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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:
Redwinestillfine · 26/10/2020 08:21

Kids should not be trick or treating this year whatever tier you are in and leaving a bowl of sweets for multiple hands to grab and then put into their mouths in a pandemic? Halloween Hmm

Mellonsprite · 26/10/2020 08:22

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

It’s how you pitch it to the kids, there’s loads of good ideas for alternatives on here.
we’re doing a sweet hunt inside, with torches, carve a pumpkin, Halloween film and still doing face paints but inside. My dd is very happy with this, and I’ve pitched as an alternative to the usual party and any trick or treating.

lockdownconfused · 26/10/2020 08:24

I've told mine we won't be doing it. We planned a spooky movie with home made treats and as we are now in lockdown in wales and have been told it's not allowed anyway. I won't be opening the door or leaving sweets outside.

whenwillthemadnessend · 26/10/2020 08:27

We are doing a walk and kids spot the pumpkins then they can claim sweets from the local school pta. If not parents could give the children the prizes.

No knocking on doors and no bowls out.

It's a great idea.

WouldBeGood · 26/10/2020 08:32

My pumpkin fire risk point was tongue in cheek 😳

diamondpony80 · 26/10/2020 08:34

Trick or treating is a big thing in our area and although we've been advised against it, they haven't told us not to go ahead. So I'm pretty sure a lot of kids in our area will still be doing it.

Personally my family won't be this year and we also won't be opening the door to anyone who calls. We're just having our own party and will do some Halloween baking with DD to make up for it. I know it's not the same but nothing has been normal this year.

JamminDoughnuts · 26/10/2020 08:35

@WouldBeGood

My pumpkin fire risk point was tongue in cheek 😳
Grin i was a bit thrown
CornwallCorn · 26/10/2020 09:31

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

wink1970 · 26/10/2020 10:02

Thanks for starting this thread, as I was wondering what to do. I don't have children, but I am well known for having a big bag of goodies and making a fuss on Hallowe'en so I get lots of visitors normally.

I think I will put the bowl on the doorstep and ask them to knock on the window so I can enthuse about their outfits through the glass.

OverTheRubicon · 26/10/2020 12:01

@WouldBeGood

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 😂

You can still do a walk around to see the decorations, if you're in tier 2 you can catch up with friends in a park, or in tier 1 in your own place. It's how you spin it. Personally I'd rather not raise numbers for Halloween and screw up Christmas.
nosswith · 26/10/2020 12:04

Please don't encourage anyone to go trick or treating on Saturday. I can imagine some people will be aggressive and unpleasant if anyone calls at their door, as they do not want to catch Covid 19.

The point about not spreading the virus now to avoid restrictions around Christmas is well made.

WouldBeGood · 26/10/2020 12:17

I’m not doing anything except decorating by house.

My point is that children getting sweets is highly unlikely to spread Covid.

Christmas will be cancelled next.

WouldBeGood · 26/10/2020 12:17

In fact, in Scotland we’ve been told that

Boulshired · 26/10/2020 12:28

My street has organised a clap the ghouls, we all have drives so early evening the children can come out and show their costumes. Sweet provided by their own parents.

londonscalling · 26/10/2020 14:26

@user1473878824

I really don’t get this idea that not going trick or treating for ONE year is going to damage children so much that they absolutely MUST do it. Do something fun at home? I don’t understand how you don’t “get” the problem with strangers coming to your door in the middle of a pandemic.

👆

Exactly this!

alfreds · 26/10/2020 17:13

We usually love Halloween but as we are in a high risk area and in lockdown (Wales) we won't be trick or treating this year or handing out sweets.

I think it's quite irresponsible to encourage it tbh. It's not the transmission through sweet wrappers that would concern me but the groups that will congregate together.

We are planning Halloween games, the kids can still dress up, Halloween films and lots of sweets and treats.

GrumblyMumblyisnotJumbly · 26/10/2020 17:59

@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.
But what about numerous kids hands rummaging around? Or do you plan to leave out hand sanitiser too?
GrumblyMumblyisnotJumbly · 26/10/2020 18:08

@Mellonsprite

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

It’s how you pitch it to the kids, there’s loads of good ideas for alternatives on here.
we’re doing a sweet hunt inside, with torches, carve a pumpkin, Halloween film and still doing face paints but inside. My dd is very happy with this, and I’ve pitched as an alternative to the usual party and any trick or treating.

I agree - trick or treating & going round random houses in the rain to get sweets is not the only thing you can do on Halloween!

I'm looking forward to apple bobbing at home. Also I'd forgotten about this until I saw it somewhere today but tie up a ring doughnut on a piece of string and try and eat it without your hands. Make spooky food together - loads of ideas online. Spooky soundtrack - monster mash etc.

WouldBeGood · 26/10/2020 19:53

No matter how you pitch things to kids some things are clearly shit

WouldBeGood · 26/10/2020 19:54

Those things are fun for kids with other kids, not with their ancient mother

Mellonsprite · 26/10/2020 20:54

Those things are fun for kids with other kids, not with their ancient mother

😂, speak for yourself on the point of being ancient.
The way I see it, normal trick or treating isn’t happening this year, so let’s look at what can we do instead. This way the kids still get some sweets So they’re happy.

GrumblyMumblyisnotJumbly · 26/10/2020 21:23

WouldBeGood No matter how you pitch things to kids some things are clearly shit

@WouldBeGood If they are old enough to think those things are shit then they are probably too old to be going trick or treating anyway. Most young kids would be happy getting sweets at home or elsewhere!
Are you in an area that has restricted the rule of 6 otherwise your DC could meet up with a friend?

GladAllOver · 26/10/2020 21:51

With a bit of luck this stupid American custom will be abandoned this year and it will be forgotten about it the future.
But that is just too much to hope for.

WouldBeGood · 26/10/2020 22:08

@GladAllOver ain’t you the little ray of sunshine

JamminDoughnuts · 27/10/2020 06:51

it has its origins in Ireland