Glowing White Lantern

• 1). Cut a 4- to 5-inch circle out of the base of a medium-sized white pumpkin and set aside. Turn the pumpkin on its side and scoop out the flesh and seeds. Take care not to break the stem.
  
  
• 2). Use a power drill with a large bit and drill holes into the pumpkin at 1-inch intervals. Drill the holes in a linear pattern or randomly over the entire pumpkin.
  
  
• 3). Push a chopstick or a pencil through each of the holes to remove an strings of pulp and assure a clear opening. Wipe the exterior of the pumpkin with a clean cloth or dishtowel.
  
  
• 4). Set a tea light on the piece that was removed from the pumpkin. Light the candle and set it in the pumpkin.
  
  

No Light Jack-o-Lantern

• 1). Visit a large produce market that offers an array of pumpkins and gourds. Choose a large pumpkin that is slightly misshapen to give the look of facial features like a forehead, chin or fat cheeks.
  
  
• 2). Select two small, round gourds for the jack-o-lanterns eyes. Choose another small gourd with an elongated "handle" to serve as the nose.
  
  
• 3). Push toothpicks into the backsides of the two small gourds. Position them on the "face" of the large pumpkins. Attach the "nose" in the same manner, positioning it to create the most interesting face.
  
  
• 4). Use this no-candle jack-o-lantern indoors or outside under a porchlight.
  
  

Mini-Monsters to Hang

• 1). Cut the tops off several mini-pumpkins (and gourds). Scrape out the flesh, seeds and fibers using a metal spoon or a melon baller.
  
  
• 2). Draw a face with a marking pen on each pumpkin. Use a craft knife and carefully cut out the details of each face.
  
  
• 3). Drill a hole at either side of each pumpkin about 1/2 inch down from the top cut edge. Use a large bit. Drill several holes around the rear of the carved pumpkin to allow ventilation for the candle.
  
  
• 4). Cut a piece of twine 24 to 30 inches long. Thread one end of twine through one of the holes at the side of the pumpkin. Knot the twine inside the pumpkin. Repeat on the other side.
  
  
• 5). Place a tea light inside each pumpkin. Replace the lid.
  
  
• 6). Hang the Mini Monsters from tree branches, posts or beams and light them. Monitor them carefully once they are lit.
  
  

Variations on the Theme

• 1). Start with a medium to large orange pumpkin. Cut off the top. Use metal scraping tools to clean out the flesh and seeds from the inside.
  
  
• 2). Draw a pattern of small stars all over the pumpkin. Use a craft knife to carve out the stars. Illuminate the jack-o-lantern and replace the lid.
  
  
• 3). Sketch out the letters b-o-o in lowercase across the front of the pumpkin. Cut out the letter shapes with a craft knife. Use four thumb tacks to attach a piece of parchment over the carved letters inside the pumpkin for a spooky effect. Illuminate and replace the lid.
  
  
• 4). Use a one-inch round hors d'oeurves cutter to create a random pattern over the surface of the pumpkin. Carefully cut away the rounds leaving about 1/8 inch of flesh at the base of each round. Set a tealight inside the pumpkin and replace the lid.
  
  
• 5). Create a series of jack-o-lanterns with the house number. Carve one digit on each pumpkin. Line them up in order on the front porch and illuminate them at night.