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Original poster

Trick or treating 'rules'

52 replies

Skyisbluetoday · 30/10/2021 17:55

Are there any to follow? I have never gone trick or treating before with my kids (3 and 6). We used to live in an area where this really wasn't a thing, but have now moved and it's possible. I don't know if there is an etiquette I need to know about? It will only be the two of then (and me). I assume it would be OK to knock on people's door if they have halloween decorations out, and avoid those that don't. Or do people not do a door to door halloween now? Is it just shops (don't want to do that)? What time would you go out with them given their ages? Thanks!

OP posts:
featheryfancy · 30/10/2021 19:33

In our village if the curtains are open/outside lights are on you're fine to knock so not strictly just those decorated.
For time, usually 6-8pm is typical but that's normally as a lot are only getting in from work starting then when it's a week night. With tomorrow being a Sunday I'm expecting trick or treaters, especially the littlest ones from as soon as it starts getting dark around 5ish.

Normandy144 · 30/10/2021 19:45

Rules of Halloween club are:
#1 only trick or treat on 31st October (not tonight as some people this year seem to think is acceptable). Halloween is not a moveable feast.
#2 only approach houses that are decorated. Only exception to this is if you have prearranged to drop by a house who have invited you to knock even though they don't decorate (we have some neighbours who do this as they love to see the children but don't want to decorate)
#3 kids must be in costume, say trick or treat and say thank you and not take a fist full of sweets unless encouraged to by the door opener.
#4 timing wise it is usually any time from 4/4.30pm (that's when I aim to be ready for). If it's a week night it can be 5.30. Usually turn the lights out around 8.30pm latest.

Have fun - it's not grabby or begging! Those who participate want to give kids sweets and see them having fun.

immersivereader · 30/10/2021 19:46

Please tell them to smile. I hate grumpy treaters

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DallasDerby · 30/10/2021 19:56

Not a recent import - we love it in our town. I encouraged my kids to say Happy Halloween and Thank you - we only knocked on lit up, Halloween houses - I love Halloween, love to see the kids - great for building community spirit.

ParkheadParadise · 30/10/2021 19:58

@immersivereader

Please tell them to smile. I hate grumpy treaters
😂😂😂
DroopyClematis · 30/10/2021 20:08

Please avoid properties where it's obvious that an elderly person lives.
Eg a bungalow with swagged net curtains or hasn't been maintained.
Two elderly ladies who used to live opposite me used to be terrified that they'd have eggs or silly string over their front lawns. And yes, they did, as they refused to answer the door. So sad.

ParkheadParadise · 30/10/2021 20:33

When I was young we went all over our estate to houses we didn't know without an adult went inside to sing, dance, tell a joke (imagine doing that now) all for an apple, tangerine, and some nuts if you were really lucky you got a toffee apple.
My 3 sisters and I were witches(black bin bags) every year and my brothers were ghosts(white sheets)

AosSi · 30/10/2021 20:36

It's as everyone else is saying. Go to houses that have a pumpkin out, avoid those that don't.

If you see a house with a big crowd of kids at it, skip it for now and come back later. Don't come up in the middle of a bunch of trick or treaters at a door.

Get your child to say Trick Or Treat and smile (but don't necessarily expect that from trick or treaters at your own door, they may not be able to).

Teach your child to take one sweet, unless the house owner says otherwise.

TurnUpTurnip · 30/10/2021 20:40

Kids round here were saying happy Halloween instead of trick or treat when they knocked didn’t know there was rules to go after 6 we usually go around 5

AosSi · 30/10/2021 20:44

Happy Halloween is fine too, I think! Just as long as they know to say something . And with some kids, if you don't give them the script who knows what they'll say.

Wafflepup · 30/10/2021 20:49

Is it not normal to say a wee joke or sing a song as well? Really don't like the kids who appear and just stick out their buckets for sweets without a word.

Mind you... I should be glad they don't demand money! Thats shocking!!!

coodawoodashooda · 30/10/2021 20:49

@Skyisbluetoday

Thank you all! I feel strangely nervous about it, but they really want to go (I blame 'Angelina's Halloween...). Yes I was surprised about going trick or treating in shops too.
Me too. I absolutely hate it.
SixQuidGames · 30/10/2021 20:51

I thought it was only decorated houses but we’ve had people knock the last couple of years when we don’t have decorations which annoys me a bit. We just don’t answer the door but kids trying to peer through the letterbox or in the windows is not on.

AosSi · 30/10/2021 21:05

Jokes/ songs not normal in my part of Dublin, anyway.

Starcaller · 30/10/2021 21:11

In Scotland (at least where I'm from and where I live now, which are opposite ends of the country!) kids are usually expected to have a 'party piece': a joke, song, dance, factoid, etc. Everyone we open the door to has one, even the tiny kids (although they sometimes need some prompting Grin)

ParkheadParadise · 30/10/2021 21:18

@Starcaller

In Scotland (at least where I'm from and where I live now, which are opposite ends of the country!) kids are usually expected to have a 'party piece': a joke, song, dance, factoid, etc. Everyone we open the door to has one, even the tiny kids (although they sometimes need some prompting Grin)
Same here *@Starcaller*
ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 30/10/2021 21:23

round here most people will respect that if there are no pumpkins by the door, no decorations in front garden, no lights on etc and so the occupants are obviously not made an effort to participate nor create an inviting atmosphere then you don't knock on their doors!

Yet every year we get people bothering us. it's tedious.
We don't do Halloween and we don't want to be disturbed and we made it pretty obvious so read the fucking room people!

so my advice is: if in doubt leave it out.
only go up to houses where it's obvious that people are expecting trick or treaters.
thanks

Danikm151 · 30/10/2021 21:29

Make sure your child doesn’t say “money or treats” like some cf that came round to mine on Thursday!

SpookyS · 30/10/2021 21:31

We've had a couple of knocks tonight that we've ignored.

We don't have any sweets (or kids!) but I suppose we could invite them in to watch Hellraiser with us, in the spirit of Halloween.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 30/10/2021 21:31

@SixQuidGames

I thought it was only decorated houses but we’ve had people knock the last couple of years when we don’t have decorations which annoys me a bit. We just don’t answer the door but kids trying to peer through the letterbox or in the windows is not on.
we once had are windows egged as retaliation for not answering the door.

we weren't home 🤨🤬

Tatum1234 · 30/10/2021 21:32

We only visit decorated houses and kids here tend to go from about 4.30pm and it’s all finished by 7pm.

BananaPB · 30/10/2021 21:39

People where I live start around 5 and I take in our pumpkin around 8:30 because I'd rather not answer the door after that time.

Are you on a local FB site ? You might want to check if it's COVID trick or treating in which case there are alternative activities like a trail or spot the pumpkin in the window.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 30/10/2021 21:42

*our windows
not are.

Theyellowflamingo · 30/10/2021 22:27

Explain to your children this is not like shopping. I just refuse to be involved now and we have a sign that politely says “go away” but in the past when I did answer the door to trick and treaters I got really fed up with tweens complaining they didn’t like what I was offering, their preferred sweet from the multipack had run out, the chocolate bar was supermarket brand not Mars… It’s not Tesco, you take what you’re given, gratefully.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 31/10/2021 03:15

RE: the shops, I live in New York and you trick or treat with tiny children at the shops here. One example: https://www.meatpacking-district.com/events/treats-in-the-streets/?mccid=ddf24f6072&mcc_eid=c3d1a8d386

It's LOADS of fun. Some of them also dish out treats like wine, beer and perfume samples to the parents. I also came home with three pumpkins we were given.