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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Not answering door on Halloween due to teens begging for money

34 replies

Fomm · 28/10/2025 16:24

Besides I live in a first floor maisonette where the front door is on the ground

In some years I have been at work or out for non Halloween stuff. On the few occasions I have been at home on Halloween itself I switch off my doorbell- it has its own switch on the circuit board.

From posts on the various Spotted FB groups in previous years, teens go in groups of 4-6. Don’t dress up, ignore the unwritten rule of only go to properties that have a pumpkin/decorated. Then demand money.

Some even chuck eggs and flour at certain homes. Had this done at my previous home and it wasn’t nice removing dried egg from window glass.

OP posts:

Original poster

Fomm · 29/10/2025 11:23

Crazycatladywithnocats · 28/10/2025 19:47

Why automatically hand out sweets? There is a “trick” option. However I heard that this causes confusion and the callers don’t know what to do!

A friend said trick to two girls about 6/7 and they said “what’s a trick?”

OP posts:

Arlanymor · 28/10/2025 21:57

Garamousalata · 28/10/2025 21:04

I’m recently widowed, so I’m on my own. I don’t answer the door ever in the evening. I’m dreading Halloween, I’m scared already.

So sorry to hear this - do you have any friends that you could spend some time with that evening, for a meal or even for a cup of tea somewhere?

Tryingatleast · 28/10/2025 21:49

That’s terrible! We lived in a really (think try not to leave the house after dark rough!) rough estate once and were a bit nervous about Halloween then just had teens in masks come and then say thank you when they got sweets! Restored my faith in humanity!!!

TomatoSandwiches · 28/10/2025 21:31

Garamousalata · 28/10/2025 21:04

I’m recently widowed, so I’m on my own. I don’t answer the door ever in the evening. I’m dreading Halloween, I’m scared already.

That's so sad, I'm sorry.
Do you have anyone, friends or family you can spend the evening with or invite over? I'm sure they would understand how you are feeling ans would help if possible.

bumblebee1000 · 28/10/2025 21:12

We dont bother anymore...had the teens asking for cash, all lights off and dont open the door.

TheatricalLife · 28/10/2025 21:09

Garamousalata · 28/10/2025 21:04

I’m recently widowed, so I’m on my own. I don’t answer the door ever in the evening. I’m dreading Halloween, I’m scared already.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Could you go out for the evening? Cinema or to a friends?

Claymoreiron · 28/10/2025 21:07

Lots of families here so Halloween is big. My kids aren’t interested in trick or treat now so I’ll be keeping lights off. Knocking at the door would drive our dog mad.

Garamousalata · 28/10/2025 21:04

I’m recently widowed, so I’m on my own. I don’t answer the door ever in the evening. I’m dreading Halloween, I’m scared already.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 28/10/2025 21:02

I only ever had teens round once - two hulking great boys, and it wasn’t even Halloween! I told them to come back on the day, and I’d give them something (it would have been sweets, not money)

They said, ‘But we’re going to a party on the 31st.’
‘Tough!’

CharlotteFlax · 28/10/2025 20:17

I think what you've seen on facey isn't representative of how most areas do Halloween.

The unwritten rule is no decorations, no knocking and besides that it's always fine to not answer your door for any reason anyway.

toomuchfaff · 28/10/2025 20:13

BackToLurk · 28/10/2025 19:37

Our area has a strict "no pumpkin outside, no knocking" rule. We have no pumpkin

Yeah I think ours is the same, no decorations or lights no knock

ThirdStorm · 28/10/2025 19:50

I don’t enjoy Halloween so like others, my lights are off, doorbell off, letterbox taped shut on inside and ignore everything.

Crazycatladywithnocats · 28/10/2025 19:47

Why automatically hand out sweets? There is a “trick” option. However I heard that this causes confusion and the callers don’t know what to do!

SprayWhiteDung · 28/10/2025 19:42

The problem with saying "Just don't answer your door" is that, sometimes, it can be like a protection racket.

The fact that teenagers are already going door to door to people they don't know, wanting money on a night when the people who have indicated that they are participating (let alone the ones who aren't) are expecting little children to be asking nicely for a few sweets, means that they obviously already feel entitled.

Hopefully, if there's no answer, they will accept it and move along; but they may well feel that you are depriving them of expected 'earnings' and do damage or other antisocial behaviour to make their displeasure well known to you.

BackToLurk · 28/10/2025 19:37

Our area has a strict "no pumpkin outside, no knocking" rule. We have no pumpkin

TomatoSandwiches · 28/10/2025 19:35

We have so many people come of all ages that me and DD set up a decorated table with tubs of sweets, chocolate, haribo and lollies, we both dress up and have a hot chocolate, everyone behaves sorry you have some trouble makers around.

ConverseAddict · 28/10/2025 19:30

We aren’t a popular street, too many older people. I’ve never answered the door in over 20 years. DH did one year and it was all teenagers looking for a quid.
about 5 years ago we had one year we had loads of kids knocking (but we had no sweets) and then since then nothing - people are more likely to take children to events now I think rather than trudging the streets for nothing, unless you have an area that does it.

SouthLondonMum22 · 28/10/2025 19:21

I don't care how old someone is if they knock on the door on Halloween or even if they are dressed up but they would be getting a door in their face if they demanded money. Sweets only.

youalright · 28/10/2025 19:18

toomuchfaff · 28/10/2025 18:35

Exactly.

My area is stark contrast, we have hundreds of people come (exaggerating a little but i think i have 40 odd ring doorbell notificationsfrom last year), but they are all dressed up, big groups of various ages, all accompanied by chaperone. Its an amazing time and I love it.

Show quote history

Exactly the same where I live. Get babies in prams to teenagers. They all get offered a bag of haribo no matter what age they are and have always been polite and I live in a shitty area. I love halloween but it would soon be stopped if people where throwing eggs

Arlanymor · 28/10/2025 19:01

Ddakji · 28/10/2025 18:37

What’s your question? Surely no one thinks you should open your door?

Apparently someone voted YABU, so at least one person does!

TheatricalLife · 28/10/2025 18:43

Lights off, don't answer.
Luckily we haven't had any rude teens round here, but we did have a few groups who were really far too old to be out knocking on doors for sweets. It felt ridiculous handing out little bags of Haribo to a gang of lads towering over me. I'm still doing it this year, so will see what happens.

Ddakji · 28/10/2025 18:37

What’s your question? Surely no one thinks you should open your door?

toomuchfaff · 28/10/2025 18:35

amicisimma · 28/10/2025 16:31

It's up to you whether or not you answer your door on any occasion, for any reason.

Exactly.

NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 28/10/2025 17:03

Not a thing where I live but it's up to you whether you answer your door. Has someone suggested that you have to, I'm surprised it's a question, it's quite normal not to answer ime.

I can't remember where they come from but when my children were young enough to go round the houses there were posters you could print off to let people know you wouldn't be answering the door

MyLimeGuide · 28/10/2025 16:40

Get a load of eggs to egg them back (make sure they are off)

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