Why won't trick or treaters come to my door?

[BathildaBagshot]

This is the first house DP and I have lived in (previously flats) and we are SO prepared for trick or treaters. I can hear them outside but nobody has knocked! Why??? I have so many sweets and I'll just end up eating them.

[SpottyTeacakes]

Have you put a pumpkin out?

[Sirzy]

Do you have a pumpkin or anything?

[AcrossthePond55]

Is your porch light on? Where I am it's the universal sign for yes or no to T-or-T'ers. Light on = yes. Light off = no.

[mausmaus]

they are only just starting here.

yes ti lights on and pumpkin/decorations up

[Pugsake]

I only let DD go to neighbours we know. Might be the case if you've just moved in. I'm envious iv started giving the Xmas chocolates out now.

[Pipbin]

No one came to mine for a while last year and I was disappointed.
Put a candle in the porch and then there were hundreds.

[fairgame]

We only go to houses with some sort of halloween decoration, usually a pumpkin. There are a lot of old people round here that have their lights on anyway so i just send DS to the decorated houses so we don't disturb the elderly.

[Hullabalooey]

Around our way, the sign that you are a Halloween-friendly house is having the porch light on and a clearly displayed pumpkin or other Halloweeny decoration.

[ThreeQuartersEmpty]

Yes you need some sort of "invitation". Kids round here are not allowed to call at houses with lights off, or no pumpkin at the door, or other decorations.

[BathildaBagshot]

Update: we had one lot, on their own with no adults. Eldest was about 11, two others about 7 and one about 3/4. Gave them a handful each and biggest one put his hand in the (massive) bag of chocolate bars and took the lot!

New question: aibu to want to chase the little sod down the road and take them back??

[BathildaBagshot]

Also - who knew there was so much Halloween etiquette?? We don't have DCs (yet) so this is all a big learning curve for us. Tried to buy pumpkins earlier but couldn't find any