I just read then you cut them out to mix 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar in a spray bottle, give it a shake and spray all cut surfaces inside and out. This kills the pumpkin-rotting bacteria and they last longer. I am an ole Granny and do not do this anymore but thought you ladies with little ones or your friends might need this info. Ruth

vegetables rot. it's a natural process. Don't start to soon.

BH&G mag also recommends putting vaseline on cut edges to preserve a little longer.

Wow! That is a good hint. We don't cut pumpkins anymore because there is such an ant problem here, they would attack a pumpkin.

Will try that this year. I still love to get my hands in the gooey mess we love fresh roasted pumpkin seeds it is the reason the girls still pick pumpkins.

My advice for picking pumpkins w/kids came out of a necessity because of a back injury but has lasted through many years. Tell the kids they can have the biggest pumpkin they can carry. It works until they figure out that if you help your sister you can get a bigger pumpkin just my 2 cents!

Another great tip is to cut the bottom of the pumpkin out instead of the top. That way it's a lot easier to light a candle inside of a jack o' lantern.

Thanks everyone for all the great tips

Then wash them good and make pumpkin pie.

I don't even usually have pumpkins anymore, but when I did I would paint them instead!

if you grow them, a good tip is to take a pin and scratch the kids names on them when they are small, as they grow the letters will grow too and they can find "Their" pumpkin in the patch!