When trick or treaters call

GracieP

This is the first year I'm expecting to have children calling to the door. In our last area the children didn't seem to trick or treat. In our new neighbourhood it's definitely being celebrated. Lots of people have Halloween decorations up. And our residents association has sent out paper pumpkins for those happy to have kids call to put on their door.

What's the etiquette? When I was young we used to get fruit, an apple/orange or a handful of grapes/nuts. Only kids on American tv got "candy." But I get the impression that it's all sweets now. I've got several bags of lollies and mini packets of sweets, about 100 pieces. I have no idea if that's going to be enough or not, our area has a lot of young families. Is one lolly a bit mean? Should I give two?

Also when we were kids we used to go out between 6-9pm, once it got dark. But the RA newsletter suggested children should not knock after dark. But surely lots of young children who have two working parents will only be able to come out after 6pm? So I assume I should expect children til at least 8/9pm?

RustyFlange

Personally I think 9pm is way too late. However children/parents of the children seem to have different ideas.

Your comment about 1 lollipop being too mean I disagree ... you have made the effort to buy these things, as will others in your neighbourhood, if there are 100 people who all give out 1 item to each child then there is 100 sweets which is a massive amount!

I have bought 1 medium sized bag of lollipops if and when they go then I will turn away children (it sounds awful but I am on a budget)
If you feel you don't have enough then why not make up a few cupcakes and ice them in orange/green etc and hand them out?

nearlyrich

I don't understand why people tell their children not to take sweets from strangers all year and then let them take part in an American manufactured tradition of knocking on people's doors to beg for sweets.

muz

I have made decorated cookies to hand out...I understand that some people may be uncomfortable with the idea of their children receiving home-made items, but I am a cake decorator, and almost all of the kids who call know this, so not really a problem I hope!!! They have usually eaten them by the time they get to the bottom of the drive!!

I tend to find that by about 8 o'clock, there are only teenagers left, who are probably coming for a second time to see if you have any sweets left!!!, so I move the pumpkin out of the window around this time, and they soon give up and go away!! :rotfl:

Does anyone ask for tricks anymore? We always used to prepare a trick of some sort...that was half the fun, but last year, I said 'trick' to some young lads, and they ended up singing 'We wish you a Merry Christmas', because they couldn't think of anything else!!!! :rotfl:

Happy Hallowe'en!!! :beer:

Natbag

I've bought a tub of sweets, £3.99 in Sainsbury's, and the kids will be getting one or two each. Hopefully we won't run out, but this is our first Halloween living here and there seem to be loads of kids around, so who knows.

I like the idea of stickers in windows to tell trick or treaters if they can call or not. We carve a pumpkin and put it lit in the window to let them know it's ok to call - not that it would make any difference if we didn't! :rolleyes:

I don't mind so much Halloween for one night in the year, but I do mind fireworks going off for weeks around Bonfire Night, especially the massive bangs late at night, and being verbally abused by two groups of kids hanging around right outside our local shop day and night asking for a 'penny for the guy'. They don't want a penny, they want serious hard cash, and those who don't oblige get an earful. And the store security guard does nothing. Why is it suddenly ok for kids to be begging on streets? And where are their parents? Only another week to go. Sigh. :mad:

LittleMissAspie

I'd go out for the evening. I have somehow managed to live in places that aren't typically residential since I moved out from home though, so we've never had a trick or treater. I think it's a horrible practice - "give me something for free or I'll chuck something nasty through your door". Umm yeah, great thing to teach children.

helping_hubby

We're off out for the night!

About 20 years ago, kids used to wash the windows with soapy water if you didn't answer the door. Move on a few years and my mum had a pumpkin thrown at her when she opened the door! Since the pumpkin incident we don't answer the door anymore.

At one of my houses at uni I had kids screaming and banging the door down. And then in the morning found loads of eggs had been thrown at the door.

It's a shame though because there are plenty of genuine trick or treaters. And the younger kids are so cute dressed up.

In answer to your question, 1 lollypop is fine. They should be grateful for anyone opening the door these days.

GracieP

nearlyrich wrote: »

I don't understand why people tell their children not to take sweets from strangers all year and then let them take part in an American manufactured tradition of knocking on people's doors to beg for sweets.

But it's not an American tradition. It's Irish and dates back hundreds of years. The festival it comes from is celtic and dates back thousands. It was only celebrated in America when there was mass emigration from Ireland in the 17th-19th centuries. The Americans just liked it so much they took it and ran with it.

spendingmad

DH gives out the sweets one 'fun size' choccie bar, while i go out with the DS & DD trick or treating. It is a nice night on our housing development. At about 8pm I usually put a note on the door saying 'sorry no more treat or treaters, children/baby gone to bed. Please do not knock' in the past three years we have not had anyone knock. Hope you have a nice night!

GracieP

spendingmad wrote: »

Hope you have a nice night!

I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be gutted if no kids come. On the other hand if they don't I'll have a big pile of sweets for the dh and I to share.:D

foxxymynx

This year is the first year I'm going to entertain trick or treaters. I'm unsure if I should ask them to do their trick to get their treat, hehe.

I've made 18 little goodie bags and once they are gone that's it - but i'll be going to the door dressed up