To think that it is cruel not to allow your children to go trick or treating?

[treatortrick]

And mean not to open the door to trick or treaters?

Friend has told her children that they cannot go trick or treating as it is begging.

She has also said she will not be opening the door to anyone who comes calling.

Her children are missing out and IMO this is cruel.

I see your point rimmer, and maybe if there were some traditions around St George's Day, people would celebrate it. But telling people to celebrate a day without any suggestion as to to how isn't going to make for much of a party. Halloween has dressing up and sweeties, plus going out after dark - great fun for kids. What has St George's Day got?

well you know Rimmer, you can celebrate St georges Day if you want- I always did with my rainbows etc when I lived in England, we now aprticipate fully in St david's day instead as that is huge here in comparitson (we've got a mixed heritage, we'll take whatever Saint offers more fun)

But there's no either- or here.The more celebrations / feasts / p[arties the better IMVHO

When I was a kid we celebrated Halloween with parties. Fancy dress - bobbing for apples and all that but nobody had every even heard of trick or treat.

I am pretty sure it has only caught on in the last 20 years when people have seen it done on American TV programmes or films.

Now where I came from we had MISCHIEF NIGHT on 4th November. Kind of like trick or treat but without the option of buying youself of with sweetes, i.e. people just went round after dark playing tricks on their neghbours.

Hee hee MUCH more fun

rimmer, do some research

5foot5, would but that was true, I was TorT'ing in Somerset by age ten- so 26 years ago at least. I do think I was first generation, but you know- some of the kids I went to school with are Grandparents now.

I went trick or treating as a child, and that was 30 years ago! I don't think that it is an American import. It is not really any different from Wassailing, or soul caking, pace-egging or mummers. All of these involve people going door to door for treats, often in costume, and are very old, English traditions.

As opposed to saint George's day, which has no customs associated with it, so it no fun to celebrate.

...I think it's not the end of the world provided the kids do other fun things.

...what if she or someone she knew had a bad experience she doesn't want to let anyone in on?

Just adding my 2p-

a) I went "guising" as we call trick or treating in Scotland in the 80's. My older brother did so in the 70's. It's not a new thing, guising has been around since the middle ages, check the wiki article I linked to above if you don't believe me.

b) It has become Americanized, but so has everything else. It's called globalisation, and if you don't like it then start by boycotting Starbucks, not looking down your noses at kids who are just excited about a fun holiday.

c) It's not begging, what a disgusting snobbish attitude.

d) It is a pagan holiday, but so is Christmas (Winter Solstice), and Easter (AKA Ostara), but I don't see anyone boycotting those holidays.

it's begging.
older kids round here ask for money with menaces.
it's disturbing peoples peace and quiet.
i don't open my door either.
dd2 went to a party at a friends house but did not and will not ever knock on peoples doors begging (not with my knowledge anyway)

YABVVVU

My doorbell rang last night whilst I was bathing 2yo ds, only the two of us were at home so obviously I was unable to answer the door.

Went out this morning to discover an exploded bag of dog shit all over the front of the house. My neighbour receved the same treatment, he was out at the time.

And I live in a so-called 'nice area'. I loathe halloween.

received

I got so peed off with T+t this year that I put a polite sign on the door saying a family member was ill and I had small children who were trying to sleep.This was after opening the door ten times before 6pm and distributing sweets/biscits.Find it really annoying and have refused to let ds do it.Bah Humbug!

A few years ago when my kids were younger I took them to Covent Garden for a St George's Day Festival. Which was horrible and menacing and completely swamped with thuggish BNP activists. That's why, Rimmer.

Oh and YABU btw.

I think YANBU, by the way.

YABU

Well I told dd1 that she couldn't go 'begging' round peoples doors.

We had a halloween party instead. Lots of sweets, cakes, fizzy drinks etc, games, music and fireworks. I don't think I am cruel. But my dc will never be taken trick or treating by me.

Parties? They can have as many of those as they want.

We had some lovelt trick or treaters come round between 6.30 and 7.30 when we went out to friends.
We left a tray on the door step with sweets, mini chocolate bars, rubbers, and other bit and bobs on it and when we came back at 3am there were still one or two things on it, all our pumpkins and other decorations were intact, and while we were at out friends (in the next street) only 2 groups knocked after 8.30.

It's not cruel as such not to go but my 2 go and it's not begging. What's the gripe giving out a few penny sweets? What does your friend think of genuine beggars in need?

"you should always wait to be offered something, rather than ask for it"

But if you are abiding by the Pumpkin Rule, the treats are being offered.

Yawn, is this thread still going. Let's start a thread saying that Father Christmas is a pervert.

dont be trite fanny - people evidently dont like hallow een