Step One: Pick yourself a nice pumpkin. One with a flat bottom and a longish stem preferably! Mini-pumpkins work if you don’t plan a design that is overly elaborate.

Step Two: Put on your apron and put out some newspaper (for the mess!)

Step Three: Get a bowl, a spoon, a pumpkin-carving knife (any sharp knife will do but watch your fingers!), a tea-light and a marker.

Step Four: Cut the top off the pumpkin by cutting a circle around the stem, keeping the knife pointing slightly inward toward the stem to avoid dropping the lid inside.

Step Five: Scrape out the pulp and seeds as much as possible. Put them in the bowl, keep seeds for toasting, otherwise discard. Flatten the inner floor of the pumpkin by scraping with the spoon.

Step Six: Experiment with patterns on a piece of paper. The simpler the better but if you’re feeling creative see  here for some ideas.

Step Seven: Copy your design lightly onto the pumpkin using the marker.

Step Eight: Carefully cut out the pieces using the knife (watch your fingers!). Start at the centre (the nose) and work your way out to avoid putting pressure on areas of the pumpkin already carved which may cause the wall to collapse.

Step Nine: Remove any excess pulp from around the carved holes.

Step Ten: Light your tea-light and carefully place inside the pumpkin. Replace lid. And voila!

NB: Do not leave any candles unattended.

Click image for bigger size.

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