To take my ds aged 22 months trick or treating

[YummyorSlummy]

Even though he can't say 'trick or treat'? Not sure whether to go or wait until next year and just let him answer the door instead. So please can you all tell me what to do?!

I'm very glad I live in the middle of nowhere where a trick thingy would need a 4X4 to get to my completely stingy house and then would have a flea in their ear, so they won't bother. Personally can't stand it and wouldn't want DS to partake of this, I think it's creepy and not in a good way. just eeerrrggh.
Sorry, just how I feel about Halloween.

So don't take a toddler!

Yes, I can imagine others are also very glad you live in the middle of nowhere

YABU. It's begging. It is also encouraging children to knock on strangers doors. It's also TRICK or treat. If you get no treat, do something nasty to the poor old lady who your child has just begged from and has nothing to give. Nice.
Halloween is just another commercial event which has no actual links to it's origins at all.

It's funny Maisie, they always use that as an excuse not to visit. Is it me [hgrin]?

Here's the poster for anyone who wants it.

KnittingisbetterthanTherapy: thank you so much!

I think most people on here wouldn't send their children to strangers doors. Those who do use Halloween as an excuse to harrass and intimidate should be treated exactly as they would on any other night - by the police.

Tiger - it's you [hgrin]

You're welcome ilovesooty, I hope it has the desired effect .

Whatever wonderful things are done in the US (and I'm genuinely sure they are wonderful), this isn't the US and lots of people here don't like it. It's not a slur on Americans or America, it's just a dislike of being harrassed in your own home. If it was as simple as not putting a pumpkin out if you don't want visitors then fine. But I have never put a pumpkin out and we get them every year. I don't want to be pestered by Jehovah's Witnesses, tea towel salesmen, chuggers, gas company salesmen or kids, no matter how old they are. And I don't see why people should be forced to sit in the dark to avoid them

The tables will turn next week because I love Guy Fawkes night and fireworks. All the anti-fireworks whingers will come out of the woodwork then, won't they? Will you be calling them miseries too?

begging

Oh, and I do realise that it's Celtic in origin but people always seem to think anyone anti-Halloween is anti-American and take it as a personal insult.

Arrgh. Thought I was doing something wrong. I hate visitors anyway. The last milkman is buried under the apple tree. Can I get a part in Midsomer Murders?

Stewiegriffinsmum. Thank you. I'd rather be an idiot than a sheep.

Rock - unless you live on a deserted island somewhere you're going to get bothered by other people, be they guisers/trick or treaters/JW/salespeople/whatever. Try putting up the poster that Knitting suggested and see if that works. Have you got a "no cold caller" sign up on your door as well?

Guy Fawkes night is a completely different kettle of fish - you (and your pets) can't just ignore the noise in the same way you can turn off your doorbell, can you? At least Halloween is for a few hours on one night only - GF goes on for days

Yes I am quite aware of the origins of Halloween. And yes, small children are not thugs. Unfortunately, they grow up and get let out on their own.
I've given loads to trick or treaters in the past when I lived in a built up area and got no peace. I've also been egged and been tricked, when the cupboard had been emptied and there was nothing left to give.
Halloween WAS a pagan festival, tied up over time with seasonal change, the dead and witches.
Now it is an excuse for people to give money to retainers, and put pressure on others to do the same. Just like Easter and Christmas. Why should I spend my hard earned food allowance on sweets for other peoples kids, however sweet they are? I definitely wouldn't condone my own children doing this! I'm sorry if you think that I am an idiot, but frankly I don't give a toss!

OMG What a bunch of misery guts. My DD is 18 months old and we will be going trick or treeting with our friends and their young children. What is the harm in going to a few houses in the street? Saying its begging is a bit excessive, its just a bit of fun.

Retailers!

How old are your children Stinky?

14 and 11. Does that have any relevance?