Trick or Treat?

[jackie j]

We get quite a few kids around here as we live very close to the town, most are polite and say thankyou, I have let my daughter go out dressed up since she was little, I always went with her, only knocked on doors of people we knew or those that had a lit pumpkin or something to let us know its ok to knock. Tonight she is going out with a group of friends, she knows the rules and I hope her friends will also know not to scare anyone or knock where they are not welcome. If you dont want your kids to go out the best thing I found to do was hold a party for a few freinds, play some games and send home with a bag of goodies. Parents happy, kids happy, you are in control. Large glass of something after works a treat.

[Jeanied]

Well it has all started, folks. Just had my first visit - this was from 3 diminutive lads who were dressed as far as I could tell as Munch's The Scream. After a bit of shock horror on the doorstep I gave them each a little bag of sweets, and said 'where are you from?' - (just checking to make sure they were my local kids, not interlopers) - they piped up 'Romania', 'Bangladesh' and 'West Drayton'. Don'tya just love them?

[Bren In Pots]

This is the first year we've not had kids calling early, I think they've finally realised they only get a treat on Halloween and not any time in the weeks before.

[WrexTheDragon]

What ever happened to "duck apple"? We also used to tie apples to string and hang them, you had to bite the apple without your hands.

My mum always baked an apple pie with a silver sixpence in it every year.

I miss the old days.............

[Brengirl]

The time is now 5.35pm. All quiet on the western front. You lot have me and him laff so much that we are ready for the invasion and could not possibly be cross with anything or anyone. Hehe. I have a water gun aimed from an upstairs window. Only kidding.

[Hilary B]

We don't have a problem Gemma is quite sufficient deterrent. I think the local ones are of the less desirable sort (although not too bad) but they all know about our dogs, and most of them are scared of Gemma (daft really, because if either of them was to do something unfriendly it would be the other one, she's no Lady, in spite of her name). In any case we go out, to the Hawk Conservancy "Owls By Torchlight", the staff all dress up for Halloween....

[Bren In Pots]

I remember "duck apple" we called it 'bobbing for apples' the bigger kids used to duck our heads for a laugh so I soon stopped playing that game.

[Hilary B]

Those of you saying that it was 'okay' to do Penny for the Guy, because you spent ages making it, but the money went in your pocket?! Sorry, but, how is that any 'better' than Trick or Treat? Rose tinted spectacles being applied to the past there, methinks...

My kids get dressed up and go round the local streets, me following with the dog, although #1 son didn't bother last year and stayed home to give out the treats. I don't let them knock anywhere that has no pumpkin or decorations, but these are getting fewer every year. Soon it will fizzle out for the kids and all people will get is the annoying teenagers then. Shame.

My Mum considered 'penny for the Guy' to be begging. I had never heard of "Trick or treat" until I was adult, and I still don't like it, not least because it so often DOES get taken over by teenage Mafiosi.

[Jeanied]

Well I have just had a group of 5 wee lads - all local - they were happy to lift up their masks so I could verify they were - dressed as a mixture of werewolves, skeletons and one rather scary guy in a curly red wig. The best one had a torch to shine up under his chin. We had a brief discussion as to who would get what - I only had a few things left - and I was able to compliment them on their costumes - they all giggled sweetly and went on their way.

[janeyo]

The kids are dressed up, the house is dressed up, pumpkin is lit, I am dressed up, OH is jason from that orror film complete with (plastic) chainsaw lol. They ahve gone trick or treating with a 2 year old vampire in the buggy lol.
Had a few so far they look surprised when I answer the door dressed up. Maybe I look like a man in drag? lol
Pic later

[Brengirl]

My grand'daughter has just rung to ask if she can bring her two boys round for trick and treat. Last time Harley came round he was dressed as batman. He hurled himself through the living room heading straight for the patio doors towards the garden. Poor little lad, had it not been for strengthened glass he may probably not been here for Halloween. I have glued great big red 'splatts' on the glass as a deterrent. I wonder if he now looks before he leaps.

[RedThorn]

As with Kirsty B, unwritten rule of if there is decorations, it's safe to knock. Money is definately NOT given and no DD does not go trick or treating.

[bubblewrap]

One year(when I opened the door) in answer to "the question" I said treat & took a sweet out of the child's goodie bag, look of horror(smile by mother)
Yes the child got her treat.

[SarzWix]

Round here, it's Mischief Night (4th November) that they put restrictions on eggs & flour etc. in the shops. Although it's starting to die out a bit, that's the traditional night for 'pranks', rather than Hallowe'en.
Mischief night - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Seahorse]

I don't approve (for all the reasons listed above) and I don't let my kids do it. I've not had any Trick or Treaters at this house but we did get the 'teenage yob' version at my last place. I mostly just didn't answer the door but one year I got fed up with it all and answered every knock... with a hideous scream of 'terror' and a slamming and bolting of the door