Halloween is just a couple of days away which can only mean one thing, everyone is pumpkin carving.

A few days before Halloween is the best time to carve your pumpkins so they still look good on the big day. And boy, have Oxford Mail readers been carving.

From the traditional designs to the outlandish, you have been busy.

We asked you to send in your best designs and were overwhelmed with entries, so we decided to pick the 8 best.

Remember, it's still not too late to get carving so before we reveal our top 10, here are some tips for what makes a great Halloween pumpkin:

  1. Make sure to follow proper technique to help avoid finger and hand injuries
  2. Use small, controlled motions when carving.
  3. Work in a well-lit work area. Keep your free hand out of the way to avoid mishaps.

Your 8 best pumpkin carvings:

Miladka Benadikova's entryMiladka Benadikova's entry (Image: Miladka Benadikova) Terresa Macfarlane's entryTerresa Macfarlane's entry (Image: Terresa Macfarlane) Emily Francis's entryEmily Francis's entry (Image: Emily Francis) Laura KinchLaura Kinch (Image: Laura Kinch) Wayne HoldenWayne Holden (Image: Wayne Holden) Linsey JonesLinsey Jones (Image: Linsey Jones) Lauren NorthLauren North (Image: Lauren North) Emma JamesEmma James (Image: Emma James) Are you having a Halloween party, or want to set the mood for trick-or-treaters and wondering how to carve?

No need to grab a special carving knife—just use what you'd use for dinner. 

A serrated knife can cut through thick pumpkin rind with ease, while a paring knife can detail the most minute cut-outs.

Go sweet or scary, cute or funny, clever or traditional.

Happy Halloween!