Be kind to your pumpkin - put down that knife

 
 
I may have many fine talents but intricate pumpkin carving à la Martha is not among them. Me, sharp knives and large, hard-skinned orange squash are just not a good mix. So this year, I may take the people who make Duck brand tape up on the suggestion to use coloured tape to make the ultimate Jack O’Lantern. They have more than 20 colours to choose from, including camouflage, day-glo brights and silver. And of course, you know you’ll always use up the left-over on various fix-it tasks around the home. To encourage others to try this new form of Halloween decoration, the company has launched a “Stick or Treat” Jack O’Lantern contest. Would-be winners should post a photograph of their duct tape pumpkin on the Stick-or-Treat promotion page by November 1, 2010. Entries will be judged based on originality, workmanship, use of color and (of course) duct tape. The winner of the $1,000 prize will be named around November 17, 2010.