trick or treat....

[squirelpoo]

what do you do .........

[Buenchico]

I go to the pub to stay well out of the way of the little bu . . ., er sorry, ... darlings out on the streets ;-)

Chris

[andy-hughes]

Don't answer the door. I loathe this American cultural import. It's fine in the U.S., most places that do it have the weather, and everyone knows how it goes. Over here it turns into a few chavs demanding money with menaces. It's like American Football in Britain, and sad and pointless pale copy of the original.

[yassa]

Chuck a bucket of cold water over them and tell them to ^&^% %$$. Or go down the pub like him above said.

[miffy63]

Last year some kids knocked on my door and gave them each an apple, they looked thoroughly disgusted! I'm hoping they won't bother me this year.

[lankeela]

I don't know how this has escalated as much as it has. I can't believe parents allow (and even encourage) their kids to go knocking on strangers doors in this day and age. Who would be to blame if one got adbucted (or worse) - the parents would be baying for blood if something happened to one of their little darlings.

I just shout threats and abuse at them but the sound of my dogs barking is usually enough!

[sddsddean]

If you want to get your own back on them, give them one of your lovingly prepared home made chocolates as detailed below.

1 Melt some chocolate
2 Dip in and cover some brussel sprouts
3 Let chocolate harden
4 Serve as required

I'm sure it is a look of joy they have on their faces when they leave!

[shaneystar2]

What do I do ? Same as thesome of the others ..don't answer the door and let the dog do his worst by barking at them and hopefully scaring them off.
I agree with Lankeela ....what are parents thinking of letting young children knock on the doors of complete strangers.
They drove my elderly neighbour to distraction last year..poor old girl she is practically bedridden as it is without all that kerfuffle at her front door.
Alright some of them are supervised but nevertheless it's a disturbance to householders and if they want to celebrate Halloween let them do it in their own homes .
Last year the swines threw eggs and flour all over my sons car because I told them to sod off.

[RogK]

I'm delighted by the vitriol on this thread. The little boogers will get short shrift from me, too.

American nonsense.

[daisy48]

We all loath halloween in our house too. Young kids should'nt be allowed out trickin n treatin just as lankeela says. Oh Haloween just would'nt be the same without the cars and windows being egged and floured! When I was a kid we used bob for apples indoors with our friends and parents,had a great time too!

[jump79]

Too old to take part in this nonsense but its fun watching others take it seriously, dress up and look stupid for one whole day.

[Jules001]

absolutely hate it - I never allowed my children to do this - as Andy Hughes says it is an American import and it seems to be getting a bigger thing each year. Around here, we don't get bothered by them as those that do partake call at pre-arranged houses only. However I know of elderly people living on their own being frightened witless by teenagers in masks appearing at their doors and windows. My s-i-l however goes totally ott and decorates the house, the 2 kids go round trick or treating and they have an open house for everyone in the village to call in on the night for drinks and nibbles.

[Ed Strong]

Hate it. The kids get enough sweets and crisps under normal circumstances to rot their teeth and make them fat. My daughter went once years ago (early 1980s), but she was supervised by the person organising the children's party that followed. Nowadays, I just don't open the door - and as for firework night (weeks/weekends/months!!), just don't get me started.
Signed: Mrs Grumpy :-)

[saanen]

Good idea about the brussels sprouts - I just melt down some ex-lax, coat some marshmallows, and hand them out . . . . you don't see the little blighters again for days.

[Hellion]

I've always celebrated the Pagan Festival of Samhain in some way, largely becuse there's nothing much between now and mid winter. Since my son arrived it has evolved slightly to include 'Halloween' (which I don't really approve of).
Myself, my son and nephews (8,7 amd 10 respectively)meet at my sister in laws house we then walk 2 miles to my house , stopping on the way at both Grandparents and 2 friends where the kids are given some sweets. At my house I cook a seasonal feast which includes pumpkin and chicken curry, and what the kids gleefully call 'Bleeding Eyeballs' but is actually lychees and Raspberry Coulis. I set lighted candles in the garden to remember all my friends and family who have died and then we eat honey cakes and drink mulled cider/apple juice.
Then we all go inside and watch a good movie.
The kids love it because they love doing the long walk in the dark, there are lots of trees where we live so the wind blows them around and the kids think it's 'creepy' and I realised that most of the time they never go out when it's dark they always go by car.

[Senga 2]

This is NOT an American invention. in Scotland the kids don't trick or treat but they go out for halloween dressed up as goullies and ghosties and long legged beasties. Alright nowadys it's usually their favourite TV character in an outfit from Tesco. Parents usually take the kids to neighbours and friends where they get sweets, nuts and candy apples in exchange for a song or a joke. This has been a tradition in Scotland for a very long time and most people don't mind as long as it doesn't get riotous.

[BBWCHATT]

I live in the USA - when my son was small we just walked around our neighborhood and he "trick or treated" the houses that had the lights on and decorations up - well actually he was never allowed to play tricks on anyone - and then of course we had to drive around to all of the Grandparents and other relatives. In later years some parents decided to take cars full of kids and invade upscale neighborhoods and subdivisions. A few years later we started having the occasional report of someone finding razor blades or needles in apples or contaminated candies - the hospitals started x-raying the treats the kids received for free. Now, most of the shopping malls give treats so kids just go from store to store inside the malls - a lot of places give parties instead - and parents are more careful where they let them trick or treat.

[bumbletum]

I take my kids out at the same time........and keep them out for as long as possible
That way, when we get home, all the other kids have been and gone, and we have even more crap to shove down our necks!!!!!!

Lovely!!!!!!!

[1rovert]

I just say " Thank you! I'll have a treat. The silence that brings, gives me time to close the door.