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Original poster

Trick or treat etiquette

40 replies

FXBHorizon · 22/10/2024 12:19

What are the rules around Halloween? I have an almost three year old. Do we go trick or treating?

If so, we live in area with mainly flats but also some houses. The acquaintances we have most we don’t know where they live. On what doors do we knock?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 22/10/2024 12:44

I don’t like Halloween and DS hates it. We don’t decorate the house and ignore anyone who does knock.

Others love it and have their houses decorated making it clear they are happy to take part. So people can go to them and they can enjoy it together.

as long as everyone is respectful there is no reason those who like it can’t enjoy it without disturbing those who choose not to.

Itsmahoneybaloney · 22/10/2024 12:44

At 3 I'd stay home and teach them the other side of trick or treating where they enjoy giving out the sweets. I did trick or treating with mine from 5 onwards once they started school, just felt the right time.

Dee00 · 22/10/2024 12:43

When we were kids we knocked on every door in our street, but I agree times have changed and we only get them if I decorate the door and put pumpkins out.
The last 3 or 4 years we have had a Halloween party for my DS and his friends so I decorate the garden and house entrance and we get lots of trick or treaters during the evening.

Laserwho · 22/10/2024 12:41

Only go to decorated houses or a pumpkin showing. I used to take mine and and hand sweets out. Now my kids are teens we don't participate anymore as we have other things on at Halloween.

SouthLondonMum22 · 22/10/2024 12:38

Dotjones · 22/10/2024 12:35

It's a terrible thing to teach a child that it's ok to demand sweets from strangers and threaten them if they don't comply. If you're ok with that then only do it at houses that have loads of decorations up so are likely to be actively participating.

It’s hardly ‘demanding’ when you go to houses which are decorated and are actually waiting to give children sweets.

SuzieBishop · 22/10/2024 12:37

Och shoosh - 3 is fine to go trick or treating!! But yes only to houses that are decorated and are all lit up, curtains open etc!

Icanttakethisanymore · 22/10/2024 12:36

Could you arrange to go and visit the homes of a few people you know who are up for getting in the spirit?

Dotjones · 22/10/2024 12:35

It's a terrible thing to teach a child that it's ok to demand sweets from strangers and threaten them if they don't comply. If you're ok with that then only do it at houses that have loads of decorations up so are likely to be actively participating.

NoKnit · 22/10/2024 12:34

Good God at not even 3 years old I wouldn't bother. You'll have masses of hassle and nagging about sodding Halloween when they are older. Buy some sweets and put a pumpkin out if you want to trick or treat. Otherwise stay home and enjoy peace and quiet

AgileGreenSeal · 22/10/2024 12:32

Hreenpro · 22/10/2024 12:21

Yes I’m sure your 3 year old will love it. Only go to the houses that are obviously participating - around here that means pumpkin lit as minimum, or decorated houses with lights on!

Edited

Most of the participating houses around here are “decorated” with very gruesome ‘bodies’ / mummies/ skeletons attached to the walls, or hanging from trees etc in the gardens, ‘crime scene’ tape around the doors and hideous scary looking monster / witchy faces peering out of windows etc.

I wouldn’t take a three year old anywhere near them.

Full disclosure- I don’t like Halloween.

IsThisNameTaken · 22/10/2024 12:22

Only knock on doors with a lit pumpkin.
Only take one sweet.
Say thank you!

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 22/10/2024 12:21

Our rule that they're only allowed to knock if there's a lot pumpkin outside the house.

Hreenpro · 22/10/2024 12:21

Yes I’m sure your 3 year old will love it. Only go to the houses that are obviously participating - around here that means pumpkin lit as minimum, or decorated houses with lights on!

FourEyesGood · 22/10/2024 12:21

Only knock on doors with decorated houses / a pumpkin.

Celticliving · 22/10/2024 12:21

I HATE trick or treat.

We spend all our time saying "don't accept sweets from strangers"....