To not give out sweets at halloween?

[nappyaddict]

What do people think about halloween themed stickers, pencils, rubbers, balloons etc instead?

And does anyone actually give money or fruit?

The kids round by us got narked last year when the husband gave them sweets in stead of cakes, I usually make cupcakes and the kids know me so the parents are happy.We did do a halloween party on year where someone had the bright idea of colouring white chocolate red in the chocolate fountain they had, looked disgusting but the kids loved it.

Pencils and stuff ok. Vouchers for McDonalds ok.
Putting Avon books in with a treat-not ok.
My sons are grown now, but no way would I ever allow them to eat homemade treats or fruit from a stranger. They did not ever refuse them, that would be rude, but they knew they would go into the garbage.
It is not an urban myth, it may not ever happen to your child, but why take the risk?

It is sad, I would love to make fudge or candy apples to give out.

I should add, I do not think they have received more than 1-2 apples, and once cookies in all the years of trick or treating we have done, and my eldest is age 33.

dh and i buy bags of sweets from 99p shop (tho ones i like incase of any left over)

tbh kids kinda expect and want sweets

i think you should only allow your children to knock on houses that you know

and ive been tempted to say trick when they shout trick or treat, but i dont but i do expect thank you after they get sweets!!

sweetes, sweets, sweets, sweets, sweets......[hgrin]

I've occasionally given out satsumas, or pencils, if I've been unprepared with sweets. The kids have not seemed disappointed (I think they'd be cross if they didn't get any sweets from anyone, but that's not going to happen). Let's face it, if I was cunning enough to insert a razor blade into a satsuma invisibly then I'd be quite capable of injecting Harpic into a Maom bar and rewrapping it. I call BS.

In madamdeathstares defence - that warning has been round for donkeys years and has always been doled out in the US as basic trick or treating safety advice. I lived in the states as a kid in the 80's and even back then we were told not to accept unwrapped items including fruit. We did get given small cardboard boxes to collect money for unicef but were never given money as a treat. We no longer do Halloween so can't advise on whats appropriate here.

Piceasmoon can I have the recepies for ur fudge etc - I am being serious! Please message me them? X

I would like my ds to receive other stuff as I am not keen on him receiving loads of sweets but it is up to the household and it is generous of people to give treats in the first place!

Fudge
500g of soft brown sugar
60g butter or margarine
half a pint of milk
few drops vanilla essence

Heat the sugar, butter and milk in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil,stirring all the time. Boil for about 30 mins (test by dripping a little into a bowl of cold water and it forms a soft ball when done). Take off the heat, add vanilla and beat the mixture until thick and creamy. POUR into a greased tin 15cmx15cm. Leave it to set and cut into squares.

You can change the vanilla for cocoa or add raisins (I keep off nuts in case of allergies). It came from a kids cook book so is simple.

I also favour Delia's Uncle Billy's toffee.

MadamDeathstare Fri 29-Oct-10 14:26:23
Well DansMommy what do you expect? I made myself look like an idiot and quite rightly got called on it.

[hgrin]

That's the most honest reply to a stroppy comment I've ever had!!!!

An old lady a few roads away got egged cos she gave out fruit

"I am in the US Imarriedafrog. It seems wierd to you because of the culture difference.

I thought it would be helpful, as you are adopting a US custom, to provide the US safety guidelines on trick or treat."

MDS, I think if you look it up on Wikipedia you'll find that the US adopted this custom from the UK .

See here.

(Although I do agree with you that I wouldn't personally take unwrapped things - not because of mistrust but because of the fact that other kids had probably poked them)

we got swamped last night - prob had 30ish kids round - ALL said thank you or else i would have taken the sweets back

we got eaten out of sweets, and last few kids who knocked were told sorry, but offered an apple - i REFUSE to give cash!!

On holiday in Ireland last week, they go overboard with Halloween there, decorating houses, shops are full of fancy dress etc.
DH and I, sitting in the pub, young mum with little girl in arms, dressed up, with a witches hat collecting money! Gobsmacked.
It's just glorified begging, how many people take sweets to a pub, just in case, a trick or treater strides through the door? Utter cheek of it!

I think the Americans do it properly and in the right spirit but Europeans just look at it like a money spinner.

I don't care Dansmommy, I still am not letting my children eat unwrapped candy that has been God knows where or cakes made by strangers who may have doubtful hygiene.

Have you ever eaten at a restaurant, or at McDonalds, etc. Don't assume they all have amazing standards of hygiene, or that each and every one of them practices aqequate hand hygeine.

Madam If you're so concerned about this then why take your kids out at all.