Hello everyone!

This is Robert from AEON Yurakucho school.

Halloween is coming soon, and I have been seeing lots of decorations in shops around Tokyo. It has reminded me of Halloween in the United States.

One of my favorite American Halloween traditions is carving a pumpkin, called a Jack-o'-lantern.

If you go to America in October,you can see large Jack-o'-lanterns outside many houses. While some people have plastic Jack-o'-lanterns they use every year,
many people make hand-carved Jack-o'-lanterns using real pumpkins. Making a Jack-o'-lantern takes a lot of time and is very messy, but it is a lot of fun.

First, you need to buy a big pumpkin. In America, you can buy one at a
supermarket for around $5 (\500).

Then, you need to cut off the top of the pumpkin and empty out the inside of
the pumpkin (you can use what you take out to make pumpkin pie or roasted pumpkin seeds!).

Next, you need to carve the face with a knife. Finally, once the Jack-o'-lantern is complete, you can put a small candle or portable light inside so it lights up. Usually people start putting out their Jack-o'-lanterns in the week or two before Halloween, but it is important not to put it out too early, because the pumpkin may rot before Halloween night and the trick-or-treaters won't be able to appreciate it.

Thank you for reading!

Do you have any special Halloween memories? Please share them with us when you come to AEON!