To not let my children go trick or treating

[Nolikeythespookey]

I really dislike trick or treating. It is not a British thing - it is a new thing from America and I think it's greedy and intrusive. I don't want my kids going to strangers doors and essentially saying 'give us sweets or we'll do something bad to you'. I think it's horrible manners and not even necessarily safe. I don't think children need a big bucket of 'candy' either.

My kids have been young enough to discourage this so far, but this year one has been invited out trick or treating with friends. I've said we have other plans. He's 6. When they get a bit older and are more aware of the whole thing I won't let them feel left out and will grudgingly allow them to go (with an adult) but I really, really hate this stupid non tradition.

We did used to have 'guising' on hallowe'en in the UK, where kids/guisers had to do a 'party piece/turn' to earn their treat, and I think that's a much nicer thing - bit of give and take and no demanding/threatening from the kids, plus the treat could easily be 20p or an apple.

[MoneyMug]

I love having trick or treaters at the door. Didn't get any last year. Was secretly disappointed.

I don't think it's begging at all.

[Laquitar]

Sorry but i find the 'begging' comnents very funny.

[devilinside]

We did Halloween in England in the 70s including trick and treating, so it's hardly a new American import. My DC including my ASD son are beyond excited. They shall be dressing up and knocking on doors, with me keeping a watchful eye

[boardcreche]

Not a new thing from duh duh duh duh AMERICA - home- of- all -is- bad- in -the- world. Apparently.
It is an Irish/Scots/celtic thing going back centuries. the immigrants took it to America.

if you dont like it dont do it. but without the whining.

my kids love it, it is fun.

[Trigglesx]

FixItUp As someone that grew up in the States, with Halloween trick or treating and all, I have to say I agree with you. Halloween just isn't what it used to be, sadly. I used to enjoy it, now that it's more a "gore-fest" kind of thing, not so much.

[SconeRhymesWithGone]

As an American of Scottish descent, I have decided to be doubly offended at the "rude and begging" comments.

(We need a jack o' lantern smiley.)

[BeCool]

FixItUp we go T&T'ing in an America enclave in London and it is quite like you describe. Very nice.

[Topseyt]

I hate it. I am rather glad now that my kids have virtually outgrown it anyway, so I can largely get away without it. We still get a few hopefuls round though, and if it is friends with their kids I feel obliged to offer something. It is begging though, and that is my gripe with it.

I have been tempted before to put them off by coating brussels sprouts in chocolate (would look a bit like Ferrero Rocher, wouldn't it). But that would be a waste of good chocolate.

[IamSlave]

But is it begging when they knock on doors of people who are also participating

If i go and buy some sweets for children, who then knock on my door...how is that begging?

If I do not want to do it - I do not open my door or make my house look halloweeny.

I do agree though that there are some parents or DC who keep banging on someones door who clearly does not want to participate.

[pumpkinsweetie]

Yanbu, and do not have to take part.
Halloween is a new thing in Britain, i very much enjoy it but then i'm much a big kid anyway.

I don't however believe Trick or Treating is begging, as people also have a choice to say No to Trick or Treater's, for example a note on their door/ignoring the door/ or politely telling them no.

My children normally go with me and they are polite

[trixymalixy]

Scotland is part of Britain!!!!!!!!! Halloween has been celebrated in Scotland for centuries.

Who was it who said Alec Salmond will be gaining ground with threads like these.....

[Stravy]

It's not even new in England

[pumpkinsweetie]

Excuse my last post, what i meant bt new is all the hype over halloween.

[Ridersofthestorm]

I used to go trick or treating as a child and I loved it! I've got no problem with my ds doing it when he's a bit older.

I just think its a bit of harmless fun, but I totally understand its not for everyone. You don't have to take part if you don't want to and you don't have to answer your door to trick or treaters either.

[SybilRamkin]

Aw, I used to go trick or treating as a child and it was brilliant! I loved dressing up and carving a pumpkin my dad had grown specially for the occasion.

I go a bit mad now decorating our house for Halloween, DH thinks I'm mad - it seems to attract every child within half a mile radius, last year we got 80 kids knocking on the door

The only thing that worries me is the prevalence of black costumes and lack of road awareness of some kids - a couple of years ago I almost knocked down a couple of them on my bike because they stepped out and I hadn't even seen them. Last year I gave out light-up helium-filled balloons with the sweets to the small ones so that cars and bikes could see them, and intend to do the same this year.

[Sukebind]

I don't understand why some people are so quick to condemn anyone with a different opinion here. It seems to me that in some places in this country Trick or Treating is considered to be a fun, inclusive event that many choose to take part in, while in other parts of the UK it might be only something down as a pre-agreed thing between friends or neighbours or that is abused by older children as an excuse for causing trouble and raising cash. I don't see why you should be accused of being a miserable whatsit just because you live in the latter sort of area.

My friend in the next road was burgled on 31st Oct two years ago. Police said that the darker evenings and the fact that people expect to see strangers going up to houses and possibly messing about meant that burgleries round here shot up that night. This doesn't mean Trick or Treaters are to blame for the break-ins and thefts but does explain why some people round here aren't keen on the tradition.

Moreover, posters who have complained about the same old threads are possibly not taking into account the fact that the same issues come up year after year but for different parents and for them it's the first time they have come across them. If they are new parents, new to the site or their child has just got to the age where it's an issue now, then you can't expect them to have been following the last 12 years of threads on here. If you are fed up with it, just don't read it.

[randomAXEofkindness]

Lovely little expectant faces excited about being out in the DARK, about being part of something FUN, about being all DRESSED UP, about doing something DIFFERENT, sharing all of this with their friends, family, and neighbors. Oh it's bloody terrible isn't it!

I'll be taking mine out 'begging' (bah!) and I'm sure they'll thoroughly enjoy it. Even Mr Random will be dressing up this year (zombie). I think I'll even take some cupcakes to hand out as we go, cause that's the way I roll .

YABU op. And since when did something being 'not British' make it any less of anything except... British?

[roundtable]

So is it the same posters who don't like trick or treating, baby showers, weddings, other people's happiness...etc?

[frumpypigskin]

I hate it. I turn all the lights off and pretend to be out.

And I have small children. They have to pretend to be out too, or they go to bed early.

[2tiredtocare]

We were never allowed to do it my mum used to say it was 'American and begging' back in the 80's, I took my 2 out with a couple of little friends last year for the first time and knocked on the doors of friends who later did similar. I don't think it's fair to knock on the doors of people who clearly don't want to participate though

[MadeOfStarDust]

so because I don't like trick or treating or baby showers - and not weddings per-se - but wedding lists do make it in there.... I "don't like other people's happiness" ..... sheesh....

I just don't like things which have become commercialised - lets-spend-shedloads-of-money-on-crap fests -

I don't happen to partake... but you do what you like - it might help the economy recover I suppose....

[thebody]

no it's a PITA and I am not going to constantly be opening my door and letting in the cold to give some kid a sweet.

fuck that. my kids were never allowed to and didn't want to.

it's as bloody annoying as carol singers. fuck off

[squoosh]

You fuck off.

[EmeraldJeanie]

Have not read whole thread..
Don't like it but have sweets in for the hoards that knock on door. My 2 do the neighbours and next ones down= 4 houses. My oldest grumbles and does the 'But everyone...' bit..