There are many joys of Halloween: costume-making, candy selection, pumpkin picking, trick-or-treating. Most parents would probably agree, though, that carving pumpkins, while fun, can be a very messy endeavor.

Here are some tips for keeping the carving mess under control.

First, pick a good spot for carving. Doing it outside on a picnic table or on the garage floor will make for easy cleanup. If you need to do it inside, make sure you carve over a hard floor rather than a rug.

Next, cover the area with a large plastic tarp or disposable plastic tablecloth. Both of these are more durable than newspaper, which can leave smudges and can be easily punctured.

Keep a few bowls out – one for pumpkin innards and one for seeds to roast later.

Use the right utensils: a sharp knife that makes clean cuts, and a sturdy scooper to get the inside clean.

Keep paper towels or hand wipes close-by to clean your hands while you work. Don’t try to walk back and forth to the sink.

When you’re done, dump the innards bowl into a trash bag, and wipe down the tarp with a rag or fold up the disposable tablecloth, keeping the mess contained inside.

Finally, spray your masterpieces with vinegar or hot pepper to keep squirrels from eating them.  To help prevent mold from growing on your pumpkin, wipe it down with bleach.

Trick or treat! Have a safe and wonderful Halloween.