Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put out sweets at Halloween?

131 replies

GinAtMerlottes · 24/10/2020 18:50

I’m in a tier 2.

I don’t really understand why people are saying we can’t do trick or treating? It’s a big thing here and the children will miss it if we don’t go. Obviously we won’t be going around in a big group and will be keeping distance.

I have a wall alongside my drive, and I plan to set out small bags buttons/lollies etc along one by one so children can take as they walk past. I can literally see no problem with this. AIBU?

OP posts:
Jeremyironseverything · 26/10/2020 07:35

Round here kids only go to houses with decorations out, so I can't even put up decorations as I don't want anyone knocking and I don't want to encourage it.
I'm disappointed about that as I like decorating the house. I would do, if I knew that it was just a trail, but I expect that some would still knock so I'm not doing it.

hellywelly3 · 26/10/2020 07:35

Just not worth the risk not just myself or my children but to the wider community. To the people asking what tier they live in, surely you know because each tier has different guidelines to follow

GirlCrush · 26/10/2020 07:41

Not worth the risk at all! I agree

And it’s a nice welcome break from the madness and greed of Halloween in general

PersonaNonGarter · 26/10/2020 07:55

Don’t do this. Instead do... something else.

It’s a pandemic, you can cope with Halloween at home.

ChasingRainbows19 · 26/10/2020 07:56

We weren’t allowed to trick or treat, parents didn’t like Halloween felt it was an excuse for begging. It didn’t damage me me although I don’t particularly care for Halloween much as an adult now.

Have a house family party, dress up, pumpkin trails, or decoration walks, tell ghost stories and play Halloween games, watch spooky kids films. Just celebrate it in a different way.

ohhwoooooooooooooo · 26/10/2020 08:01

My child is in reception they touch everything at school already. One of his new friends kissed him goodbye the other afternoon!! Get a grip a packet of sweets is highly unlikely to give them Covid.

Tell you what I'll put on a mask to put them out and if course wash my hands before handling.

ohhwoooooooooooooo · 26/10/2020 08:01

My child is in reception they touch everything at school already. One of his new friends kissed him goodbye the other afternoon!! Get a grip a packet of sweets is highly unlikely to give them Covid.

Tell you what I'll put on a mask to put them out and if course wash my hands before handling.

Washimal · 26/10/2020 08:02

My DC love trick or treating too, but I've explained it's not happening this year and they understand the reasons why. Instead, I'm doing a Halloween Hunt, like an Easter egg hunt but with Halloween themed treats hidden in the house and garden for them to find. They'll still dress up, we'll watch a spooky film and I'm doing 'party food' for tea. The kids are really excited about it because the adults have presented it as a fun, positive thing. So often on these threads it's not actually about the kids, it's about adults not being able to cope with their own disappointment or deviate from their usual way of doing things.

Washimal · 26/10/2020 08:03

My DC love trick or treating too, but I've explained it's not happening this year and they understand the reasons why. Instead, I'm doing a Halloween Hunt, like an Easter egg hunt but with Halloween themed treats hidden in the house and garden for them to find. They'll still dress up, we'll watch a spooky film and I'm doing 'party food' for tea. The kids are really excited about it because the adults have presented it as a fun, positive thing. So often on these threads it's not actually about the kids, it's about adults not being able to cope with their own disappointment or deviate from their usual way of doing things.

ohhwoooooooooooooo · 26/10/2020 08:03

@hellywelly3 I asked what tier I was in, but now I know it doesn't have any further restrictions than before.

DieCryHate · 26/10/2020 08:04

Our local police force has just published some tips on how to trick or treat safely. It does include don't go to houses you don't know to knock. Lots of pleased parents saying how their children have suffered so much and they won't be in any danger and will be going out anyway.

It's a shame the commenters haven't thought about it from the people on the other side of the door's perspective. One poor lady did comment saying two of her family members, including a child, had died so hoped people wouldn't go. This was met with a stupid speak no evil monkey emoji that the responder probably thought means giggling.

WouldBeGood · 26/10/2020 08:04

@ChalkDinosaur

Also - even if I was asymptomatic... I'll sanitise my hands, open the bag of lollies and stick them in the pumpkin. I'm not planning to lick them first.
I might be tempted if there’s chocolate 😂
WouldBeGood · 26/10/2020 08:06

All these wholesome idea for garden hunts and parties at home are pretty crap for only children or people with no garden.

I can only imagine my son’s delight at the prospect of a Halloween party with his mother 😂

JamminDoughnuts · 26/10/2020 08:08

yabu
i understand you can put a lit pumpkin out but the parents provide the sweets.

ohhwoooooooooooooo · 26/10/2020 08:09

Around here people only know if you have decorations outside. So don't decorate if you don't want visitors. I'm sure there will be less houses doing it, but I will be because honestly kids do need a little fun and I agree no one wants a Halloween party with just their mother 🎃

WouldBeGood · 26/10/2020 08:09

To my mind a lit pumpkin sounds much more dangerous than the risk of transmitting Covid

ohhwoooooooooooooo · 26/10/2020 08:10

@WouldBeGood battery tea lights .. life is so dangerous isn't it ?!

JamminDoughnuts · 26/10/2020 08:10

@WouldBeGood

To my mind a lit pumpkin sounds much more dangerous than the risk of transmitting Covid
but that is the norm surely? Confused
OverTheRubicon · 26/10/2020 08:12

Yabu. Schools have specifically asked parents and others not to do this. You probably won't make a child sick even if they do catch it from congregating around the wall or (agree, small chance) from a wrapper, but their parent or carer or teacher could get very ill and you could also contribute to an isolation, a shutdown of a school bubble etc.

I'm fully planning on dressing up at home and on decorating but with a spooky 'quarantine do not enter' sign on the front and a a 'see you next year' below it.

CornwallCorn · 26/10/2020 08:12

We are just doing it with a few of the children in DC’s school bubble, so like a prearranged route.

Twinkie84 · 26/10/2020 08:12

I left sweets out last year as we were out tricking or treating ourselves. The first bunch of children took the whole lot (found this out from the ring door bell footage!). Adults were with them too; and didn't say a thing Hmm

Due to this; I won't now leave sweets out again! One set of greedy children ruined it for everyone else!

We are doing a treasure hunt at home for our DSs to enjoy themselves. No trick or treating this year for us

OreoCookieMonster · 26/10/2020 08:14

@WouldBeGood, that's a very good point actually.

OreoCookieMonster · 26/10/2020 08:16

@WouldBeGood, I meant this point....

*All these wholesome idea for garden hunts and parties at home are pretty crap for only children or people with no garden.

I can only imagine my son’s delight at the prospect of a Halloween party with his mother*

Not the point about pumpkins.

JamminDoughnuts · 26/10/2020 08:18

dont put sweets out!
do the pumpkin trail

Tiredmum100 · 26/10/2020 08:19

I live in Wales, so obviously we're in lockdown here. I'm not putting sweets out or answering the door. It doesn't seem worth the risk, giving sweets to children that could potentially spread covid.