how to light a jack-o-lantern

Lighting a jack-o-lantern can be tricky business. It's easy to burn yourself as you try to hold a match to the tiny tealight you've placed inside your pumpkin. 

I picked up this tip during my time at Martha Stewart. Instead of reaching your hand into the pumpkin with a lit match, light a piece of spaghetti instead. It will burn very slowly, and serves as the perfect tool to light your candle without burning yourself in the process. I realize you can also use glow sticks or touch lights in your pumpkins instead of candles, and not worry about burning your fingers at all, but that's cheating in my book. Half the fun of a jack-o-lantern is seeing it flicker and glow by candlelight. We lit ours tonight and they look beautiful out on the porch. Happy Halloween!

Comments

[Lecia]

I'm going to try the spaghetti trick tonight! I've been burning my fingers all week. I agree - glow sticks seem like cheating.

[joanna goddard]

great tip! i'm always burning my fingers :)

[sara bee jensen]

hi! i wanted to send you an email with a picture of my sons costume that your owl one inspired. i cant find your contact on here anywhere. could you let me know where to send it?

[Brooke]

Hi Sara
I'd love to see it!
brooke@inchmark.com
B

[Caroline]

What a great idea! I use extra shish kabob sticks...

[Rachel]

another easy option (to avoid using yummy spaghetti) is to cut a hole from the bottom instead of the top. You can still scoop everything out, and this way the pumpkin just sit on top of the candle, instead of being placed inside of it.

[reckless daughter]

agreed about the glowstick :)