A few materials you will need to get started: a curved boning knife, pumpkin scoop, flameless led tea lights, classic tea light candles, the ultimate pumpkin carving kit, ice cream scoop, petroleum jelly, and ground cinnamon.

1.) First you need to make sure the pumpkin is fresh, with no bruises, and a flat bottom so it won’t roll over.

2.) Start by cutting from the bottom instead of the top. Michael Natiello, pumpkin carving pro, says cutting your “lid” from the bottom of the pumpkin helps prevent the sides from caving in later.

3.) When you finish cutting it, take out as much pulp you possibly can.

4.) Then, you sketch your idea out on a piece of paper, then transfer the design onto your pumpkin.

5.) Try holding your pumpkin in your lap. It’s easier to create features when the face is gazing up. You should use a serrated kitchen knife or an X-Acto knife for carving.

6.) Start by making simple rough cuts. If you get the big pieces of pumpkin out the way first, you can go back and clean up the edges of your design later.

7.) Use your scraps creatively. Make a tongue, pipe, or hair accessories out of a discarded piece of pumpkin shell, for example.

8.) Keeping your pumpkin fresh. Natiello recommends spreading petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture. If your pumpkin still shrivels a few days later, you can revive it with a face down soak in cold water for up to eight hours.

9.) Create a Chimney.  First, leave the lid on for a few minutes while the candles burns. Then make a small hole where the lid has blackened.

10.) Sprinkle a little cinnamon inside the lid. That way, when you light the candle, your jack-o’-lantern will smell like pumpkin pie.