To put up a "no trick or treating" sign, even though im taking DD?

[LEMisafucker]

So DD wants to do trick or treating - i can barely contain my joy

We have two escape artist dogs that i don't want to have to keep in the garden tomorrow evening because of trick or treaters. Last year one of them slipped out and no one noticed for a while, fortunately he just took himself round to my mums house.

Is that terribly grouchy and hypocritical?

Last year we decorated the house as DD had a halloween party so i know that pretty much acts as an invitation as we only ever knock on houses with a pumpkin or deccies so this year we are not decorating (much to DD's disgust) so that it doesn't encourage.

Do you think people are grouches if you see no trick or treat signs?

I am putting a sign up when DS goes to bed. But I hate Halloween and wouldn't allow him to go trick or treating anyway!

Totally hypocritical.

Taking the sweets and not giving does seem a bit . Give your karma a polish by giving a load to the local food bank or homeless shelter. Job's a good un.

MrsTerrypratchet - thats a brilliant idea, i will do that x

How about leaving a bowl of sweets outside with a note to help themselves? Next to a lit pumpkin so people can see it

You can't go trick or treating and expect people to open their doors to you and then not do it yourself. Keep your dog's in your house.

They might think you are a grouch.

But obviously, you are not

I know about bloody escape artist dogs. And I can't put mine in the garden because they are terrified of fireworks so they hide upstairs at Halloween.

I don't think it will really bother anyone, some of our neighbours put up no trick or treating signs, it's up to you if you don't want people to knock, isn't it?

Why are people saying its hypocritical?

LEM isn't saying "I hate Halloween, I don't want to see any trick or treaters but I am still going myself"

It's a situation where, actually, the dogs could get out or make a nuisance of themselves.
And given that a lot of people here have DCs who do not like dogs and get very upset if dogs go near them, surely it would be better if they don't knock on the door?

CMOT - yes, thats a good idea too - i think we have missed the boat re the pumpkins though as tesco were sold out, but i'll put out a bowl of sweets yes.

Generationx - err, the whole point is keeping the dogs in the house, we don't have a door between the front room and the front door so can't lock them in.

Why are people saying its hypocritical?

To me the hypocritical bit is going to other peoples houses and causing them disruption but then not wanting that disruption yourself.

What Sirzy said for me.

I don't think the OP is being unreasonable in not wanting disruption. But is entirely unreasonable in then causing potential disruption to other people.

If there won't be anyone home then you can't give out sweets! if anyone comes 'round after you're back you can give something out.

You won't get many trick or treaters if you don't decorate or put a pumpkin out. I think it's fine to opt out but totally hypocritical to then go yourself.

Killjoy! The dogs will survive out the back for a few hours or locked in the kitchen whil you open the front door.

"disruption" or the joy of seeing lovely costumes and happy faces? Joyless buggers on here sometimes. Remind me to hate birthdays for adults and loathe Christmas as well. Bah, Humbug!

Just put your dogs on their leads whilst you are in and then you can hang on to them whilst you open the door . I think it is totally hypocritical to go trick or treating but not partake in the giving part. We've never done it and generally just go out for the evening .

Hypocritical. If it's too inconvenient to you to facilitate other people's kids one night a year, you shouldn't expect them to hand stuff out to yours.

Do you know anyone who has a stairgate you can borrow? That way you can keep the dogs out of the way when you open the door. That's what I do.

I put a note on the door just asking people to please be quiet as the baby is sleeping, but that we've got sweets for them. Last year kids just whispered 'treat or treat!' when we opened the door and it was quite lovely.

Only we will know. I think it's fair enough. Round here there's this ridiculous situation of nobody being in because they are all out at the same time ...

I also don't like Halloween. Especially when the little sweethearts don't say Thankyou.

I agree with Sirzy. Bit of a selfish attitude.

I think you should make an effort for part of the evening. Put the dogs out for an hour, and tend to the early callers. Then put your sign up and settle in for the evening. That would seem a reasonable compromise to me.

We dont do T&T as I object to the whole palaver. However if I did do it then I wouldnt expect my kids to given sweets but then not give them out, that is very hypocritical!

Your DD wants to T&T and.....? You can always say no!