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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:
Arlanymor · 28/10/2025 16:39

And this is why I go to the pub on Halloween...

SparklyGlitterballs · 28/10/2025 16:38

I used to participate but the greedy older kids put me off. One year I hadn't answered the door quick enough and found one of our pumpkins, which my kids had spent ages carving, upended and broken on the bonnet of my husband's van. Anyway, I have a little dog now, who goes a little crazy when the doorbell goes, so I keep everything dark on Halloween night now to keep him calm.

Topseyt123 · 28/10/2025 16:37

I haven't seen this happening recently round here. If you don't put a pumpkin out you aren't participating is the generally accepted etiquette.

I'm sure it does happen though, and some teens can be complete PITAs. It's intimidating, but all you can do is not answer the door at all.

I've always found Halloween itself a total PITA anyway and was mighty relieved when my children finally grew out of it.

Original poster
Fomm · 28/10/2025 16:37

AgentPidge · 28/10/2025 16:30

Yep. They made our lives a misery at our previous house. The local shop stopped selling eggs a couple of days before Halloween because they were putting them through people's doors. We were on a new estate and had several gangs of 15 yr olds knocking. In the end we started going away this half term.

The supermarkets here allow sales of eggs to over 18s

OP posts:
BedlingtonFloof · 28/10/2025 16:34

Not a thing here. We barely even get any kids coming for sweets these days. But anyway, of course you can answer your door or not as you see fit.

amicisimma · 28/10/2025 16:31

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

AgentPidge · 28/10/2025 16:30

Yep. They made our lives a misery at our previous house. The local shop stopped selling eggs a couple of days before Halloween because they were putting them through people's doors. We were on a new estate and had several gangs of 15 yr olds knocking. In the end we started going away this half term.

Favouritefruits · 28/10/2025 16:28

Well I have never seen that happen in my area (and it’s certainly not a well off area) but if that’s what you want to do, then do it. Nobody can force you to open the door!

I enjoy giving out little bags of sweets but if a teen demanded money I’d slam the door in their face, I honestly don’t think this happens lots in real life maybe an odd incident.

ObelixtheGaul · 28/10/2025 16:27

It's not nice, is it? I don't mind the little kids dressed up, but teens demanding money should be reported.