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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Anyone else not putting up Halloween decorations this year or participating in trick or treating?

132 replies

thegrinxh · 20/08/2026 11:17

I was talking to a neighbour down the road and he seemed surprised when I mentioned that I won't be decorating the front of my house for Halloween this year/ participating in trick or treating.

None of the other neighbours on the estate say hello or are friendly and I have had issues with kids throwing footballs at my car and fence etc.

I don't really want to be spending money for other peoples kids on sweets and decorations.

My own kids are way too young to participate anyway.

My neighbour said "Oh well I think your house will be the only one not celebrating and people may get even more funny with you".

AIBU to lot went to participate or is this the norm if you have kids/ live in area with a lot of kids?

I live in the UK.aibu

OP posts:

RampantIvy · 22/08/2026 18:08

We live in a cul de sac off a cul de sac with no street lighting and never get any trick or treaters round. DD is a student and does Halloween in her university city.

IMO Halloween is for children.

ToadRage · 22/08/2026 18:18

I was never allowed to trick or treat as a child and we never decorated. We haven't had any trick or treaters for years but parents have told me they only approach house with pumpkins. I only once remember carving a pumpkin lantern and that was my visiting aunt thought it would be fun. My Mum was against anything Halloween, I only recall going to one Halloween party at a 5 years old. I like to dress up so will find some kind of costume to wear even if we are not going anywhere. Last year we went to the cinema and I wore a medieval style dress and a crown as an evil queen. I wore the same dress and homemade a French hood then used face paint to create a deathly pallor and draw a red line across my neck and went to work as Anne Boleyn.

bocketyaulbag · 22/08/2026 19:17

Monty36 · 22/08/2026 14:53

Trying to explain it is draining that much is true.

Show quote history

So I did Halloween in Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s as a child. As did many Scottish people. But you keep insisting it's an import from the US in the 1980s. Yes, it really is draining to talk to someone who only hears what they want to hear.

phoenixrosehere · 22/08/2026 19:23

bocketyaulbag · 22/08/2026 19:17

Show quote history

Plus, where do they think the Americans got it from int the first place? It didn’t come from the Native Americans.

Not sure why it’s hard for some to understand that several “American” holidays come from groups who emigrated from the UK and Europe.

Original poster

thegrinxh · 22/08/2026 20:12

@ToffeePennie Oh wow!
You sound really fun and just like the kind of neighbour I would want to live next door too haha.

I have always enjoyed Halloween since I was a kid (was never allowed to trick or treat though) and I went all out last year.

After beginning to pack I found some decorations from last year and have decided just to decorate the back garden but not the front of the house as I don't want trick or treaters!

OP posts:

Peonies12 · 22/08/2026 20:15

It’s august. Who thinks that far ahead.

ToffeePennie · 22/08/2026 20:45