For as long as I can remember I have carved pumpkins into Jack O’ Lanterns every Halloween. What to carve? How to carve it? What knife to use? Free Hand or by a guide? Quite a thing, right? Is it a perfect pumpkin for carving? What is a perfect pumpkin for carving, anyway? Well, I figured, with so much that goes along with this tradition, why not find out a little more about it! So, after a small amount of research on the topic, I discovered five facts that I thought I would share with you before you stick that candle in your Jack O’ Lantern tonight! So, it’s not in vain, you know? You’re welcome! 🙂

Let’s begin:

1. Traditionally, turnips were the vegetable of choice for carving in Ireland and Scotland because of its availability.

2. The term Jack O’ Lantern originally meant Night Watchman and it wasn’t until 1837 that the Jack O’ Lantern appeared as a term for a carved vegetable lantern.

3. In the United States, a carved pumpkin was first associated with the harvest season long before it became an emblem of Halloween!

4. Originally created in the British Isles on All Hallows Eve, the carved pumpkin was left on a doorstep and was believed to ward off evil spirits.

5. The term Trick or Treat comes from the act of leaving said carved pumpkin as an offering (or treat) to appease roaming spirits, who otherwise might mess with (or trick) a farmer’s property or livestock.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Source: Wikipedia