Trick or treat with no decorations

[DanceMonkeyDanceMonkey]

Hallowe'en wasn't such a thing when my dc were young, compared to now. I have never taken them trick or treating. My road has 9 houses, and no one puts out pumpkins or decorations.

AIBU to be annoyed by someone ringing the bell? DH was embarrassed and gave them money, but I feel that we should not have to partake if we choose not to.

I have honestly never heard of the only knocking doors with decorations etiquette. It certainly wasn't something I adhered to when I was younger, nor did anyone else in our area.

This year and last we had no trick or treaters at our door and we were very disappointed and had to eat all the treats

It seems really strange to me - myself and my DP as fully grown adults are unlikely to want to bother decorating our house when DSD won't be here over Halloween, but that doesn't mean we're Scrooge's who don't have sweets for the other kids. I left the front light on and thought that would be enough, but apparently not.

Now worried my neighbours will think we're awful 😂

I was only ever allowed to go trick or treating to my friends houses. There was 4 of us in our close so thats all we did, then we had a party.
I love decorating for festive seasons and love a good Halloween party. But I don't appreciate some random kids and their parents hammering at my door, begging for free food, in the evening when I've been at work all day! I just ignore them. I don't put any decorations at the front of the house but leave the porch light on for when my husband comes home from work. It's not an invitation. Luckily this year we only had one lot.
I don't understand why adults think it's ok to knock on a strangers door with their kids. Surely it's also more disappointing for their children then when no one answers. It's a bit weird.

A few years ago (pre DC) I was actually in bed recovering from an operation. House in total darkness, no decs etc.
Someone knocked on the door non stop for 5 minutes so I got out of bed (as totally woken up).
There was a dad and a small girl. He seemed totally shocked I didn’t have anything. I didn’t know him, I’d never seen them before (I do know the people on my street). It was totally bizarre and he even seemed a bit annoyed.
Thing is I know no one in my street would answer the door anyway (lots of elderly) I wonder how many houses they tried...

I don't understand why adults think it's ok to knock on a strangers door with their kids

It’s Halloween. That’s why. If you don’t like it then don’t do it.

Yes the rule here is only go to houses with decorations. I got home from work about 6.30 and lots of people were out , but by 8.30 when i was vringing DD back from a party very few people were still out. I bought bags of sweets for DS to take to a party but i don't do halloween decs or trick or treat. The only time i have was when a mum from school said her DD was trick or treating and could they come here .

@Mammylamb another Scot here who'd never ever heard of it! Just glad I have now before I have kids/Halloween falls on a day we have DSD, or id be classed as a right CF! 😂

When I was a kid if a light was on then we could knock.

It must of been such a hassle walking to your door once.

That is not the point, and again I tend to prefer lights on when I am at home. Take your children to houses that are clearly participating. Why should I have to explain that I have nothing to give? To complete strangers.

Give them apples. They never come back and they tell their friends not to bother. Works for me.

Halloween is a huge deal here in Ireland and been huge since I was a tot and im 40’s now. Rule has always been to only go to the houses with porch light on and decorated. Porch light and front room with lights on and blinds open is also acceptable. Other than that then no way do you knock.

I brought mine out at 7.I5. I had 100 bags made up and all but 3 were gone before them from door knockers. The boys haul was huge and it was a lot of fun. On top of the light thing the rule where I am at least is wrapped sweets only, anything open goes straight in the bin, no fruit, no nuts and in premade packs where possible. Its been a great week here but all decs will be diwn tomorrow!

You sound like an absolute barrel of laughs DanceMonkey. It must be awfully tiring letting such small things wind you up to this extent.

Give them apples. They never come back and they tell their friends not to bother. Works for me.
Satsumas in my case. That was a few years ago and we haven't had any Trick or Treaters since.

I would teach my child to say thank you whatever they got.

And I would not be rude if someone didn't have have anything we'd say it's ok and carry on

It is when people are rude to us that makes me annoyed cos there's just no need for it

Please don't give money. I love halloween but decorated only. Also most police forces have a sorry no trick or treaters sign. Worth printing if you need no knocks

Problem with the signs is that if you are like some parents me you hang back at the driveway and send your little monsters up alone. And they can read, just about, but not at night and in strange handwriting on a door. We saw some tonight that had left a bowl of sweets on their doorstep.
Didn't see any actual teenagers, max age was about 12.

My daughter (4) was invited to go trick or treating by a school friend, DW thought it would be nice although it’s not something that ever appealed to me before.
Drove to the estate where the friend lives and it turns out that lots of kids were there, supervised by parents. Daughter bumped into a few friends from school, while DW chatted to the mums. All very civilised and good natured. The kids like dressing up and getting sweets, as long as it’s done in good spirit at a reasonable time then I think it’s ok. About a third of the houses were decorated and lots of people were very welcoming to the little ones which was nice to see. A bit like an American movie!
It started at 6 and was mostly done by 7pm so not late.
The kids only went to decorated doors but like I said the community seemed really into it.

Why should I have to explain that I have nothing to give? To complete strangers.

This is where not opening your door is key.

Trick or Treaters will be complete strangers, and disguised in costumes and masks to boot. What is your issue with this?

I understand that some people don’t like it but there’s enough sadness and misery in the country/ world that letting kids have a bit of fun for a few hours isn’t the end of the world. I answered the door earlier to a few kids with parents and seeing their little faces light up made my night!

It’s certainly not a thing in my area that only decorated houses welcome trick or treaters. I know loads of people who wouldn’t decorate but who get sweets in for Halloween. There’s no agreed custom in this country as far as I’m aware. I thought it was more an American thing.

I walked around my road with my Son and he knocked on houses with decorations and without, he got plenty of sweets from houses which didn’t have decorations.

If you don’t want to participate then don’t answer the door. I told my Son a quick knock and if no answer to come back down the path because people may be busy or not like Halloween.

Blowandgo I have many fond memories of Halloween in Dublin as a child five decades ago. We got apples and nuts and gathered around a huge local bonfire the boys had built from scrap lumber often with nails embedded, dried hedge clippings, etc. I remember making papier mache masks in Art in school one year..

My mum spent Hallowe'en this year getting to know several new neighbours with children who have moved in. She gives out one piece of candy per child . (Child of the 30s and 40s. Old habits die hard.)

My south americian au-pair goes a bundle on this, she did an excellent display outside lots of black spidery netting stuff looked the bizz.

Even a suspended witch figure above the porch with a couple of candles litghting up her eyes!

Lots of very happy excited children left here with lots of presents and sweets and the like so all in good time:)

My understanding was decorated houses only. Also from friends who participate, it is only houses of friends / neighbours and family. Not strangers.

I will know for next year to not answer the door and also make a large sign saying fuck off not participating.

No they shouldnt knock but money is e mad?

I was going to suggest a sign they have some online u can print off

@mathanxiety there was a few bonfires with fireworks around the area, boys had sparklers! Not a black bagged witch in sight lol Its a lovely tradition and because its Irish it means a lot to us to continue on. There was barn braic and a fainne but no colcannon this year as i was working.

Buying a bag of sweets just in case is probably less hassle than printing off a sign.
Each to their own.