Trick or treating?

[Dorothy rouse]

I also grew up in Scotland, until age of 12, and we used to dress up, and round the neighbours, but in return for, a 'treat' , sweeties, nuts, tangerine or similar, we had to ' sing, dance recite a poem, not quite like today.

We usually have a few very local littlies, call round and I have a bowl of sweeties/ chocolate bars ready, bit soft me!

My grandson I know us dressing up and calling at immediate neighbours, taken by his dad.

What I don't like is when older children, who you have never seen before turn up on your doorstep, and expect money!

[Mikey]

Personally I wouldn't ever give money, its not in the spirit of the occasion for me.

[Sheneval]

How will you get to know them that way...

Mikey - Spot on - when I came home some years back and the local kids, (now fathers with kids of their own), were having a kick about in the street I always used to ask for a kick of their ball and join in for a few minutes - result is I never had any problems with vandalism or any other such nonsense - for a year or two we had neighbours who were from India and the younger boy aged about 8 used to come to my door and say Mrs Shen is Shen coming out to play - it just takes 5 mins of your time occasionally - I am a great believer in what goes round comes round and as you sow so shall you reap

[Bill HH]

Well at least you can see it.

You've got to remember its not about you its about the kids and if they have fun then where's the harm in it. In real terms what does it cost you, I remember one year putting fruit in with the sweets and the children knocking all went for the tangerines.

You can very cheaply kit your child out without having to go and buy stuff from the supermarket, I even grow my own pumpkins now especially for carving.

I am all for kids having fun, I am actualy the biggest kid of the lot, but its the knocking peoples doors and demanding stuff under threat of reprisals. No wonder mugging is on the increase. Its not our tradition its been thrust on us by those who want to sell sweets masks outfits etc. Whats wrong with "a penny for the guy" and good old carol singing? at least with carol singing you get a song out of them.
Americans dont have bonfire night so maybe its their alternative, we seem to be stuck with both now. Before you know it we will be celebrating independance day.

[bearded bloke]

I have a nice long uphill drive & some nice steep uphill steps plus there is a switch on the PIR lighting & door bell transformer


If you gonna "do" Bah Humbug,do it big style

[Mikey]

seems a bit extreme to keep visitors at bay BB.

Could you not have just dug a big ditch in the drive and manned it with some victor veterans.

[bearded bloke]

When I was a lad growing up in a small village,every year there would be a group of kids pushing a pram with a guy in it down the middle of the road (with a couple of parents carrying buckets),calling "penny for the guy",anyone wishing to contribute came out to the garden gate & donated whatever it was they could afford (all monies collected went towards the fireworks for the display on the village green),similarly these days the Rotarians have a motorised sledge that drives slowly playing carols,funds gathered go to giving a nice meal to the "old folks",both worthy causes in their own right & neither imported from overseas.
Random unknown people knocking at the door are just a physical version of telephone "cold callers"

[Mikey]

Random unknown people knocking at the door are just a physical version of telephone "cold callers"

See normally I would totally agree with this comment, I would never normally let my daughter go knocking on a house if I didn't know the owner and advance warn them of her imminent arrival.

However last year we were behind on time and planning and as such the turnout was so poor that we visited a couple of other streets and some houses with owners as yet I hadn't met. Some of those who answered have since become very good friends, to which I would say you never know who you'll meet when you answer your door or what benefits it may bring.

[veggiechicken]

Mikey, talk me through what your daughter does when she knocks the door 'cos I assume you stay in the background as a minder.

[Dorothy rouse]

Just to add, we used swede as well, took forever to hollow it out, and the smell lasted for days!

[Dorothy rouse]

I've got my outfit ready for Thursday, I'll go with grandson, hope to get lots of sweeties and chocs, if I sing also, they're bound to pay me to go away!

Good plan!

[Mikey]

Well last year she dressed me up as well, as uncle fester.

It could have been why not many people answered, seeing a weird looking dude stood at their door through the window is enough to put anyone off.....

This year she would like me to go as jack skullington, I might save that for later in the evening...

Generally, she will go and knock gently on the door with her home carved mini pumpkin bucket lined with white fairy lights. If she doesn't get an answer she knocks again just to check they are not in, not just deaf. If someone answers she and her two friends say trick or treat in unison, most look at them sweetly and offer them to take some sweets from a bucket. She's been told in advance not to take anything which isn't wrapped you never know who's grubby hands have been on them!!!
They then say thank you very much and goodnight, while I have a little chat with the house owner.

She's been thinking about what to do for a trick this year, and has a pack of cards just in case its needed.!!

Its all very sweet to watch TBH.

[veggiechicken]

What happens if they're not offered sweets? I need to know what happens next.........

[Sheneval]

What happens if they're not offered sweets? I need to know what happens next.........

Its no problem they just smile sweetly, say goodbye and then let off some fireworks and burn the house down

[Mikey]

Well that's when I pull out the axe and some theatrical music comes on in the background.....