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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:
Original poster
Auburngal · 31/10/2024 08:39

From the posters, half embrace the ToT'ers and the other half can't stand it and avoid the door.

OP posts:
TheWonderhorse · 31/10/2024 08:40

Simple note on the door, "please don't knock, it upsets the dog/ we're disabled and struggle to get to the door/we eat children for supper/we ran out of sweets"

I've seen all of those before.

greengreyblue · 31/10/2024 08:40

I will have some sweets. DDs now grown up and we always went locally when they were young and they loved it so it’s nice to give something back to the kids today.

QueSyrahSyrah · 31/10/2024 08:45

TheWonderhorse · 31/10/2024 08:40

Simple note on the door, "please don't knock, it upsets the dog/ we're disabled and struggle to get to the door/we eat children for supper/we ran out of sweets"

I've seen all of those before.

Not sure if they still do it but our local radio station used to have printables on their website saying either 'we are taking part' or 'we're not taking part' in a nice way. They also had copies printed and available to pick up in various community places that older folk might be in the weeks leading up to Halloween:

purplebeansprouts · 31/10/2024 08:45

Auburngal · 31/10/2024 08:38

It's either that or their homes get battered (pun) with eggs and flour which is awful to remove as experienced that at a previous address. Thank goodness its not in the summer.

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Appalling victim blaming going on there

Calliopespa · 31/10/2024 08:48

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 ☺️

We have a few local people who dress up and the children LOVE it! The trick is always on the trick or treaters as they give a little jump of horror when the door is actually opened by a witch etc.

piscofrisco · 31/10/2024 08:49

Me. I love Halloween as a rule. But our lovely dog fell suddenly very ill on Tuesday and I don't want him to be disturbed.

DanceMumTaxi · 31/10/2024 08:51

The idea that people should have to hide in the dark in their own home (as suggested by some) is just awful. No one should have to hide at home. I really wish people would only knock on decorates houses. I know this is the case in some areas, but not here.

Member984815 · 31/10/2024 08:52

I wish I had trick or treaters , I moved from a town to the countryside and I never have anyone , I loved the little ones coming Halloween has always been my favourite holiday since I was a child , I do have a family member who turns off the lights and won't open the door even though their own kids go out which I think is so mean spirited

BurntBroccoli · 31/10/2024 08:54

Yes though feel a bit sad as my kids are grown up now and don't live at home. Fond memories of doing the pumpkin and decorations.

Isobel201 · 31/10/2024 08:56

I moved into my current house 2 years ago, October 2022 I was surprised some people attempted to knock as the house had been unoccupied previously, but they must have seen my car in the driveway and thought they'll try. I don't take part with living on my own, and nobody tried last year, so I'm hoping it'll be the same this year.

wiesowarum · 31/10/2024 08:57

I've never particularly enjoyed answering my door to random folk and Halloween is no different.
According to at least half of MN that makes me some sort of nutter, however some folk forget that we're not all the same. 🫣

wiesowarum · 31/10/2024 08:59

TheWonderhorse · 31/10/2024 06:46

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

Or why can't folk just stop expecting random folk to give them sweets? 😵‍💫

Username1222 · 31/10/2024 08:59

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.

Agreed with you! Such misery’s here

wiesowarum · 31/10/2024 09:02

Toenailz · 31/10/2024 07:45

I've no kids and I still kit it out and buy sweets in for the kids.

Lets be honest it's a couple of hours or so, once a year. You can do what you want of course, but you're asking AIBU, so aye I think you are, and a bit of a tightarse.

If everyone done this, the tradition would die out.

That's your choice.
Others make different choices.

wiesowarum · 31/10/2024 09:08

Username1222 · 31/10/2024 08:59

Agreed with you! Such misery’s here

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Do people always have to think exactly like you, not to be labelled a 'misery'?

flumposie · 31/10/2024 09:12

I will answer the door until about 8pm ( or earlier if the sweets run out)then I will quickly remove decorations from my window.

weegiemum · 31/10/2024 09:14

My dc are now all adults and dd2 is having a Halloween party tomorrow night.

I'm disabled and can't get to the door easily so we have a blackboard we've used before ("please take a treat, Happy Halloween ") and a big bucket of sweeties. Here, the wee kids are coming round about 5 and the teens don't appear until about 7 so we hope that the wee kids get some treats!

lifebyfaith · 31/10/2024 09:14

I live in a flat and thankfully don't get anyone knocking...well not at Halloween anyway.

yeaitsmeagain · 31/10/2024 09:16

Lived in my house 20 years and never had a single trick or treater. So I'll be opening the door as normal to deliveries.

SlugLettuce · 31/10/2024 09:17

I’ll answer, I love seeing the costumes and my dc used to go around when they were younger so I like to return the favour. I decorate the front window and put a pumpkin out so littlies know to knock.

youaintmymother · 31/10/2024 09:17

YANBU to not get involved with Halloween activities if it's not your thing. Where we live, a lack of decorations indicates that the homeowners aren't taking part.

YABU to use the term "chav". It's widely accepted as an outdated pejorative so you should find another term to describe the young people in your community.

Nothatgingerpirate · 31/10/2024 09:17

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.

This.

Nothatgingerpirate · 31/10/2024 09:21

Hypermedi · 31/10/2024 07:51

Wow how miserable.

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Why?
Practical to say the least.
Definitely not untrue.

TheWonderhorse · 31/10/2024 09:22

wiesowarum · 31/10/2024 08:59

Or why can't folk just stop expecting random folk to give them sweets? 😵‍💫

Show quote history

I feel a bit sad for you. It's hardly a massive investment.