What happens if you carve your name in a pumpkin while it is still on the vine?

Carving a pumpkin while it is still on the vine will cause irreparable damage to the plant. This is because cutting into the pumpkin creates an opening which will allow for insects and diseases to enter, potentially destroying the pumpkin and reducing its quality. To protect and properly prepare your pumpkin for carving, it is better to allow it to mature fully and then harvest it, rather than carve it directly off the vine.