To think you ONLY go trick or treating on the 31st?

[Balletdancemum]

(Not a thread about whether you do or don’t agree with trick or treating in general.)

I honestly cannot get my head around people going trick or treating early (unless it’s an organised event like the shops in town doing a Halloween trail which happen all over half term and is different!)

But people knocking on residential doors this weekend?! No chance!

Is this madness happening anywhere else in the UK?

Sorry yes Mother's Day etx does

But not things set in stone like Halloween

Where I grew up in West Yorkshire we didn't do anything for Halloween - 4th November was Mischief Night - tricks but none of that poncey treat stuff!

We would go and try and steal other people's bonfire wood, knock a door run, tying string to various things etc but mostly spent the time guarding our own bonfire and discussing what we could do and then chickening out!

@Merrilydancing .
Totally agree!
I live rurally - local farmer has a seasonal business selling pumpkins. Last year, and this year, I believe he's started growing them to feed sheep (instead of turnips) 🎃

Aye, we are 🤪, but in this instance it is actually a better idea than having it mid week.

Absolutely not! Only on 31st and where I am, you only knock on houses where it ‘signals’ people are participating- usually a lot up carved pumpkin/s at the front door. If there’s no ‘signal’ the unspoken rule is you don’t knock.

@Bluevelvetsofa I agree, but i do like putting a pumpkin/decorations out. i think it’s good that everyone can see who wants to be involved and who doesn’t.

I ignore them whatever day they turn up 😆

Well, living in the north of Scotland we've never been trick or treating, but we go guising on the 31st, regardless of the day. I've never had anyone come to our door early.

Tbh you could be right as I have to work core hours in the office on Tuesday as it’s month end…DH will have to be in charge of the sweets…

I hate the term ‘trick or treat’ it’s bloody Guising we don’t live in the US.

I’ve never heard the word guising. I’m 37, 30 years ago in my neck of the woods it was still trick or treating. I used to think it was treacle treating and said it wrong for years

@Ifyoulikealotofchocolateonyourbiscuit .
Think about it - Guising/Guiser. Disguise.
Also - you may not have been too far off the mark with your "treacle treating".
Usually would happen at an organised Hallowe'en party (think Brownies etc.)
A line of soda scones, dipped in black treacle, hung by a length of string - you had to put your hands behind behind your back, and try to get a bite of the scone. Great fun, delicious, but what a mess!

guising is still more common in Scotland due to its very long history and ime doing a turn while guising is still required. Don't do a turn and the weans get nothing here.

But don't think S.England has the same history and not sure what they did before the trick or treating concept (which has its roots in guising) was imported.

ds(19) is well aware of the Scottish traditions (even if we do it on the "wrong" day!) including dookin' for apples and the difficulty and likelyhood of severe injury from carving a turnip with a spoon 🤣. I've never had a pumpkin in my house!

I remember a few years ago we had a knock on the door around 6pm on Saturday night, 2 days before Halloween.

Twas a lady with little girl, said it was her GC and she (lady) thought she'd do Halloween early with her GC ......... I said No, not 31st yet, and hadn't even got the sweets in yet!

I felt sorry for the little girl, what a stupid idea! I doubt she was accomodated by anyone at all around here.

It being a school night doesn't make sense , they are usually not out after 7pm and they don't have much homework at that age.

Just found this thread by googling to see if I was being a grumpy arse! Just had trick or treaters turn up and sent them away to come back on Tuesday.

We live in one of those neighbourhoods where people travel into the area for Halloween and last year had over 200 kids in 90 minutes. People decorate BIG here (we've put our Dec's up today - they pointed out that they were up so they knocked).

On Tuesday we'll have our game faces on for trick or treat chaos but today I'm in my pj's!

It's not. It's one town

And other dates do move

we MASSIVELY love Halloween. but if anyone turns up on any other day, we tell them, it's not Halloween. come back when it is.