To not want to give any loot to people who can't be bothered to get dressed up for trick or treating.

[losingtrust]

We have decorated the house and sweets at the ready and three kids came round with their bags at the ready and no outfits. I am a grump I know but please make a bit of an effort.

I stood and watched kids knock at houses blacked out while I have candles lit (and loads of sweets) and not one knock on the door. Are they for real.

I made a bin bag witches costume for my DD when she was about nine. She has never forgiven me although she was delighted at the time.

I used my DD's communion dress and covered it in black spider lace. She went as the bride of Dracula. Thought I may get struck down on my way round though!

I don't really get into it all (did a little when my DC were young but they're not bothered now and 3 have left home!) So there's no pumpkin or decorations at our house but I felt a bit mean when I thought about just ignoring everyone. So tonight I put a sign on the door saying:

"Happy Halloween

Please only call if you've made an effort
No teenagers with masks"

Worked a "treat" - lots of small children dressed up with parents lurking in the background and a couple of groups of slightly older ones who hadn't made much effort, but at least they'd done something more than dark clothing and a scream mask!

I took the sign down once it had been completely dark for about an hour and didn't get any more after that.

The pizza delivery man laughed when I opened the door and offered him a bowl of sweets - funnily enough he wanted hard cash!

I had a few like that last night. One girl came in school uniform with a younger brother and mutely thrust the bag in my face when I opened the door.

I gave both kids the chocolate but then she told me she needed four more for the others who were not there! Not a chance

I turned four teens away empty handed last night too. I just said 'If you can't be bothered, I can't be bothered' and shut the door.

Perhaps they were dressed up modern day door to door beggars.

My son had his costume on but it was so cold that he had a big hoodie on over the top. It did look like he hadn't made the effort but he had. All you could see was his (fake) blood splattered mask as he was a mad doctor.