Pumpkins have been a part of Halloween celebrations for centuries in America, and if you love to carve them into Jack O'Lanterns, you will also need something to preserve them.

If you decide you want to carve your pumpkin early, you need to think about how to keep it from turning into a rotting mess on your front porch or in your garage.

The Old Farmer's Almanac explains that a carved pumpkin will only last 3 days to a week after you have put the knife into it. So, this begs the question, "why do we do this anyway?"

Animals Get Into The Spirit Of Halloween
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Why Do We Carve Pumpkins?

The practice, according to America Comes to Life, comes from the Celtic people who inhabited the Western region of Europe many centuries ago. Not having pumpkins, the Celts would carve up other types of gourds native to their area.

They would carve them out, and put a candle in them, to prevent evil spirits from getting to them. It coincides with the end of the summer harvest.

The gourdes also symbolized how the light in them would guide the good spirits to the homes of the people walking to and from the huge bonfires they would build at the end of harvest.

Fall pumpkins and flowers
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How Did The Tradition of Carving Pumpkins Come to America?

As more people began to immigrate to America, they discovered the pumpkins were larger than the gourds, and they made great Jack O'Lanters.

They are called Jack O'Lanterns after we carved based on a folktale about a man named Jack who made a bargain with the devil and his spirit to roam the earth for all time. The story has so many details, that you should read the version presented by the website, How Stuff Works.

The Jack O'Lantern is supposed to ward off all evil spirits.

Carved Pumpkin
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What Can I Use To Preserve My Carved Pumpkin Longer?

Something that you likely have in your toolbox, out in the garage, or maybe even in your laundry room can help to preserve the life of your pumpkin once it is carved.

When you want to carve up your pumpkin and enjoy it longer than just Halloween night you have to worry that it's going to get all moldy and cave in on itself.

Do you have WD40 in the house or garage? You will need this simple can to do the trick of making your carved pumpkin last longer.

And other people also have other hacks for preserving your pumpkins after carving.

So do all the hacks work? See for yourself.

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