Anyone else not putting up Halloween decorations this year or participating in trick or treating?

[thegrinxh]

I was talking to a neighbour down the road and he seemed surprised when I mentioned that I won't be decorating the front of my house for Halloween this year/ participating in trick or treating.

None of the other neighbours on the estate say hello or are friendly and I have had issues with kids throwing footballs at my car and fence etc.

I don't really want to be spending money for other peoples kids on sweets and decorations.

My own kids are way too young to participate anyway.

My neighbour said "Oh well I think your house will be the only one not celebrating and people may get even more funny with you".

AIBU to lot went to participate or is this the norm if you have kids/ live in area with a lot of kids?

I live in the UK.aibu

Nope. I don't share sweets :-) I shut the blinds and don't answer the door.

people may get even more funny with you

What's the backstory here?

I have never done it. I hate Halloween.

For me it depends on whether or not in a few years time your kids will be knocking on doors.

I live in a block of flats and none of the kids here do Halloween it’s not in their culture. I’ve been here two years and not had one knock at my door. I celebrate Halloween in my own way and just watch horror films and play horror video games.

We didn’t do much when our kids were really little (or before kids) but now every year we decorate more and more. My children and 9 and 12 and we really appreciate everyone who makes an effort so we really try to as well. Even my usually quite miserable husband will put on a scary mask to answer the door.

My children’s favourite memory was having our elderly neighbour (she’s in her 90s) answer the door in her pink housecoat and a scream mask.

You don't have to participate, but it would be poor form to then expect to take your own children trick or treating in your neighbourhood in a couple of years IMO

Well basically I had an issue with kids playing on my driveway despite being asked kindly not to.

They would kick footballs on my car/ fence (not on purpose).

Rise their scooter up and down on my drive.

I understand the rule of the thumb is if your house isn't decorated then it means you are not participating?

We are moving in December.

By all means but then your own children can’t trick or treat on your street when they get older

As long as you wouldn't take your kids out in a few years then sure - it's not obligatory! Keep the front lights off and don't put out a pumpkin or decorations or anything and no one should bother you.

My kids love the chaos so we go all in on it and appreciate when others do as well, but they always knew plenty of people preferred to be left alone!

I actually love Halloween!

Last year I went all out, went a got loads of different sweets, chocolates and made little gift bags etc.

Answered the door in a scary mask and costume and decorated the house.

I just feel if people are funny with me over not wanting their kids playing/ damaging my drive then why bother?

We are moving in December and would rather save that money.

I would say of course he seemed surprised

Its AUGUST!!!

Start worrring about these things in mid October

I have never decorated my house for Hallowe’en, have only ever opened the door once to trick or treaters, and never let my daughter go trick or treating. When I was young, I don’t remember hallowe’en ever being celebrated in the south, and always thought it was an American thing. The first time we ever had trick or treaters call was in the mid 1980s, and I misunderstood how things worked. I thought it was for the person who’s door had been knocked to decide whether to trick or treat so when I answered the door I said ‘trick’ and squirted the boys with a water pistol 😆😆😆

In our street it's probably about 30% participating and 70% not participating. We don't - I'd love to decorate but I understand that decorating means accepting guisers and I can't be bothered with that.
I do have a whole box of moulted tarantula skins and part of me has always wanted to thread them on a string and make the best halloween bunting ever...but that'd definitely scare folk away! 😂

Mine are too old for guising this year but we will put a neep lantern out and have sweeties for the guisers.

It's up to you. I love the kids calling, all so cute and excited in their costumes. I like to feel part of my community. I'm delighted to buy some treats for local kids. But you do what suits you.

Around here Halloween decorations are put up mid September.

I don't really feel part of the community so don't really want the bother of buying decorations, sweets etc

September????

Yes what else is going on

All the Halloween tat is in the shops already 😢

I wanted to buy a hand trowel but the seasonal aisle no longer contains any thing gardening related

I love the fact that other people decorate because it shows families which houses trick or treaters are welcome at, but I never do.

I used to move into the back of the house and turn the lights off, but I don't need to now, as they don't knock here.

Why did you bring it up even? It's not for another 10 weeks. I can't imagine dropping that into conversation.

Oh wow we've started this one early this year. I'll kick us off with the classics
Eww AMERICAN 🤮!!!?
Begging!!!
Plastic tat!!

It’s August ffs. Hasn’t even crossed my mind yet .