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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anyone here not answering door today

293 replies

Auburngal · 31/10/2024 06:39

I am going to switch off doorbell late afternoon. I have never done trick or treating as a child nor gave sweets to kids.

I just don't want my evening to be disturbed by the constant ringing of my doorbell. First few years of living at my home didn't get anyone as its a newbuild and people didn't know to go to the doors, you walk around the back of the block of flats and maisonettes.

Wonder how many people with Ring or similar doorbells will tell the kids and chavs to go away, politely or rudely?

OP posts:
DilemmaDelilah · 31/10/2024 06:41

Our area has a sort of rule that you don't knock on doors/ring bells of houses that aren't decorated or have pumpkins outside. There have been newcomers who have asked the 'rules' of the area on our local Facebook page. It seems to work.

MumChp · 31/10/2024 06:43

Yes. I go to bed to rest before a night shift. Couldn't care less.

Hoardasurass · 31/10/2024 06:43

I'm not doing it this year. Ds has been to old to go out trick or treating for a few years now and we've still answered the door but not this year we're finally done now

Autumn38 · 31/10/2024 06:45

Nope will be getting the sweets ready and making sure the decorations are all sorted.

I love having little ones stop by in their costumes. It’s so cute! Think I might dress up too, get into the spirit 🥰

my parents will do it too and they are in their 70s but they have an amazing home that they decorate beautifully, they are amazing hosts and are brilliant fun! I REALLY hope I’m like them when I’m in my 70s ☺️

TheWonderhorse · 31/10/2024 06:46

Why not just leave a tub of sweets outside? We do when we're going out.

Hoardasurass · 31/10/2024 06:47

TheWonderhorse · 31/10/2024 06:46

Why not just leave a tub of sweets outside? We do when we're going out.

Round here the 1st lot of teens passing would empty it

MumChp · 31/10/2024 06:50

TheWonderhorse · 31/10/2024 06:46

Why not just leave a tub of sweets outside? We do when we're going out.

Teenagers will grab it before you close the door.
And tbh I don't owe random kids sweets.

Futurethinking2026 · 31/10/2024 06:52

TheWonderhorse · 31/10/2024 06:46

Why not just leave a tub of sweets outside? We do when we're going out.

We did this once and a group of teenagers came and took the lot.

WillowTit · 31/10/2024 06:53

i doubt they will come as we have not decorated the house

BilboBlaggin · 31/10/2024 06:53

I never allowed my two DC (now early 20s) to go trick or treating as I always saw it as glorified begging. They were allowed to dress up and go and knock on their grandparents door and that was it. I tried to engage in other ways. We'd carve pumpkins and put them on the doorstep for others to knock on our door but then we'd get all the older teenagers (and I personally think if anyone then it's little kids who should be doing TorT) who would try and grab everything you offered, and they'd barely make any effort with a costume. Then one year we didn't answer the door quickly enough and found one of the kids pumpkins, which they'd spent ages on carving a face, broken and upturned on my DH work van! That was the end of it for us. Now we turn the lights off, no decorations out front, and keep to ourselves. I have a little dog who barks like mad when the doorbell goes anyway, so I'm hoping no one knocks tonight.

Futurethinking2026 · 31/10/2024 06:53

We’re not this year because it drives the rescue dog insane everytime the door bell or front door goes.

We have a bit of an unwritten rule around here that you only knock on the decorated houses. Seems to work pretty well.

MermaidMummy06 · 31/10/2024 06:57

I've already had one lot (it's almost 5pm). Serves me right for leaving the front door open. I sent them away. We have no decorations out.

I'm not into it. I refuse to take DC trick or treating. I feel bad, but can't bring myself to knock on people's doors. I do enough.

TeenToTwenties · 31/10/2024 07:01

In theory:

If you don't decorate no one should ring anyway.
If they do, then either don't answer or open and politely enforce the rule.

In practice I guess it depends what type of area you are in.

Blondeshavemorefun · 31/10/2024 07:05

No pumpkin /decorations surely no one will knock on the door

Sirzy · 31/10/2024 07:06

I’m not a fan of Halloween but will smile and join in at work today (primary school)

DS hates all things Halloween and just the word can have him close to meltdown so we avoid it at all costs. When we get in tonight the doors will be locked and I hope everyone will respect the no decorations no knocking rule (they generally do locally)

Original poster
Auburngal · 31/10/2024 07:13

From experiences of myself, parents and friends who live in the same town as me. Parents with kids go to properties with decorations or just a jack o lantern on the doorstep.

Chav teens not dressed up at all, ignore the rule and demand money, not sweets.

It's the latter group that annoy me.

OP posts:
MerryMidwinter · 31/10/2024 07:13

Wow what a cheerful thread! My DD used to love trick or treating when she was younger, it’s harmless fun (grabby teens aside) but it’s not hard to avoid if you’re not interested.

Jazzjazzyjulez · 31/10/2024 07:19

We will be taking part. We usually take my daughter out for about 30 mins and leave sweets on the porch. It have never been emptied and there is usually a couple of bags left by the time we come back. Once we are back, we will refill the bowl and usually get a few more kids. No bad behaviour or rowdy teens emptying bowls. Even at other houses we go to, everyone is respectful of sweets left out and just takes one!

Overthebow · 31/10/2024 07:19

Round here people only come if you’ve got a pumpkin or other decorations up. But most houses do join in, there’s a great community feel and it’s so lovely to see so many joining in and having fun. I’ll be taking my Dc tonight and will also be leaving sweets out for others. I love my village it’s so friendly.

DustyLee123 · 31/10/2024 07:21

This is the first year that I won’t be doing it.
Im not a fan of T or T anymore. Encouraging kids to knock on strangers doors and ask for sweets doesn’t sit well with me any more.

Chicooo · 31/10/2024 07:22

Round here only decorated houses get knocked at.

We've a full graveyard in the front garden and will have spooky music playing out the front (from 5pm-7pm)

Can't imagine we'll have any sweets left by then but lights etc will be off before 8pm so we're not disturbing anyone's sleep.

Overtheatlantic · 31/10/2024 07:26

I will put out a pumpkin and hand out candy. We do it every year because we love seeing the children dressed up and being reminded to say thank you. My niece is going as Pebbles from the Flintstones. 🥰

Landlubber2019 · 31/10/2024 07:33

I did love it previously, living on a small estate it had a great feeling about it. Now though kids are driven in and parents walk their kids to the houses to get more sweets than they know what to do with.....

It's lost it's appeal and just feels grabby and greedy as kids vie to collect the most and we don't see either the kids or the adults ever again!

Humphreyshead · 31/10/2024 07:36

BilboBlaggin · 31/10/2024 06:53

I never allowed my two DC (now early 20s) to go trick or treating as I always saw it as glorified begging. They were allowed to dress up and go and knock on their grandparents door and that was it. I tried to engage in other ways. We'd carve pumpkins and put them on the doorstep for others to knock on our door but then we'd get all the older teenagers (and I personally think if anyone then it's little kids who should be doing TorT) who would try and grab everything you offered, and they'd barely make any effort with a costume. Then one year we didn't answer the door quickly enough and found one of the kids pumpkins, which they'd spent ages on carving a face, broken and upturned on my DH work van! That was the end of it for us. Now we turn the lights off, no decorations out front, and keep to ourselves. I have a little dog who barks like mad when the doorbell goes anyway, so I'm hoping no one knocks tonight.

How is it glorified begging if the one’s your asking are in on it too?

50shadedofmagnolia · 31/10/2024 07:37

The kids are amazing around he and only knock on those that have put a pumpkin out x
When I've had enough an want to settle down for the evening i just bring the pumpkin in and peace is restored 😂