Judging shines a spotlight of appreciation on all the artists' hard work. Let your guests know when judging will take place, so they'll have a deadline for finishing. To give your judges (we usually have at least three) the ceremonial seriousness their position requires, make our Pumpkin Judge's Hat. If other partygoers want their own -- and they probably will! -- they're a snap to make.

7) AWARD PLENTY OF PRIZES

When your judges are suitably attired, explain to them how the judging is done. Before the party, you'll have put a handful of candy, stickers, or trinkets in brown paper lunch bags, one for each carver. After reviewing the entries, the judges declare each one "best" at something -- Best Eyes, Most Artistic, Scariest, and so on. They then write the award on a pumpkin cutout (see invitation directions for how-tos), tape the cutout to a goody bag, and award the prize to the artist. For the judges' best-in-show grand prize, pick up something a little more special. We usually award a fall decoration such as a front yard scarecrow or some other seasonal novelty that will remind the winner of the party each time he or she sets it out in years to come.