Halloween is an exciting time of year. With the thrill of picking out a Halloween costume and trick-or-treating the whole night through, it's no wonder why adults and children a like love this holiday. Half of the fun of Halloween, is the preparation leading up to that special night. With to-do lists that include putting up fake cobwebs, making witch's brew punch and decorating the yard to look like a spooky grave yard, the entire family can get involved. But what is the number one family oriented Halloween event? Making that very special jack-o-lantern!

Jack-o-lanterns are a staple in the Halloween tradition. Dating back centuries, the Native Americans started using pumpkins and root vegetables for decorations. However, it wasn't until an old Irish folklore about "Stingy Jack" that carved and lighted pumpkins came about. Evolving over time, the carved jack-o-lanterns of modern day and age are very detailed and intricate. Often using stencils and traces to create huge pieces of art, jack-o-lanterns can be quite the showcase of Halloween spirit and skills. Here are a few good jack-o-lantern stencils:

• Pumpkin Patterns

• Pumpkin Stencils

• Pumpkin Carving Patterns

Before you pick out your jack-o-lantern stencil, you must pick out your pumpkin! Picking out a pumpkin is essential to the carving process. When choosing a pumpkin, personal preferences play a large factor. Are you looking for a large pumpkin? Do you want a unique stem? Generally, when choosing a pumpkin, you want to look for firm pumpkins, which are very orange in color. If the pumpkin is soft, that is a sign of rotting. You also want to examine the pumpkin, to make sure there are no cracks or holes. When carrying the pumpkin, make sure to hold it by the base - not the stem. The stem can easily break off.

Once you have selected your pumpkin, the carving can begin. Be sure to cover your work station with newspaper, as pumpkin carving can be quite messy. Start by selecting a serrated knife, or a knife that has teeth, to carve the pumpkin. The teeth on the knife make it easy to grip the pumpkin, and have less chance of slipping in the pumpkin flesh. Cut a large hole in the top of the pumpkin, making sure to give enough room to fit your entire hand in the pumpkin. Set the top aside. Now, the messy part begins. Using your hands, scrape the entire pumpkin clean; using a small garden shovel or ice cream scoop works well. Be sure the pumpkin is clean - you don't want any seeds or guts left on the inside.

Now that the pumpkin is gutted, the fun part can begin. It's a good idea to plan what you are going to carve on your pumpkin, before you begin carving. This can be done by simply drawing on the pumpkin with a marker. Planning your pumpkin face can save unnecessary accidents. If you are using a pumpkin stencil, they come with pre-planned sheets to trace over.

Once your pumpkin is carved, you will need to light it. Using a traditional tea light candle works best. Make sure not to set your lighted pumpkin around flammable materials, or anywhere it can be knocked over easily by anxious trick-or-treaters. Once the pumpkin is carved and lit, all that's left to do is sit back and enjoy your Halloween night!