Purchasing a Perfect Pumpkin for Halloween

With Halloween being less than a week away, we wanted to make sure that you don’t neglect one of Halloween’s longest running traditions, and that is the pumpkin. Pumpkins are normally ignored throughout the year, but during the fall season, pumpkins can be found and seen everywhere. From lattes to bread, pumpkins can be found virtually everywhere.

So we have created a guide to making sure that you purchase and carve the best looking pumpkin this Halloween.

Purchasing a Pumpkin

You can purchase your pumpkin anytime during October. Keep in mind that un-carved pumpkins can last a long time, while carved pumpkins can rot faster. To preserve your carved pumpkin, make sure the pumpkin is stores in an outdoor, cool space. Of course, if you wait to make the pumpkin purchase on Halloween you will definitely get the best price. But remember that while you might save a couple of bucks, you will be left to choose from the dregs of the patch.

Where Can You Purchase a Pumpkin

Depending on where you live, purchasing pumpkins can range. In urban and suburban areas, your best bet would be to purchase your pumpkin from your local grocery. But in more rural areas, you may be able to catch someone selling a pumpkin right from their front yard.

What Should It Look Like

Pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. When looking for the right pumpkin, make sure that you make sure that the pumpkin has an uniformed color. You also want to make sure that the pumpkin is firm and that the stem doesn’t feel soft. Keep in mind that if you are purchasing a pumpkin for culinary delight, stay away from the big orange pumpkins. Instead purchase a smaller one known as a “sugar pumpkin” or a “pie pumpkin.”

Scooping and Carving

When carving a pumpkin, make sure that your knives are sharpened, or make sure that you have already purchased your pumpkin carving kit. Pumpkin carving kits usually run between $5 and $10. You also want to make sure that you have a large spoon or an ice cream scooper to successfully clean out the pumpkins guts.

Follow this advice for the best pumpkin shopping and carving experience.

Also don’t forget that there is still 7 days left to enter Consolidated Credit’s “Frightfully Frugal Halloween Costume Contest” on Facebook. All you have to do is create your own original costume costing less than $15 for your chance to win FREE money. Click Here to enter.

Jessica Williams is Consolidated Credit’s Marketing Communications New Media Coordinator. As a member of the education team, Jessica focuses on helping consumers make better financial decisions while living debt-free. She has previously worked with Take Stock In Children, where she was a mentor and communications specialist, and SouthPromo.com, where she managed community relations, event planning, marketing, and public relations. Jessica attended both the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida where she received her B.S. in Interpersonal/Organizational Communications and Marketing. Connect with Jessica on Google+.