Pumpkin carving isn’t as easy as it might sound. Things get messy, the carving is tough, and then your pumpkin shrivels up only a few days later. If you are planning on carving a pumpkin this Halloween, here are a few tips.

Use vaseline: pumpkins shrivel up and die because they lose moisture quickly. Try covering the cut edges with vaseline to help trap moisture inside.

No Carve: carving can be a mess, so why not skip it altogether? You can paint, glitter, or add props like fake eyes and ears to your pumpkin.

Use the stem: your pumpkin’s stem can be a great ugly nose. So turn it on its side and decorate a face around the stem.