In the spirit of Halloween, a famous tradition, besides dressing up in costume, is to carve a pumpkin.

-- Picking your pumpkin:

Pumpkins that are flat and don't roll work best. Look for pumpkins with a sturdy stem, that is the sign of a healthy pumpkin. Don't lift the pumpkin by the stem. This can damage the pumpkin and make it age faster. If the pumpkin feels heavy and sloshy, put it back.

Tip: Some people like to choose those that are a little odd shaped so it will be unique.

-- Preparing your pumpkin:

To cut out a lid, use a long, thin-bladed knife to cut out the top of the pumpkin around the stem. The hole should be large enough to allow you to scoop out the seeds and stringy membrane with a large spoon.

The size of the hole should be about two-thirds the diameter of the pumpkin. Cutting a five- or six-sided opening, like a puzzle piece, will work best. As you cut out the top hole, angle the knife so that the lid and hole will be cone-shaped. This will help prevent the lid from falling into the hole. Use a large spoon to scrape the inside walls of the pumpkin clean. The wall for the front of the pumpkin should be no more than one-inch thick. Anything more makes carving difficult, however too thin a layer will dry out and wrinkle the pumpkin.

Tip: Separate pumpkin seeds into a bowl so you can bake them later. Visit NorthTahoeLiving.com for Heidi's Pumpkin Seeds recipe.

-- Carving your pumpkin:

Inspect the surface of the pumpkin to decide the best side to carve. Visualizing the face you want to carve, outline the design with a washable marker so you can wipe away the lines. Cut through the pre-marked lines with your short knife. Make slow tiny saw motions.

Tip: Cutting the shapes into smaller sections makes it easier to push the pieces through the pumpkin.

-- To illuminate:

Scrape the bottom of the pumpkin flat, so that the candle will sit level in the pumpkin.

You can use plain white candles or tealights.

Tip: Votive candles placed in a clear, glass candle holder are safer and will last longer.

-- To preserve your pumpkin:

Place the pumpkin in a tub of cold water, carved side face-down. Let the pumpkin float and the insides fill with water. The pumpkin will absorb the water and become firm.

Tip: Rub petroleum jelly along the exposed edges of pumpkin to prevent it from shriveling. If your pumpkin does shrivel, soak it in a bath of cold water for at least an hour.

- Information from Walt's Pumpkin Carving Secrets at wls.wwco.com.