But follow these easy steps for carving a pumpkin, and that orange gourd can become a goulish decoration.

Choosing a pumpkin

Choose the size and shape of the pumpkin based on the design you're going to do. Select one that is uniformly orange (ripe) and free of nicks, cuts and dents. The face of it also should be as smooth as possible.

Don't pick up the pumpkin by the stem as it could break, and try to buy directly from local farmers in the area. Go to the county government Web site, which should list the local pumpkin growers near you.

The right tools

You're not Michael Myers in Halloween, so put down that butcher knife. A thin-bladed, medium-lengthed paring or boning knife will do. You also can buy a pumpkin carving kit at a dollar store or grocery store for cheap, which includes a cerated carving knife. You also will need a poker tool or a nail to transfer the stenciled design to the face of the pumpkin.

Also get an X-Acto knife for finer work and a grease pencil or magic marker for drawing out the design if you choose to do it freehand. For more elaborate designs, you can download stencils from the Internet and print them on regular paper.

Finally, use a big spoon, or better yet, an ice cream paddle to scoop the pumpkin guts out.

Cut it up!

Cut the top off by using the knife at an angle away from the stem so the top doesn't fall into the pumpkin. Make the hole big enough to clean out the innards by hand. But don't cut a circle. Carving a hexagon with straight sides or a star is easier and allows you to put the top back on the right way.

After removing the pumpkin's intestines, scrape the inside walls clean. Make sure the inside bottom is flat to steady the candle.

If you decide to use a pattern instead of carving by freehand, cut the excess paper around the drawing and tape it to the pumpkin, first the top, the bottom, and then the sides.

Following the lines of the design on the stencil, use the poker tool to punch holes into the paper and skin of the pumpkin (but not all the way through the pumpkin), about an eighth of an inch apart.

Remove the paper and start carving the pumpkin like a dot-to-dot picture. On sharper turns in the design, it's best to pull the knife out and re-insert at the corners.

Let there be light

We could tell you to use tea-light candles like everyone else - that is if you want to run the risk of burning your house down or setting one of the kids on fire. And never use AC-powered lights.

May we suggest small, inexpensive battery-powered fake candles. Some even flicker. You can find those at the local dollar or grocery store.

Also coat the cut edges with petroleum jelly to help seal in the pumpkin's moisture. It also helps create a glistening effect.