Trick or Treat Question

[disney junky]

When we were kids, we went to the homes of people we knew, just around the neighborhood. They'd try to guess who we were. Now, total strangers drop their kids off in the neighborhood by the van full (I guess we seem safe), and the kids just go door to door for candy. No guessing, we don't know them anyway...not even, we live over there....nothing. Many appear a bit older than I consider appropriate...14-15, with bags out ready for candy.

It's getting to be where I feel like a free candy store, and little else. Am I a Halloween Scrooge?

What's the DIS opinion on trick or treat protocol?

 

[jennyh2829]

I agree. I live in a nice neighborhood and I think people think "OOOH, they have nice houses so they must have good candy lets go there" And I think when you enter jr high you're too old! If you want candy that bad go to the store!

 

[Beth76]

Halloween is about free candy. I certainly don't know every kid in my neighborhood so I wouldn't know if someone lives on the next street or the next county. And I don't care how old the kids are either. As long as they're in costume, they get candy from me.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We have lots of kids in our neighborhood and I know that a lot of people come to our neighborhood to ToT. A lot of little kids, but some older ones. I tend to give the little kids, especially the ones I know, more candy, but I don't mind seeing the older ones, too, as long as they are dressed up (and as long as they don't egg my house ). My older two kids didn't ToT once they were out of elem school, but my 8th grade son (he just turned 13yo) is going again this year. He is dressing up or I wouldn't let him go. I'm 45yo and I trick or treated well into junior high school and I grew up a fairly productive member of society, with no criminal record, so I will get my panties in a wad about something else.

 

[disney junky]

We have lots of kids in our neighborhood and I know that a lot of people come to our neighborhood to ToT. A lot of little kids, but some older ones. I tend to give the little kids, especially the ones I know, more candy, but I don't mind seeing the older ones, too, as long as they are dressed up (and as long as they don't egg my house ). My older two kids didn't ToT once they were out of elem school, but my 8th grade son (he just turned 13yo) is going again this year. He is dressing up or I wouldn't let him go. I'm 45yo and I trick or treated well into junior high school and I grew up a fairly productive member of society, with no criminal record, so I will get my panties in a wad about something else.

Boxers or briefs

 

[Hedy]

We have lots of kids in our neighborhood and I know that a lot of people come to our neighborhood to ToT. A lot of little kids, but some older ones. I tend to give the little kids, especially the ones I know, more candy, but I don't mind seeing the older ones, too, as long as they are dressed up (and as long as they don't egg my house ). My older two kids didn't ToT once they were out of elem school, but my 8th grade son (he just turned 13yo) is going again this year. He is dressing up or I wouldn't let him go. I'm 45yo and I trick or treated well into junior high school and I grew up a fairly productive member of society, with no criminal record, so I will get my panties in a wad about something else.

Seriously. If trick or treaters are that much of an issue for you, turn off your lights on halloween.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Boxers or briefs

hipsters--non-mom underwear! I'm not a thong girl--that is for sure. You could always go commando. I told that to my DH the other night, but then had to explain what it meant. Poor guy!

 

[disney junky]

Seriously. If trick or treaters are that much of an issue for you, turn off your lights on halloween.

Just asking for other's opinions...

 

[Hedy]

Just asking for other's opinions...

Well then, yes, I think you are a halloween Scrooge.

 

[disney junky]

I knew that already...just wondered if there were any others out there.

 

[dreamergirl78]

We have the opposite problem. When we were kids we uesed to go in our naighborhood and it seemed the almost everyone had the lights on, pumpkins lit and they were ready for trick or treating. Now it is really sad that we have to drive out of the neighborhood (and sometimes we have to go to several areas) because nobody hands out candy anymore! I miss the carefree spirit of Halloween. Trick or treating inthe mall just isn't the same no matter how you slice it.
As far as age... if they are in costume I don't mind. My deal is when an older kid comes up in a t-shirt and jeans and wants candy. Dude, get a costume and have some fun. I PROMISE it will not destroy your rep!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Well, I invited DD3's two best friends to come ToT in our neighborhood. Folks 'round here are Hallocrazed -- smoke machines, strobe lights, music and mega-candy. One of DD's friends lives in a neighborhood with 90% elderly residents ... and no ToTrs. The other one just had her tonsils out two days ago, so I think it might be good for her to come with us.

My parents made us quit when we turned 12. Don'r know why that was the magic number, but it was ...

 

[ntburns22]

It's all about the kids and that being said we load up in our mini van and drive into town. We live in a rural area so yes we are the people that crash someone's neighborhood. If we were to TOT at home the kids would get maybe 2 house after walking a half mile down the road. Just remember it is all about the kids.

 

[Serena]

They either have to have a costume on, make up some fantastic lie to explain why their clothing is in fact a costume, or do a song or dance. If I catch them blushing, I give them extra.

 

[dreamergirl78]

They either have to have a costume on, make up some fantastic lie to explain why their clothing is in fact a costume, or do a song or dance. If I catch them blushing, I give them extra.

Ohhh.. good idea!!! Can I borrow this?
I would LOVE to see some macho 15 year old do a song and dance for candy. Fantastic!

 

[scraptoons]

We are trick or treaters right now, so we're not at home to give out candy.

However, my parents live in "one of those neighborhoods" in which the van loads jump out.

Mother has the cheap stuff for the strangers. (hard candies, sweet tarts, etc).

And the good chocolate stuff goes to the kids she knows.

When I was growing up, we lived on a street that no one knew about. Every 5 years or so, one person we knew would come by for some candy.

So they are making up for lost time.

 

[rt2dz]

I grew up in "upscale" neighborhood. The houses were really far apart, so we went trick-or-treating in other neighborhoods where the houses were closer together. We were accompanied by an adult, but we certainly did not know every house we went to (many because we went to school with the kids in that neighborhood, but still).

In general, today is different. I don't know all the kids on my street, much less the neighborhood. Between the custody arrangements of the divorce, dual income families, the many activities of the kids, etc., etc. But hey, I'll give out candy to anyone on Halloween that says "Trick or Treat". I don't need to eat that candy!!

I don't care if they're 1, 5, 10 or 14! Most kids grow up so fast today, faster than they should, that I think it's great when a kid is actually trying/willing to stay a kid. An 11 year old (middle school here) doesn't need to act too much like an adult too soon. That is such a problem, kids trying to be older than they need to be. But that's neither here nor there.

 

[swea_pea1]

Well, the way I look at it, Halloween is for kids both young and old. I think my last T or T was at 13 or so and I was mortified that my friend made be dress up and dragged me out with her. At 13 I wanted to be so old and so mature. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have held on to childhood just a little bit longer (wouldn't we all?)

So, I will gladly give candy to any dressed child (or wanna-be child) that shows up at my door. I bought 30 big candy bars for the kids and 100 Tootsie Roll pops for if/when I run out so there's plenty for everybody. For $20, I think it's well worth it to see the little (and big) vampires, witches, and princesses.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

That's why we have "good" candy (ie candy bars)and "not so good" candy(left over parade candy).

 

[Serena]

Ohhh.. good idea!!! Can I borrow this?
I would LOVE to see some macho 15 year old do a song and dance for candy. Fantastic!

Sure thing It really is fun. The little ones get a kick out of it too. I give out good candy since I don't see too many trick or treaters at my house. I live on a busy street and there aren't a whole lot of kids nearby. So, I know what I don't give out, I'm eating. lol, more smarties and chocolate for me.