Step one/Credit:AJC

Halloween is coming, and I’m already seeing goofy costumes and tacky decor in local drug and grocery stores. I love it. It’s the only time of year when it’s absolutely acceptable to be tacky. Plus I’m a sucker for candy corn. Here’s a how-to on pumpkin carving that originally appeared in the AJC’s food section

Step one: the first cut is the deepest — use a sharp utility or chef’s knife to make that first down ward stroke into the top of your soon-to-be jack-o-lantern.

Step two/credit: AJC

Step two: create a “lid” by slicing off the excess flesh and seeds, then start burrowing out the inside of your pumpkin.

Step 3/credit: AJC

Step three: get the goo out. This is actually one of the most important steps — the cleaner your pumpkin is on the inside, the easier it will be to carve. Once all the flesh and seeds are removed, use a scooping tool to shave the area you’ll be carving down to no more than about one-inch thickness. That way, you’ll be able to cut more intricate designs later.

Step four/credit: AJC

Step four: use a template to trace your design onto your pumkin. Punch holes with a sharp knife or piercing tool. This design is by Alex, then 16, from a cover story pumpkin-carving contest for the AJC’s food section back in 2007.

Step five/credit:AJC

Step five: Now you can carve your pumpkin with ease. Use a carving saw, available in Pumpkin Masters kits for about $5 at craft stores. Wood carving tools can be used for fine definitions.

Happy Halloween/credit:AJC