When trick or treaters call

wilroda

I think its commercial codswollop and I for one will be going out tomorrow night.

What right have these kids to disturb your evening asking for sweets or issuing you with threats?

It should be banned IMO

belle2008

GracieP I also think one lollipop is fine, as the kids will be getting sweets from loads of other people not just you. I find these days they all seem to carry little bags/baskets which they hold out for you to pop a sweet in, so they probably don't even know what they've had from each house by the end of the night anyway, as it's all mixed up.

I am in two minds about halloween, it kind of annoys me having the doorbell going all evening, so some years we don't bother answering, but then I feel a bit mean! I don't mind the young kids coming round, but it p****s me off when their teenage siblings/babysitters tag along and expect a treat too, and they don't even bother dressing up!! I am definatly having a rule this year, no fancy dress = no treat. (Hope i don't get eggs thrown at me or sumthing!! :eek:) Oh and one year I decided to give out little toys, coloured pencils etc. instead of sweets as they get so many...but the kids were so bloomin' ungrateful!! They just wanted sweets! :mad:

My son wants to go trick and treating this year (he's 5) I will have to go with him so won't be at home anyway! Not sure whether to let him do it or not? (sigh) I suppose I will have to...:p

GracieP

belle2008 wrote: »

I am in two minds about halloween, it kind of annoys me having the doorbell going all evening, so some years we don't bother answering, but then I feel a bit mean!

I think the idea of putting a paper/real pumpkin at your door/window is a good one. My grandfather died on Halloween when I was 11, so that was not a night to have lots of strange children calling to the door. And this year I had a miscarriage last month, so up until a week ago I was touch and go as to how I would cope with having children at the door throughout the day.

But I'm actually looking forward to it now, as long as I don't get egged.

jamtart6

one lollipop is fine - can i just say to everyone who makes their own stuff, i know a lot of parents round here wouldnt let their kids eat in as they dont know whats in it and only like wrapped stuff which i can agree with (different if you know the person i expect).

belle - why dont you go round a few of the neighbours that you know??

RoxieW

I think alot of people are abit miserley about halloween. My two aged 6 (tomo!) and 4 love getting dressed up and I take them around our cul de sac. I hardly think it's begging for sweets - I really dont like that phrase. It's just abit of fun for the little ones and people generally love seeing them dressed up. They also love it when we get trick or treaters to the door and enjoy seeing their costumes and handing out sweets. I think people who have something against that are means spirited and need to lighten up abit.
I do agree though that trick or treaters should be in fancy dress, that they should come before nine o clock and that they should be polite. I definately dont agree with tricks - eggs being thrown etc but thats a whole different kettle of fish. Its anti social behaviour/assault and wouldnt be tolerated on any other night of the year and shouldnt occur on halloween.
Halloween at it's best can be a really fun, special day for all in my opinion

blue_monkey_2

I am a mum and I take my kids trick or treating. I, and the other mums, only let our kids call at houses that have lit pumpkins outside - so if you want kids to call put a pumpkin outside. My mum complains that she has no trick or treaters but does not put a pumpkin out.

I usually got to the houses of people I know and never call on houses where I know there are old people - unless they have the pumpkin outside. If there is no pumpkin or decoarations we do not call on that house. Most people do use the same etiquette and if I see kids knocking on doors that have no pumpkin I do get a bit bossy and tell them off (LOL).

As for what to give them, put them in a bowl - most mums will say 'just one' and my kids will take one thing unless promted to take something else.

Yes it is a load of commercial old codswallop but my kids love dressing up, sticking face paints on and going around the streets and getting a few goodies from people who are openly offering an invitation to be able to do so. Most get disappointed if there are no callers and they want them. We end up eating half of the sweets as they get way too many, but it is just a bit of fun one night of the year.

It is like carol singing. Now, what do you give carol singers?? We have had a few of those in the last few years but it is more kids singing to get some money I think.

It really annoys me when kids are out unattended or when groups of teenagers go around knocking on doors late (we never go out after 7.30pm) and scaring people.

So, from my point of view:
Get a pumpkin outside if you want to tell callers you are happy for them to call
Put the treats in a bowl and tell them to help themselves, most are not greedy and will take just one, towards he end of the night you can offload more if you have not had many callers, if you run out then just say 'sorry, you are too late and they have all gone now'.
And do not answer the door after 9pm if you do not want to - I've never had callers after this time, if you really do not want to answer the door switch the lights off and go sit in another room. We are usually home by 7.30 anyway.

Enjoy the night if you want the callers, my kids just love the dressing up and seeing other kids walking around and what they are wearing. It is just one night of the year after all.

HTH

belle2008

jamtart6 wrote: »

belle - why dont you go round a few of the neighbours that you know??

Yes I think thats what we'll do, it would be very mean of me to not take him really! It's just the thought of wandering round in the cold and dark...:p
I was a little reluctant as my DS tends to be very shy with people he doesn't know well, often he refuses to even say hello, so although he wants to go he's probably going to refuse to even say 'Trick or treat' when we knock on the doors! Might look like I'm forcing him to go out trick an treating!

GracieP

blue_monkey wrote: »

And do not answer the door after 9pm if you do not want to - I've never had callers after this time, if you really do not want to answer the door switch the lights off and go sit in another room.

I don't mind too much about late callers. But I don't think my husband will be too impressed if anyone interrupts his viewing of the last episode of Charlie Brooker's Dead Set.:D That's on pretty late though.

Our resident's association sent around paper pumpkins to tape to the door if we want callers. And we only have a tiny front garden so it will be visible.

jamtart6

would he like it if a few friends came round to join him in his trick or treating??

Toto

I totally agree roxie. Some people seem to relish doom and gloom.

I love having the little ones all dressed up coming to the door, they are so cute and it's all just a bit of fun. My littlest (until I give birth in 2 weeks or so) is 11 and has severe autism, she has been so excited all year (since the last halloween) about getting dressed up and showing everyone her costume, what on earth is wrong with that? Seeing the joy on all of the kids faces is just lovely.

Ok, maybe I am lucky, we live in a very polite area, all of the kids only knock at decorated houses and we've yet to have any nasty teenagers with eggs come knocking. They wouldn't dare, the residents association are like a pack of wolves and would eat them for breakfast