Halloween: Taking a year off?

[chobie]

The thread reminds me of a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode where Larry David refused to give candy to a snotty teenage girl not wearing a costume and the war he got into with the girl's father about it.

I can honestly say we've never encountered any ungrateful teenagers and I'm sure most of them made some attempt to dress up. We give out the fun sized candy bars and no one seems to complain.

I'm more bothered by the parents that go trick or treating with an infant (and no older children). It's like, " really????? You can't wait a couple years"??? But I give them candy anyway,

One time, when my kids were young, we went to this house where they refused to give this tweenage boy candy because he was taller than the height mark they put on their door. So, I put on my son's Barney mask and went and got candy from that house for the poor kid (I'm short).

 

[Fire14]

I remember multiple years where I got plenty of candy just being the TOT's escort. I know I dressed up a couple of times because I like doing that. WE lived off road so very few kids came up our driveway and those that did were usually neighbors. Even now I don't recall any treaters in the 11 years I've lived here and DH says they rarely got any before I moved down here. Even neighbors in general area say they get very few, the joys of living in rural area. NOW my BFF lives in City and gets swamped to point of she has raided her msshp candy bag to cover.

 

[Disney Springs]

I make goodie bags for the little kids and give out full size bars for the older kids.........no costume, you still get a full size bar! We don't judge

I made goodie bags one Halloween, years ago! I happened across some really cute Halloween themed Charlie Brown gift bags, and that's how I came up with the idea. So fun to make!

This year I think I'll do goodie bags again. We recently moved to a neighborhood where only 2 houses pass out candy....us, and one house across the way. Everyone else leaves their lights off. Not sure how DH and I always move to the Grinch streets! lol (Even last Christmas, only 2 of us had Christmas lights on our houses.....my street embarrasses me!)

Love the holiday season! In fact, today I'm getting out all our Halloween decor, and decorating inside the house. I'll wait until middle of Oct. to decorate outside.

DS

 

[pixiewings71]

We get so few trick-or-treaters around here we don't bother. If we don't have other plans, we just go to a "trunk or treat" at a church parking lot where people hand out candy from the back of their cars. The kids love it because they get lots of candy walking from car to car instead of house to house. It helps that our fall evening temps are mild.

As for the teenagers, I like the idea of the woman who saved candy canes from Christmas and handed them to the teens the next Halloween. When the kids looked disgruntled, she said, "Is the candy too old for Halloween? So are you."

excuse me? Who is she to say who is too old for Halloween, this is so rude! If I heard about this from my kids (who are 13 and 17) I would go have a word with that woman. How rude! I'm 42 and Halloween is my favorite holiday, naturally it is my kids favorite too.

If you want a year off, take it! Participation is voluntary


I will have tons of candy ready, and my four kids 15, 13, 5 and 3 will be dressing up and hitting the neighborhood! Teens going door to door are teens that aren't drinking, causing mischief, or destruction. I don't care if you are wearing a costume or not when you come to my door, you will get a greeting and some candy. I have handed out candy to adults who have said yum when they see the options! Maybe thats why my house gets decent Halloween action....or its just my neighborhood? Some houses go together and have a food and drink spread along with adults sitting in the driveway with a fire pit. Our police drives around and hands out candy or glow products. Halloween is fun!

Halloween is fun, we decorate inside and out, we throw a party, I have 2 costumes planned and plenty more "in reserve" just in case I need more, I've been planning this Halloween since November 1st 2012 and I'm already planning my costumes for next year. lol Halloween is for anyone who wishes to participate and so we give out candy to those to who come to our door. I don't let anyone take from the bowl, I pass out the candy, there isn't any trading, there isn't any "I don't like that kind can I get another?" happening here, I just grab some candy and drop it in the bag. I do have a bowl that has a hand that pops out but people expect that now so I rarely use it, plus I don't enjoy scaring the little kids. lol My kids go ToT'ing with their friends or they stay home and pass out candy here, I work in a bar so I'll probably be working Halloween night but someone will be here to pass out candy, and if no one is here then I'll put out a bowl with a note that says to take a few pieces, the times we've done that we've come home to find the bowl half full.

 

[tigercat]

My youngest is now 33. I have been giving out candy since I got married 39 yrs ago. Last year I had surgery on my knee and also ended up with 2nd and 3rd degree burn on the same leg. I was still trying to recover and it was hard for me to get up and down. This year I am still unable to get up and down very easy. Last year my dh said that he was going to give out the candy but ended up doing it for only part of the time. This year I don't think we will be giving out any as it will end up again me doing it and I just can't.
tigercat

 

[mhsjax]

excuse me? Who is she to say who is too old for Halloween, this is so rude! If I heard about this from my kids (who are 13 and 17) I would go have a word with that woman. How rude! I'm 42 and Halloween is my favorite holiday, naturally it is my kids favorite too.




Halloween is fun, we decorate inside and out, we throw a party, I have 2 costumes planned and plenty more "in reserve" just in case I need more, I've been planning this Halloween since November 1st 2012 and I'm already planning my costumes for next year. lol Halloween is for anyone who wishes to participate and so we give out candy to those to who come to our door. I don't let anyone take from the bowl, I pass out the candy, there isn't any trading, there isn't any "I don't like that kind can I get another?" happening here, I just grab some candy and drop it in the bag. I do have a bowl that has a hand that pops out but people expect that now so I rarely use it, plus I don't enjoy scaring the little kids. lol My kids go ToT'ing with their friends or they stay home and pass out candy here, I work in a bar so I'll probably be working Halloween night but someone will be here to pass out candy, and if no one is here then I'll put out a bowl with a note that says to take a few pieces, the times we've done that we've come home to find the bowl half full.

I am of the opinion that after about 15 or 16, you are too old for trick or treating, go buy your own candy.

 

[mom2rtk]

I am of the opinion that after about 15 or 16, you are too old for trick or treating, go buy your own candy.

That's a shame. My opinion is that if the kid is respectful and polite, I'd love to see them embrace their inner child and go trick or treating. Heck around here a lot of the teenage trick or treaters are out taking their younger siblings around. Do you expect them to just stand back and watch the little kids get candy while they get nothing? Heck, I'd offer them some even if they didn't have a costume. It's just a great time to be a kid, whether you are 5 or 50.

I just don't see why it's that big a deal. And this from someone who spends a small fortune on candy for hundreds of trick or treaters every year.

 

[Granny square]

We only have a dozen or so trick or treaters, and I'm usually helping at a facility where I volunteer so we leave a stack of candy bars in a bowl on the porch.

As for too old, I enjoy teens and they are more than welcome to a treat at our place.

 

[superme80]

We never do Halloween. Our church is having a harvest party, so my boys will go to that. I am not sure if I will be up for the party, but I am not handing out candy if I am home. OP I would take a year off. Rude kids can be such a killjoy to a fun holiday.

 

[aprilgail2]

That's a shame. My opinion is that if the kid is respectful and polite, I'd love to see them embrace their inner child and go trick or treating. Heck around here a lot of the teenage trick or treaters are out taking their younger siblings around. Do you expect them to just stand back and watch the little kids get candy while they get nothing? Heck, I'd offer them some even if they didn't have a costume. It's just a great time to be a kid, whether you are 5 or 50.

I just don't see why it's that big a deal. And this from someone who spends a small fortune on candy for hundreds of trick or treaters every year.

I agree- I don't care how old they are, if they knock they get candy--in costume or not. I don't mind the teens at all, they are usually more polite than the younger ones!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Love Halloween, of course! Surprised so many Disney fans are unhappy about aging out of Trick or treating! I give our candy to everyone! What's wrong with teenagers participating? Better than many other evening activity. I would never judge anyone's costume either. I went trick or treating a few years without a costume because my family couldn't afford one. My mom just told me to keep my coat on! Too many kids today with sensitivity issues as well. Costumes are uncomfortable for them.

I love Halloween and Disney because I can be a kid again!

 

[pixiewings71]

I am of the opinion that after about 15 or 16, you are too old for trick or treating, go buy your own candy.

Well I don't ToT but I sure won't tell my kids they can't nor will I turn away a teen who comes to my door.

We never do Halloween. Our church is having a harvest party, so my boys will go to that. I am not sure if I will be up for the party, but I am not handing out candy if I am home. OP I would take a year off. Rude kids can be such a killjoy to a fun holiday.

As can rude adults.....lol Not saying you're being rude, just making a point.

Love Halloween, of course! Surprised so many Disney fans are unhappy about aging out of Trick or treating! I give our candy to everyone! What's wrong with teenagers participating? Better than many other evening activity. I would never judge anyone's costume either. I went trick or treating a few years without a costume because my family couldn't afford one. My mom just told me to keep my coat on! Too many kids today with sensitivity issues as well. Costumes are uncomfortable for them.

I love Halloween and Disney because I can be a kid again!

When I was a kid my favorite costume was being a ghost, just like Charlie Brown but only 2 eyes. lol White sheet, eyes cut into it, easy to put over a coat.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm of the mind that those who hand out candy should have fun too and if it's no longer fun for whatever reason than it might be wise to no longer take part. I mentioned that we only hand out very early because it's so exciting for the little kids but we stop at an early hour. We prefer to go out and take part in some fun too and maybe that would work for some here. Or maybe watch something spooky or read a spooky book if you like that sort of thing.

Around here, little kids start showing up around 6 and this part goes on until 8 or so. They overlap with older kids and then most of the teens usually go around later on. We're generally gone by then so I can't comment on their behavior or costumes.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I'm of the mind that those who hand out candy should have fun too and if it's no longer fun for whatever reason than it might be wise to no longer take part. I mentioned that we only hand out very early because it's so exciting for the little kids but we stop at an early hour. We prefer to go out and take part in some fun too and maybe that would work for some here. Or maybe watch something spooky or read a spooky book if you like that sort of thing.

Around here, little kids start showing up around 6 and this part goes on until 8 or so. They overlap with older kids and then most of the teens usually go around later on. We're generally gone by then so I can't comment on their behavior or costumes.

I agree. I live in Colorado and its generally very chilly and in fact we have more white Halloweens than White Christamas'! So the trick or treating starts early usually by 5:30 for the littlest ones. At 8:00 I dump whatever is left in my bowl to whoever rings my bell and then I turn off the lights, blow out the pumpkin and I am done!

I took a year off from Halloween in 2008. That was the year my mom had died and she always came over (she lived in a retirement community so no tot's there) to enjoy seeing my kids in costume and helping me hand out candy. I just couldn't get into it that year. So I left my lights on, put a bowl of candy on the porch and figured if some kid took it all, well I tried so whatever. And at 8:00 when I went out there to retrieve it (I disabled the doorbell so nobody could ring it and drive me nuts all night) there was still some candy left which was a nice surprise.

Some holidays mean more or less than others to each person. If you aren't feeling it, no worries just skip it this year.

 

[mhsjax]

That's a shame. My opinion is that if the kid is respectful and polite, I'd love to see them embrace their inner child and go trick or treating. Heck around here a lot of the teenage trick or treaters are out taking their younger siblings around. Do you expect them to just stand back and watch the little kids get candy while they get nothing? Heck, I'd offer them some even if they didn't have a costume. It's just a great time to be a kid, whether you are 5 or 50.

I just don't see why it's that big a deal. And this from someone who spends a small fortune on candy for hundreds of trick or treaters every year.

Well let me be a little more specific. In my area we have TONS of little kids. I want to make sure that all the little ones are taken care of before the big teens ( think 15 or 16 or older)get candy. Although I would never and have never said anything to a teen, I think it is extremely rude for teens to go out and get candy. I think this time needs to be reserved for little ones first. I am not a candy store for teens, then again, I don't like Halloween, that is why I am officially done with it. My kids are older and they realize it is for little ones and have no desire to go out and get candy.

Oh and teens taking little ones around are a completely different story, but large groups of teens showing up asking for candy? I think it is in poor taste.

 

[LisaInNc]

I don't really get upset about teenagers or even adults if they are in costume. Halloween and Trick or Treating is about getting dressed up. Put in a little effort.

I did, I decorated my house and spent several hundred dollars on candy.

Lisa

 

[mhsjax]

I don't really get upset about teenagers or even adults if they are in costume. Halloween and Trick or Treating is about getting dressed up. Put in a little effort.

I did, I decorated my house and spent several hundred dollars on candy.

Lisa

OMG, Several HUNDRED on candy?

 

[aprilchem]

I don't mind it, but I live in a very strict neighborhood - ToT doesn't start until 6 pm, and every light in the neighborhood goes off at 8. If somebody comes knocking I just don't answer, and neither do my neighbors.

Kids don't trick- or-treat after age 12 here. Occasionally I'll get an older kid, but it's only 1 or 2 out of the 150 or so who come to my house.

 

[mom2rtk]

Well let me be a little more specific. In my area we have TONS of little kids. I want to make sure that all the little ones are taken care of before the big teens ( think 15 or 16 or older)get candy. Although I would never and have never said anything to a teen, I think it is extremely rude for teens to go out and get candy. I think this time needs to be reserved for little ones first. I am not a candy store for teens, then again, I don't like Halloween, that is why I am officially done with it. My kids are older and they realize it is for little ones and have no desire to go out and get candy.

Oh and teens taking little ones around are a completely different story, but large groups of teens showing up asking for candy? I think it is in poor taste.

I didn't realize there was a limit on how many people can have fun on Halloween, so that it needed to be "reserved" for the little ones.

Just how DO you go about making sure the little ones are taken care of first? Do you tell the teens to come back later to see if there's any candy left?

In our neighborhood you can't even tell which teen is with which little kids. No way to tell who is escorting a little kid and who is just out with a few friends trick or treating on their own. We typically just have a constant stream of kids.

Everyone here gets into the act. The people across the street don't even have kids but the man puts out dry ice, puts on a microphone and shouts scary things at kids. He "chases" them down the street sometimes, and it's all just great fun. The other neighbors dress up as a statue and stand really still until someone comes out and they jump out at them.

Around here, Halloween is probably more anticipated than Christmas. It's just a great time for all of us to embrace our inner kid. Even the teenagers.

Besides, wouldn't you rather have them out asking for treats than coming up with "tricks" to play?

 

[Tiramisu]

I went out trick-or-treating (in costume) with my friends every year until I went to college. I never encountered anyone who thought we were "rude" or "stealing candy from little kids." Most people enjoyed seeing our costumes because we worked hard on them for months.

There was one older guy who was especially excited to see us every year... because our arrival, to him, meant that he could turn his light off and go to bed. He would give us every single piece of candy he had left and say, "I don't feel bad giving this to you kids since you're old enough to know not to eat it all at once. Happy Halloween, and GOOD NIGHT!" That guy was good for half a pillowcase on his own.

While we were planning our costumes, there were plenty of kids planning how to steal their parents' booze for their Halloween parties. Is that really preferable to handing a teenage kid a piece of candy? I didn't know Halloween was "for little kids." Someone should send that memo to all those megastores selling adult Halloween costumes!