Pumpkin carving is one of the most beloved fall traditions in many families. As the leaves begin to change and the red and orange mums begin to bloom on southern front porches, jack-o-lanterns also start popping up.
In recent years, folks have gone beyond the simple snaggle-toothed characters to elaborate creations just as at home in a museum as a stoop.
To help families celebrate the occasion, we put together 6 Alabama-themed templates you can use for free to carve pumpkins with your family this weekend!
Want to make your carved pumpkin last longer? Website About.com recommends these five steps:
Mix up a preservative solution for your carved pumpkin consisting of 2 teaspoons of household bleach per gallon of water.
Fill a sink, bucket, or tub with enough of the bleach solution to totally immerse the carved jack o lantern. Place the jack o lantern in the bleach mixture right after you have finished carving it. Soak the carved pumpkin for 8 hours or overnight.
Remove the pumpkin from the liquid and allow it to air dry. Spray the pumpkin inside and outside with a commercial pumpkin preservative or use your own mixture, consisting of 1 teaspoon of bleach in water. Spray the pumpkin once daily, to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
Smear petroleum jelly on all of the cut surfaces of the pumpkin. This will prevent the pumpkin from drying out and getting that puckered, shriveled look.
Protect the jack o lantern from sun or rain, since one will dry the pumpkin out, while the other will promote the growth of mold. If possible, refrigerate your jack o lantern when it’s not in use.
