Trick or treat scrooges

[snowywhite89]

We never get rude older kids. We were kind to them when they were younger and as they got older they still got the same as the younger ones. They complement us on our decorations and thank us for the candy.

Rude goes both ways.

 

[okeydokey]

We give to whoever shows up.

I also have a crazy barky dog. We put her in her kennel in the house and then sit outside to pass out candy.

 

[Michelle and crew]

We give to whoever sows up.

I also have a crazy barky dog. We put her in her kennel in the house and then sit outside to pass out candy.

This is what we do.

Actually I love the older kids. It is good to keep them connected to the neighbors and neighborhood.

 

[npmommie]

I saw a trick or treat scrooge last night.

down the street from us.....one of the kids reached into the bowl, and he had a flippin fit, snapped at her.
"don't take candy from my bowl, put that back!"

we were stunned.
I almost said something, but decided not to since there were a bunch of kids around, didn't want to cause a scene, but I really wanted to tell him to chill out its just a piece of candy and its halloween.

 

[ThePetLady7]

Until this year we lived in one of those neighborhoods that people drove to for ToT. We handed out tons of candy, but enjoyed seeing all the kids dressed up. My only rule was that if an older kid wanted candy, they better say "trick or treat."

We now live in a neighborhood where the homes are space much farther apart. We had no more than 20 trick or treaters all night...and no teens at all. Most of the houses were dark. I missed the activity, and seeing all the different costumes.

 

[Nomi]

I seem to have worded my post badly, and caused some fuss, I'm sorry! I do not mean to be an internet troublemaker!

Like I said in a later post, it doesn't depend on having a great costume, or even having one at all if you say trick or treat, or on age except for the really older kids (15+) who are ALSO rude AND don't say trick or treat AND don't have a costume AND aren't escorting younger children. Then they get a 'normal' amount of candy. NOT nothing.

But it's sort of just the way things are out here. I was only ever allowed (by my parents) to trick or treat past the age of twelve when I was escorting my little sister trick or treating. I made sure to say trick or treat, please, and thank you. And then I fully expected to have to say a rhyme/sing a song to get some candy. Some didn't do that, and just didn't give me candy at all. Which was fine! Around here trick or treating in neighbourhoods is something for kids. Maybe it's just a cultural difference, since halloween isn't so 'Big' out here. Most people only carve a pumpkin or two. We are a rarity that we do more.

Again, I'm sorry if I offended anyone. I really did not mean to!

 

[southernbohemian]

We are a family who drives to another neighborhood for trick or treating, so I'd like to speak up. It's not out of greed. We live in the country (horses next door). There are no sidewalks and the houses are spaced about an acre apart. It would be ridiculous to try and trick or treat in our "neighborhood." It would involve getting my son in his car seat, driving to the next house, out of the car seat, "trick or treat", back in the car seat, etc. Not only a total waste of time, but energy, gas, etc. My parents did this type of trick-or-treating when we were small because they also live in the country. But we would basically go from one family member's house to another's - spending at least 15 minutes at each one socializing. But we don't have family here, so that's not an option.

Instead we choose to drive to a nice, suburban neighborhood where we can park the car and walk around for an hour from house to house. Halloween is the most neighborly holiday there is - I love seeing everyone out and about - meeting people on the sidewalks, commenting on their houses, decorations, and costumes. We always have a lovely time.

We haven't had trick or treaters since our last house - and I have to admit that I was very off-put by teenagers without costumes expecting candy. The first year I was startled and just gave them stuff, the second time I didn't. I explained that if they wanted to participate, they should have worn a costume. I did it politely and luckily didn't get my house egged. I don't care if you're 35 years old, if you're in a costume, you'll get candy.

 

[mhsjax]

Candy is cheap, I just don't see all the concern over this. Get repeat visitors, whatever, 1 piece of candy each, no big deal. Yeah, some people are lame, but then there are tons of cute nice kids and that is worth a few teenagers without costumes.

The good stuff isn't cheap. Around here you can spend a small fortune to give candy to all the kids, and I am talking 1 or 2 small pieces each. I give equal amounts to everyone, unless it is towards the end of the evening and the big kids come around, then they get more because I don't want it around.

My kids are 13, 11, and 9. Thank goodness they said they have had enough of this, they want to go out to dinner next year and then come bak after Tot is over with.

 

[Michelle and crew]

southernb, lol, so you can go gather candy in other neighborhoods, but you wouldn't give a teen a piece of candy without a costume. It amazes me what people think is good and bad. You are willing to take candy, but not willing to give it.

 

[southernbohemian]

southernb, lol, so you can go gather candy in other neighborhoods, but you wouldn't give a teen a piece of candy without a costume. It amazes me what people think is good and bad. You are willing to take candy, but not willing to give it.

I guess we're just not going to understand each other then. I don't go to other "neighborhoods" - we go to one. I think we did maybe 3 streets last night As I stated, it's not about "getting all the candy we can" it's about my son having a good time.

I think it is incredibly rude of a teenager to think they can just ring doorbells and get candy. If they weren't in costume, but walking around a younger sibling, than that is different. But in my old neighborhood there were always the 16 year old who rang doorbells even if the lights were not on and acted as if candy was owed to them because they bothered to show up. It's bad manners and I'm not going to reward it. It wasn't like I was holding a costume contest - they could have a badly drawn moustache and that's it - candy. The holiday isn't about getting free candy - it's about the fun of getting dressed up. A teenager that just wants candy can go to the store and buy some. Call me a scrooge if you'd like.

 

[okeydokey]

We are a family who drives to another neighborhood for trick or treating, so I'd like to speak up. It's not out of greed. We live in the country (horses next door). There are no sidewalks and the houses are spaced about an acre apart. It would be ridiculous to try and trick or treat in our "neighborhood." It would involve getting my son in his car seat, driving to the next house, out of the car seat, "trick or treat", back in the car seat, etc. Not only a total waste of time, but energy, gas, etc. My parents did this type of trick-or-treating when we were small because they also live in the country. But we would basically go from one family member's house to another's - spending at least 15 minutes at each one socializing. But we don't have family here, so that's not an option.

Instead we choose to drive to a nice, suburban neighborhood where we can park the car and walk around for an hour from house to house. Halloween is the most neighborly holiday there is - I love seeing everyone out and about - meeting people on the sidewalks, commenting on their houses, decorations, and costumes. We always have a lovely time.

We haven't had trick or treaters since our last house - and I have to admit that I was very off-put by teenagers without costumes expecting candy. The first year I was startled and just gave them stuff, the second time I didn't. I explained that if they wanted to participate, they should have worn a costume. I did it politely and luckily didn't get my house egged. I don't care if you're 35 years old, if you're in a costume, you'll get candy.

I see nothing wrong with this at all. We live in a pretty rural county. Those in paved subdivisions like ours get lots of trick or treaters, which is how I like it. I don't mind buying candy for 300. It's fun to see the costumes and interact with the children. I also give for teenagers and grown ups. Candy for everyone.

 

[Duchie]

This year we had so much darn candy that I didn't care who showed up at my door, they were getting a handful! I had bought some to hand out, but then people brought some with them to the Halloween party and we ended up with so much left over. Halloween is just about moving the candy around - I give your kids a handful, you give mine a handful. It's all the same candy, just moved to a different house. But I have to agree that I prefer it when tweens/teens at least make an effort to dress up. Last night we had these 2 tween girls who wore their pajamas and slippers. OK, that might have been lame .... BUT they used really cute purses as their Halloween bags. They got kudos from me for that.

 

[m&m's mom]

I seem to have worded my post badly, and caused some fuss, I'm sorry! I do not mean to be an internet troublemaker!

Like I said in a later post, it doesn't depend on having a great costume, or even having one at all if you say trick or treat, or on age except for the really older kids (15+) who are ALSO rude AND don't say trick or treat AND don't have a costume AND aren't escorting younger children. Then they get a 'normal' amount of candy. NOT nothing.

But it's sort of just the way things are out here. I was only ever allowed (by my parents) to trick or treat past the age of twelve when I was escorting my little sister trick or treating. I made sure to say trick or treat, please, and thank you. And then I fully expected to have to say a rhyme/sing a song to get some candy. Some didn't do that, and just didn't give me candy at all. Which was fine! Around here trick or treating in neighbourhoods is something for kids. Maybe it's just a cultural difference, since halloween isn't so 'Big' out here. Most people only carve a pumpkin or two. We are a rarity that we do more.

Again, I'm sorry if I offended anyone. I really did not mean to!

I knew what you meant and I completely agree!
I am ALL for having the experience for all kids regardless of their economic situation but group of teenagers, not dressed up, shoving their pillowcases in my face was REALLY annoying!
Since it was so nice outside last night I say in my driveway and gave out the candy. I had a group of 3 big teenagers surround me and say "We only get one piece? We want more". One went on telling me he had a tapeworm so he needed more, one said he was collecting for single moms. I said "Tough, move on".
I have a very elaborate yard and have several cars a day drive by and take pictures on the day leading up to Halloween. Last night there were people trapsing all over my yard knocking stuff over. Really got irritating.

southernb, lol, so you can go gather candy in other neighborhoods, but you wouldn't give a teen a piece of candy without a costume. It amazes me what people think is good and bad. You are willing to take candy, but not willing to give it.

I think this was rude and poorly worded but why in the heck should I give a big teenager (several were over 6 foot), not in costume, candy just becasue it's Halloween?
If you were a teenager, polite, in costume - I gladly gave to.

 

[pixiewings71]

no kidding. Mom can't afford a fancy costume? No candy for you.

there's no need for a fancy costume but it is nice to see some effort go into a costume.

I saw a trick or treat scrooge last night.

down the street from us.....one of the kids reached into the bowl, and he had a flippin fit, snapped at her.
"don't take candy from my bowl, put that back!"

we were stunned.
I almost said something, but decided not to since there were a bunch of kids around, didn't want to cause a scene, but I really wanted to tell him to chill out its just a piece of candy and its halloween.

OMG that's crazy!!!! I kept telling kids to help themselves. LOL They looked surprised but happily dug in.

This year we had so much darn candy that I didn't care who showed up at my door, they were getting a handful! I had bought some to hand out, but then people brought some with them to the Halloween party and we ended up with so much left over. Halloween is just about moving the candy around - I give your kids a handful, you give mine a handful. It's all the same candy, just moved to a different house. But I have to agree that I prefer it when tweens/teens at least make an effort to dress up. Last night we had these 2 tween girls who wore their pajamas and slippers. OK, that might have been lame .... BUT they used really cute purses as their Halloween bags. They got kudos from me for that.

Being in PJ's is a costume IMO, I'd have been happy with that. My kids love Halloween, DD14 was the Cheshire Cat, DD10 was a ladybug. My sister worked at the Halloween store this year so she got everyone great costumes, if that wasn't the case we would have used something we used last year or we would have had homemade costumes, but they would have been dressed up.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Candy is cheap, I just don't see all the concern over this. Get repeat visitors, whatever, 1 piece of candy each, no big deal. Yeah, some people are lame, but then there are tons of cute nice kids and that is worth a few teenagers without costumes.

Really?

The good stuff isn't cheap. Around here you can spend a small fortune to give candy to all the kids, and I am talking 1 or 2 small pieces each. I give equal amounts to everyone, unless it is towards the end of the evening and the big kids come around, then they get more because I don't want it around.

My kids are 13, 11, and 9. Thank goodness they said they have had enough of this, they want to go out to dinner next year and then come bak after Tot is over with.

By "good stuff" I just mean small fun size bars of chocolate. They're actually pretty expensive! A minimum of $3 a bag, at least, going on up and if you have to buy 15 - 20 bags that isn't cheap at all. And I do think we need to buy that many bags as each bag only has what, 20 pieces in it?

 

[shortbun]

I'm with the drag group. I'm happy to hand out candy to neighborhood kids, but I think people going all over large areas to collect as much candy as possible is greedy. And, yes (I know this is an unpopular opinion with some on the Dis), I don't think teenagers should be trick or treating. This is a child's activity. JMHO .........

QUOTE]

1. some people live in areas where people don't give candy or don't have the money to give candy. Should those children not be allowed to go elsewhere to trick or treat?

2. I worked with teenagers for years. They are 'children.' They are still children in so many ways. They don't want you to know that but we as adults must be smart enough to allow them to have their childhoods. It's over way soon enough.

3. Imho, the greed comes from the other direction. People are so greedy, they are unwilling to allow children to celebrate a simple and harmless holiday.
it's people who feel that they 'have theirs' so no one else is worth their consideration.

 

[shortbun]

Really?



By "good stuff" I just mean small fun size bars of chocolate. They're actually pretty expensive! A minimum of $3 a bag, at least, going on up and if you have to buy 15 - 20 bags that isn't cheap at all. And I do think we need to buy that many bags as each bag only has what, 20 pieces in it?

I found 'the good stuff' for $1.50 a bag this year. Every year I start watching for great prices in September. If you watch, you will find it. You can be generous but not have to break the bank doing it. I use my spare change money for things like Halloween candy, it doesn't hurt a bit.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I think this was rude and poorly worded but why in the heck should I give a big teenager (several were over 6 foot), not in costume, candy just becasue it's Halloween?
If you were a teenager, polite, in costume - I gladly gave to.

This is more polite and better worded?My point was the poster that I quoted had two sets of rules that amazingly enough benefitted her.That is as tacky as can be.

 

[mhsjax]

I found 'the good stuff' for $1.50 a bag this year. Every year I start watching for great prices in September. If you watch, you will find it. You can be generous but not have to break the bank doing it. I use my spare change money for things like Halloween candy, it doesn't hurt a bit.

Wow, you didn't get "the good stuff" around here for that price. For that you got hard candy and stuff no one cared about. Most people around here end up spending 40-50 dollars for candy. then those stupid costumes. I told mie to find something they could make, DD and 4 friends went as KISS. They wore black and the makeup was only $12.00. DS put on his old football jersey and shorts, that was it.

Like I said, I am a Halloween grinch. I will smile and sweet talk the little kids and have fun with the older kids. It isn't the kids that bother me, it is the waste of money for 2 hours worth of getting candy. Man I HATE halloween. Always have, Always will. I won't be home next year, but I will probably leave a bucket of candy out.

PS, You do realize that if I purchased any candy on Sept or the beginning of Oct, the only person eating it would be me. I am like an alcoholic with booze, one I see choc, forget it.

 

[Hal Gurtner]

I can't imagine giving different candy to different kids! Gee, you aren't cute enough...have a rock. I find that as rude as the behaviors the kids are being accused of. I've never heard of a child asking to have their photo taken at a home or with a home owner, either.

Speaking of rude...