In our family any excuse to have a party is a good excuse. My parents have thrown a pumpkin carving party every year for as long as I can remember. We have chili, and wine, and hot dogs for the young-uns. Then we take over the table carving pumpkins, and fighting over the seeds. We all want to take them home. It’s all a very civil affair; there’s certainly no shouting over politics, or pumpkin goo flinging at all. We certainly don’t compete for the best pumpkin or anything. Ha!