Trick or Treaters with no costume?

[Kat77]

It's always an older kids. Usually it's a boy. It's like his friends came to his house and he decided to go out with them at the last minute. They are almost never in costume and seem shy. They tend to hang toward the back of the group. I always ask if they want candy. When I see they don't have a bag, I get one for them. It makes me feel good to help out.

It's the same boy... Every year he makes a bet with friends he can get you to give him a sack. He is using you for your sacks!

 

[heatherwillmom]

I took my DD "trick or treating" when she was 3 weeks old. I found a Halloween onsie. I thought it was a good way to show her off to some of our neighbors. I didn't take any candy for her. I just wanted to take her. We do have some teenagers each year without a costume, but most of them are polite. If I had some using profanity, there would be a problem.

 

[hereyago]

It's the same boy... Every year he makes a bet with friends he can get you to give him a sack. He is using you for your sacks!

Does he not have a pillowcase? Kids today lack imagination. And people on this thread saying poor kids don't have costumes, their parents may not have the funds to buy one, but they could use things they all ready have. Kids back in the day who didn't have online and stores like we have now, may have not had money, but they did have imagination.

 

[aprilgail2]

wow seriously---people get bent over kids not having costumes??? I don't care if they show up naked- knock on my door and I will give you candy!! What if the family is very poor and can't afford a costume, I am not going to punish a kid because they don't have a costume on!
I just donated 4 of my daughters old costumes to a womens shelter so those children could have a costume to trick or treat in--but what about the others who don't get one???

 

[Magic Mom]

How do you handle the kids the trick or treaters without a costume. I think that difference between trick or treating and begging is a costume. In past years I just said no costume no candy. Last year I gave them raisins. How do you all handle it?

Lisa

I don't have the heart to turn away a child just because their parents won't (or can't) provide them a costume. It seems cruel to me.

 

[tlbwriter]

wow seriously---people get bent over kids not having costumes??? I don't care if they show up naked- knock on my door and I will give you candy!!

Actually, that's where I draw the line - if you show up at my door naked, you will NOT get candy.

 

[luvsJack]

Does he not have a pillowcase? Kids today lack imagination. And people on this thread saying poor kids don't have costumes, their parents may not have the funds to buy one, but they could use things they all ready have. Kids back in the day who didn't have online and stores like we have now, may have not had money, but they did have imagination.

"back in the day" most kids dressed in homemade costumes. One year, my mom got a neighbor to make me a "blue fairy" costume, it was great for halloween carnivals and stuff but when it came to tot, I painted my face and tore up some clothes to be a zombie or some such. I went from "bought" (so to speak--it was a very nice, very well made costume) to "homemade" to be like everyone else.

Now MOST kids wear store bought costumes or expensive made costumes. And just like I did back then, everyone wants to be like everyone else. Its not about not having imagination, its wanting to fit in. So, some of them would just rather not wear a costume than to wear something that wasn't purchased.

There is no reason they cannot still have fun and get candy for heaven's sakes.

 

[Fruto76]

Does he not have a pillowcase? Kids today lack imagination. And people on this thread saying poor kids don't have costumes, their parents may not have the funds to buy one, but they could use things they all ready have. Kids back in the day who didn't have online and stores like we have now, may have not had money, but they did have imagination.

This is exactly how I feel. Although I don't turn kids away...unless they come cursing at the doorstep,(YES it happens!) I do get peeved when teeneagers come in no costume using their bookbag (still filled with books, mind you) asking for candy. I have teenagers and my rule is "if you want to go TOTing, you have to wear a costume". PERIOD. That's what the tradition of trick or treating is based on. You dress up and visit neighbors and are given a treat in return. Poor is no excuse. Imagination is FREE!
Also to comment on the infants. I have always taken my kids TOTing no matter what their age. We have 4 kids. We never make it around the entire neighborhood but you can imagine the candy accumulated is a TON! Every year since 2002 we let the kids keep the candy for 1 week. After that everything gets boxed and shipped to military members overseas. My hubby is AD and the service members LOVE getting candy! I wouldn't assume that parents of infants are TOTing and feeding their kids the candy or doing it just for themselves. I would guess they only want to enjoy the holiday as proud new parents.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

In many cities in VA, the age limit for TOT is 12. There is actually a fine for breaking the law! Not usually carried through.

We have seen kids walking around without costumes on, but they are usually older teenagers. My dd is 15 and hasn't gone she was 12. She doesn't care to go and really, it is for kids! I could see how some people would be scared of some 6 foot tall kid coming to their door at 7 at night. Especially elderly people.

I take dd7 out, DH and DD15 stay home giving out candy. If we collect, we give out. Seems only fair!

 

[Magpie]

I'm grateful for ANY child, teen or young adult who comes to my door trick-or-treating. My husband ALWAYS buys too much candy, we never get enough kids, and I'm stuck giving it out by the handful trying to get rid of it.

I don't even mind when the young people who work at the grocery store down the road come by after their shift. It's, "Here, please, TAKE this junk off my hands!"

I hate candy!

 

[hereyago]

In many cities in VA, the age limit for TOT is 12. There is actually a fine for breaking the law! Not usually carried through.

We have seen kids walking around without costumes on, but they are usually older teenagers. My dd is 15 and hasn't gone she was 12. She doesn't care to go and really, it is for kids! I could see how some people would be scared of some 6 foot tall kid coming to their door at 7 at night. Especially elderly people.

I take dd7 out, DH and DD15 stay home giving out candy. If we collect, we give out. Seems only fair!

Yes, here in my city of Newport News, it's a class 4 misdemeanor. I didn't even realize it until this year looking at the website. What is funny is in my housing development there are many cops and troopers who live here.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Yes, here in my city of Newport News, it's a class 4 misdemeanor. I didn't even realize it until this year looking at the website. What is funny is in my housing development there are many cops and troopers who live here.

It is funny you responded! My dh was born and raised in Newport News and he was the one to tell me about the law...which of course I had to look up! We are actually coming there Saturday to visit his family and I am taking dd7 trick or treating in my SIL's neighborhood!

 

[CPT Tripss]

In many cities in VA, the age limit for TOT is 12. There is actually a fine for breaking the law! Not usually carried through.

We have seen kids walking around without costumes on, but they are usually older teenagers. My dd is 15 and hasn't gone she was 12. She doesn't care to go and really, it is for kids! I could see how some people would be scared of some 6 foot tall kid coming to their door at 7 at night. Especially elderly people.

I take dd7 out, DH and DD15 stay home giving out candy. If we collect, we give out. Seems only fair!

Well, that just tears it. No candy for any kid that can't provide proof of age!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

What if the family is very poor and can't afford a costume, I am not going to punish a kid because they don't have a costume on!
I just donated 4 of my daughters old costumes to a womens shelter so those children could have a costume to trick or treat in--but what about the others who don't get one???

Good for you!!

Poor is no excuse. Imagination is FREE!

I find that very insensitive.