Pumpkin Carving

Some people just can't make it through the month of October without ripping the guts out of some poor pumpkin whose only offense was being born orange and having seeds inside. This kind of seasonally- inspired urge makes a great excuse for an Autumn date—as long as you remember to bring a first aid kit.

COST

A couple of pumpkins will set you back $5.00 to $10.00, and you probably have the necessary tools hidden away in a kitchen drawer. Of course, allowing funds for something warm in a thermos won't offend your pumpkin and it may inspire your date.

DRESS

Wear nothing that you won't mind spilling pumpkin flesh all over.

RESOURCES

Follow the advice on the websites below to learn all you can about carving the pumpkin of your dreams. You'll find everything from the historical roots of pumpkin carving to suggestions about which tools to try and how to use them. You will even find instructions on how to pick the best pumpkins for carving.

Try www.pumpkin-carving.com for step-by-step instructions on carving a jack'o'lantern.

For pumpkin patterns, visit www.thepumpkinfarm.com.

For even more patterns and lots of information about pumpkins, go to www.jack-o-lantern.com.

Try http://byroads.com/magazine/pumpkins/patterns.html for suggestions on how to give your pumpkin a cool face.

Got an extra $75? Want the "ultimate pumpkin-carving kit?" Martha has it at www.marthastewart.com.