I don't get why Hallowe'en can't 'happen' this year

[BabyLlamaZen]

I know a lot of people hate halloween, so this isn't about that!

For those who find it a bit of fun, especially with kids, I dont get why everyone is going on about how it's ruined and cancelled?

Isn't the whole point doing up your house all creatively and spooky then going for walks around your neighbourhood to have a look? I.e. your daily walk. Ok so we won't be going inside other houses, but did you ever? My plan was to leave individual paper bags of sweets in a basket on the front step with some sanitizer. People take them at their own risk, like every year? 🤷‍♀️

How is it worse than going to eat in a cafe next to strangers? We know it's mostly airborne. Am I crazy?

I agree. No different to someone handing you a takeaway bag!

@WhatWouldJKRDo
Genuinely surprised people would put a whole pile out at once - don't you think the first gang of kids without a parent is going to take the lot?
Ha, yeah exactly this lol
I always laugh when people say "just leave a bowl outside for people to take their own"
Erm, it'd be pinched in seconds round here
Quite looking forward to the fact that trick or treaters might not be descending this year, I know lots of people enjoy it but silver lining of this year for me!

We live in the US now, in a neighborhood where halloween is a big thing. Last year more than 7000 children came in one evening. It gets REALLY crowded. I am sad, as I usually love giving away the sweets, plus this is the first year my little boy would understand (he is 3), but halloween just can't happen this year.

I really find it hard to believe that anyone could write out an OP like this and not think about trick or treating.

Isn't the whole point doing up your house all creatively and spooky then going for walks around your neighbourhood to have a look

Nobody really thinks that's the "whole point" of Halloween. You're being deliberately obtuse for some reason.

I’ve already decorated my house, inside and out! I did grow up in America though and it’s a big deal over there!

We’re mostly doing what we do every year, minus the trick or treating. Kids are usually on half term so I do a Halloween themed disco party for them with their friends, watch scary movies, eat party food and then go trick or treating once it’s dark. There’s a house about a 5 min walk away who go all out so we usually walk up to see that as well. This year we’ll just do the same, minus the kids friends over and minus trick or treating. Doubt the kids will notice much difference once the sweets are out!

We are not the 51st state. If you wish to ape this American tradition, at least keep it to your own house instead of visiting strangers. Most will not answer the door and others may be blunt and rude in their response.

Watch Strictly instead or do something else.

I’m doing indoor trick or treating for my own kids. Each room will be a different ‘house’. Will have a bowl of fun size chocolate bars by the door and a pair of long kitchen tongs to place them in bags in case anyone knock.

*knocks

Haribos on a washing line, quarantine for 72 hours beforehand.

Go for it OP. I'm doing the same. The risk from packets of sweets is vanishingly small.

@FourTeaFallOut

Your bowl is now Haribo and COVID

Trick or Treat?

Thank you @FourTeaFallOutfor the best laugh I’ve had in weeks

@nosswith

We are not the 51st state. If you wish to ape this American tradition, at least keep it to your own house instead of visiting strangers. Most will not answer the door and others may be blunt and rude in their response.

Watch Strictly instead or do something else.

Ah, the usual ignorant-of-history “51st state” bore 🙄

Let’s just say it was purely a US invention. Why would it be so bad to look at something and think, “hey, that looks fun! Let’s do it!” Don’t be a fun sponge.

Being blunt and rude to small children is not kind, just don't open the door..

Where I live you put a lit pumpkin out of you welcome trick or treaters. The kids are good, no one knocks if theres no pumpkin. People can exercise a choice. Its perfectly possible to trick or treat and social distance, I think its madness to eliminate one of the few relatively safe fun seasonal activities available to children.

What I dont get is people saying they're just going to go around a few friends' houses instead. There isn't less of a chance that way surely. It just seems to me people have ideas of ways to dodge the virus (wish to god it was that easy!!)

Haribos on a washing line, quarantine for 72 hours beforehand

Got the most bizarre mental image of haribo packets merrily bobbing in the wind now lol

Your bowl is now Haribo and COVID

Trick or Treat?

Having a group of children shout "Trick or treat" in your face from a short distance away is on the official list of common ways to get infected.

😂😂😂😂 I love Mumsnet.

at least keep it to your own house instead of visiting strangers

Don't you know your neighbours at all? I know which children will knock on our door, they all live locally.

@Vinorosso74

I don't think trick or treating is a good idea this year. DD is going to have a couple of friends over (unless rules change) and they can still dress up/face paint. We're going to do some pumpkin carving, decorate some cakes/biscuits and maybe some gross "what's in the box" type game and get some sparklers as there'll be no firework events. May have a walk out to see of anyone has done any Halloween decorations.

Just be very careful with dressing up outfits & sparklers! Personally I would make the change into normal clothes to do sparklers.

We have about 30 groups of trick or treaters ,always lovely well mannered kids , i can't see everyone will choose not to do it so i think my plan will be that i make up individual bags of mixed sweets rather than the usual dip into a bowl of sweets .
My 12 year old who totally loves Halloween will give the sweets out at the door but won't go out herself as she usually does with friends and her big brother minder .
I have no issue with anyone coming to my door, i will be scrupulous with hygiene , kids love Halloween , its outside for a relatively short time can't see a problem .

My DS is having 3 friends over (unless they stop households mixing) and we will.play silly games and decorate biscuits etc. I'll be doing pizza for tea and some Halloween style cakes x

I'll decorate the house but won't open the door to Trick or Treaters- I'll feel mean as I love when they call.
Mine are too old to be Trick or Treating.

I think a Halloween at home can still be fun. We're going to do a spooky village walk with torches to see the decorations, and there will be plenty of sweets and a mildly scary movie.

I'm more worried about firework night this year. All the local displays have been cancelled, so every knobhead is going to be letting off fireworks in their back garden. Feel sorry for people with dogs and those who have to work at A&E!

I hope that a very clear message is put out by government that it is not acceptable to go trick or treating. I am incredulous it is needed but from the barmy ideas on this thread it clearly is. Individual bags of sweets are no use whatsoever, and children naturally congregate together. I think the kids can cope without it for one year. It’s far more important that schools are kept open. And any poster who chooses to still do it is simply unfair for kids who have sensible parents who have banned it.

@BabyLlamaZen

I know a lot of people hate halloween, so this isn't about that!

For those who find it a bit of fun, especially with kids, I dont get why everyone is going on about how it's ruined and cancelled?

Isn't the whole point doing up your house all creatively and spooky then going for walks around your neighbourhood to have a look? I.e. your daily walk. Ok so we won't be going inside other houses, but did you ever? My plan was to leave individual paper bags of sweets in a basket on the front step with some sanitizer. People take them at their own risk, like every year? 🤷‍♀️

How is it worse than going to eat in a cafe next to strangers? We know it's mostly airborne. Am I crazy?

Erm... it’s specifically not airborne, as in it’s not floating around in the air. It is mainly particle borne transmitted through coughing, sneezing and talking. It can also live on surfaces. So many hands dipping into any kind of receptacle is not a good idea. However, the rest of your post is exactly what we will he doing. Our local area has asked people to put pumpkins outside so that children can walk round in costumes and count them. 🎃🙂