beautiful Pumpkin Luminaries

Hollow out your pumpkin

Use a knife to carve a large circular opening into the bottom of your pumpkin. Clean out the inside thoroughly, scooping away the pulp and seeds with a spoon. DON’T FORGET: Enter the TOH Pumpkin Carving Contest

Transfer your pattern

Rough out a design on paper first, then mark the dots on the pumpkin with a permanent marker. Try a swirling or geometric design, or randomly space dots on the pumpkin shell. DON’T FORGET: Enter the TOH Pumpkin Carving Contest

Drill holes in the pumpkin

Gripping the gourd securely near the stem and using a drill/driver, bore holes where you made markings. Be sure to hollow out all the dots you drew for your pattern. DON’T FORGET: Enter the TOH Pumpkin Carving Contest

Pop in the lights

Insert a string of small lights through the pumpkin’s bottom and push a bulb halfway through each hole. Run the lights’ cord from the bottom of the gourd to an outdoor receptacle. DON’T FORGET: Enter the TOH Pumpkin Carving Contest