halloween

[zimzam]

I apologise if I am posting in the wrong topic but there is no miscellaneous for me to post a question that I can't think will fit anywhere else......

Halloween! I live in an area where there are at least 9 young lads and a few are already wearing masks and I am mindful of the 'trick or treat' ploy. I don't have kids of my own so what should I do right now? Have some cash available simply to pay them off? Accept either a trick or treat or simply have cash ready to give them to stop either offer?

How should an adult treat neighbourhood kids at halloween as I will be expecting something (and a boot up the jacksie won't be the answer)

[B00]

Keep your curtains closed and ignore the doorbell- pretend you're out!

I'd play along if it was small children dressed up cutely along with their parents doing it American styly, but I hate the little oiks who just don a plastic mask and think that entitles 'em to money. (lets face it, they aint doing it for the sweets!)

[Metz]

I never give money,i always buy a pack of mini mars,milky way etc and give them one each (regardless of age) ,never accept a trick either lol!!

[warpig1]

I offer them fruit, they generally spread the word among their friends and guess what, they don't come back!!!

[jake-the-peg]

Have you thought about just putting a sign on your door saying "No trick or treating please?"

[Rev Sermon]

My all-time favourite solution to T or T'ers was from Terry Wogan. A bowl of toffee onions by the front door. Just imagine the look on their little faces as they took a big bite on their way home.

[zimzam]

I love all those replies! I'll go get some ammunition tomorrow.

[chitchat]

I just tell them that they are too early and its not Halloween until 31st! Meany!

[Andyvon]

I just don't like the whole thing I'm afraid. It's not as if this is a traditional thing that has always happened in this country - it's another tacky import from the US. The kids have seen it on TV and the shops have jumped on another chance to commercialise part of the year.

It wouldn't be quite so bad if the kids only came round on Hallowe'en but those round here start knocking about a week beforehand. Worst of all are the parents you see standing nearby watching their kids pester you!

As someone else says, it's quite obvious many of the older kids tell their mates which addresses are fair game. Then they all take turns knocking. We just keep our door closed and pretend we are out too. Just ignore it all.

Baah - Humbug!

[seekeerz]

wish the Americans would keep all their pesky ideas to themselves - particularly when it's older kids. Now we just leave the lights off and let the dogs go crackers and that sees them on their way !!!

[unruliejulie]

I love Halloween. for one, its my birthday (no comments please) and secondly, i love to see the kids dressed up and having fun!
I never have trouble from any kids in my neighbourhood, so as long as they make a bit of an effort, i don't mind. I always buy in bags of sweets because i think money is a no no. I've also never had any yet that don't say thank you.
If you don't like it, just ignore the door. Simple!

[dot.hawkes]

Hi Julie, I love Halloween for the same reason as u lol

My grandson and his Dad have established a tradition that started when Brandon was 3 and now my Grandson looks forward to the costume thing and being out with his Dad in costume and my neighbours all expect him, it isn't how it used to be and the American service bases have alot to answer for as they introduced the idea to the UK, I don't like giving money out as I know certain idiots would use it to buy cider and cigs and worse, and so i give out toffees too.

[dogfish]

Halloween is not an American invention, it was not introduced by service bases. It has long since been a Scottish tradition which would have been exported to the States. The "trick or treat" part is the only US addition. Scots children would tradionally dress as up and go around their neighbours "guising". They were rewarded with fruit, sweeties or a penny in exchange for doing a wee turn, telling a joke, singing a song etc. "All Hallow's Eve" is supposedly the most magical night of the year, the dressing up, as far as I remember, was in order to scare of the witches and evil spirits which came out on that night...As a child growing up in Scotland in the sixties, this was one of the highlights of the year, on a par with birthdays and Christmas.

[chazza]

My parents once gave the kids Monkey nuts - that was the last lot we ever had round the doors!

[bookermel]

I'm with dogfish here, coming from Eire we also went out at halloween and always did a song or recitation. We lived in a rural community and would wander for up to 5 mile radius in our bands spooking each other. The older members of the community loved to see us and would have fruit and nuts where we were it was only one lady who was canadian who gave out sweets. I remember there was one family who always insisted we came in for tea and barm brack. (fruit cake with a ring, if you got the ring you would be first of the company to marry) The traditional food was colcannon and smoked bacon. We all bobbed for apples and pennies and also tried to bite into apples hanging by string in the doorframe or in the trees. Now my house is a bit of a magnet for the kids around. My kids and their friends usually get to play all the traditional celtic games! and I always have some spooky touchy boxes for visiting kids, who are then allowed to choose some sweets or fruit. ( It use to be nuts but not now due to the increase in nut allergies) Small kids get a great thrill in having touched the "dragon's guts" or "ghoul's eyeballs" or "goblin's ears" and although the teenagers probably think I'm mad seem to knock a lot of fun out of the challange (usually much more woosy then the little ones!!) We usually have a few adults over as well who join in the fun!! Of course if I wanted a peaceful night I would just put the sign in the door. Most kids a quite happy to follow the rules. I also must say that I have never or know of no-one who has been egged or floured although I'm sure it might happen!
Have fun!!!!!