To go trick or treating to strangers' houses?

(not in UK - but trick or treating has really taken off here)
i decorate my front door a few days before Halloween so anyone can see we're doing something. I do my pumpkins one today one (or more if i have time) tomorrow, again so people can see that we're doing it.

Then anyone who knocks gets given sweets - age irrelevant. If they are not dressed up they get one... I don't know most of them because we have a whole new estate in our village with lots of children. It's fun. I don't know why you'd decorate for halloween then say "nope, don't know you" and shut the door on them

We go with dc, and stand outside each house as they knock on the door.
We go to dressed up houses only.

People drive to come onto our estate. It's annoying. Don't by mind the kids but they turn up in big groups.

We go to decorated houses, everyone round here does the same.

I don't live in a posh area and it's rare that there are gangs of teens causing a nuisance on Halloween. A couple of years ago I think there was one year where some did act like arses but it hasn't happened since (we have a VERY active local FB page so everything is posted so we'd know).

For most it's just a bit of fun. Loads of houses around us go all out and do it for the kids. Seems like a lot of people who don't have children or have grown up children really love doing it.

I don't see the harm in people who enjoy decorating their houses doing it for those who wish to trick or treat.

Of course, the parents of the dickhead teens should have them on a tighter leash if they're terrorising people but those idiots shouldn't ruin it for those who want to have fun.

Because it's trick or treating.

Eh?

In every single event there are (and always will be) people that behave like dicks and ruin it for others.

Should we just cancel everything then?

Sorry that someone knocked on your door uninvited or you were egged by teens, or you went once and your kid has forever more been knocking on strangers doors 🙄

But this wasn't me or my kids, so...?

Of course you can go to strangers' houses. Where do people get these stupid ideas??

But decorated houses only is always a good rule.

I live in a rough part n of bolton ,I rarely see gangs of teens roaming my estate on Halloween, the kids that do call have always Been pleasant enough
You can,t assume we all live in nice middle class areas .

Why isn't trick or treating begging?

I’m Irish and know extremely well exactly what Oíche Shamhna is. That’s why I don’t like it, nor celebrate it.

That doesn’t make me paranoid, or neurotic or superior. It’s just my personal, informed choice not to participate.

I have a pumpkin and a few decorations so I really hope people feel comfortable knocking on my door because I have soooooo much chocolate! I live in a small road but don’t know everyone but hopefully will have a few visitors.

Yep. That's what happens in the real life that seems alien to the mumsnetters that live in St Mary Mead

Aye, all the posts about "begging" or (incorrectly) criticising Halloween as tacky or an American import aren't superior at all.

Yanbu. If it's decorated it's fine.
I don't know any local little kids these days, more than happy to have anybody turning up.

I think you’re unlucky. Ive lived in several different places in the UK and Ireland in areas where there’s a trick or treat culture, and have never had anyone knock after the sweets were gone, or after we took in our pumpkin.

Yeah we have no decorations, and still get them, my neighbor's house got egged last year because she ignored them. I don't usually mind and get some sweets in but with a little one this year it's a bit of a nightmare.. I don't want him to be constantly woken.

You're assuming that I bought into the Santa 'experience' as necessary, normal or okay.

And from where does she get the notion that non-participants think they’re “superior”?

I just don’t want anything to do with it 🤷🏼‍♀️

Agree

Plus the "rule" to only go to houses that are decorated seems to be a Mumsnet phenomenon

We don't decorate and regular get guisers.

I grew up in the Midlands where Halloween was always a bit of a thing even though no trick or treating. Guy Fawkes was more important and I'm old enough to remember that never a year went by without some child/children being blinded by a firework, injured by a bonfire or worse.

Loads of dressed up, supervised kids seems infinitely safer to me and from what I gather the "no decs no call" rule seems to be very much adhered to, round here at least.

Teaching children about context is important. Your children presumably don’t think it’s appropriate to walk up to old men in the garden centre January-November, sit on their knee, tell them their name and how old they are, and ask them for presents, because they’re aware that Father Christmas occurs within an exceptional and particular context. Teach your children the same thing about Halloween and they’ll be fine.

In our street we have an agreement- if your house is decorated (or you have a pumpkin out) you're open to Trick or Treaters. If not, you're not.
Nothing to do with being unsafe etc (and how sad your friends have thought of that). It's just being considerate.
Now that my kids are in their 20s I don't particularly like having to get up and go to the door 20 times on Halloween so no pumpkin for me!

For some reason MN always brings out name calling too. 🫣