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No Trick or Treat signs?

(91 Posts)
Nonnie Wed 24-Oct-18 11:21:22

Our local police have produced a No Trick or Treat card which they suggest we download and put in our window to discourage this practice if we wish to. I think it is sending out the wrong message, telling children that it is OK to knock on the doors of people they don't know unless they have expressly said not to.

Surely we should be telling children they should only knock on the doors of houses where there is a pumpkin or other sign of participation?

Is this another sign that children should be encouraged to think they have rights where they don't or am I being a killjoy?

sluttygran Thu 01-Nov-18 20:18:09

My DD takes a group of tinies around the village, all dressed up in their costumes, but when they knock on the doors of elderly folk, they give them a little treat instead of asking for one.
The people they visit enjoy meeting the little ones and having a few minutes company. Some of them joined in the walk last night.
Naturally there is no shortage of sweeties, fruit and cocoa at the end of the walk!

GrandmaMoira Wed 31-Oct-18 19:50:24

Paddyann - this is the first I've heard of doing a turn or singing a song when trick or treating. The children here never do that. It does worry me that some children go out without an adult knocking on strangers doors. It also scares me when I've had big kids asking for money. Putting a pumpkin out was new to me last year and not having one does seem to have cut down on the numbers knocking here.

Jalima1108 Wed 31-Oct-18 19:23:34

I did display a lit pumpkin and just had a group of very nice polite children knocking on the door; I think I screamed suitably loudly and gave them some sweets and apples.

Luckygirl Wed 31-Oct-18 16:00:59

I have never "celebrated" hallowe'en and neither did my children. And no-one knocks round here - so it has all rather passed me by!

ExaltedWombat Wed 31-Oct-18 12:40:23

Indeed. Displaying a pumpkin is apparently yje sign that you ARE taking part. Massive own-goal.

Jalima1108 Tue 30-Oct-18 19:16:08

I haven't carved my pumpkin so I may have to roast it instead blush

TerriBull Tue 30-Oct-18 19:07:26

I certainly don't remember any trick or treating when I was growing up, it just wasn't celebrated although I believe the Americans appropriated it from days of old England. We were in America at Halloween one year, it's such a big thing over there. I remember we were in shopping mall and young children were getting goodies from some of the shops, it was all pretty organised. My kids were young at the time and went quite slack jawed when they saw how much these American youngsters were amassing.

I do remember my brother and I, and various friends, making a "guy" and wheeling that around in an old pushchair and accosting strangers with "penny for the guy" thing which of course was begging. I don't think at the time I was aware of the historical significance of the 5th November, pretty horrible really particularly as we were Catholics shock

The children who knock at the door for Halloween around here, tend to be quite young and have adults with them. Invariably if I buy sweets, no one knocks, and if I forget, then they do. I don't think there will be too many out tomorrow, cold and wet I gather.

PECS Tue 30-Oct-18 18:47:31

Tonight my 3 younger DGCs carved pumpkins and we bobbed for apples. Little one got hilariously wet but he did not see the funny side as much as the rest of usgrin
We had eyeballs in green slime for pudding with worms in mud. They will dress up tomorrow and go out to visit friends houses to show off their costumes! 13yr old is going out with 6 other friends but they know to only go to homes they know & that have decorations! They will probably end up here! I might need to make more worms in mud or babies in poo! (Chocolate Brownie with jelly worms /babies baked into it)

ninathenana Tue 30-Oct-18 18:34:25

I haven't seen a single decorated house near me.

lemongrove Mon 29-Oct-18 08:51:43

Truck? Trick grin

lemongrove Mon 29-Oct-18 08:50:58

Only heard the goose is getting fat used as a Christmas rhyme too Inish
Have never had any truck or treat callers here, we are hidden away but DD who lives a ten min walk away has children calling for hours.She puts out lots of decs and is happy to hand out sweeties all night.The children are all polite and good natured.?

Senectus Mon 29-Oct-18 08:23:26

BlueBelle - you could have phrased this a little better ...

Tweedle24 Sun 28-Oct-18 20:59:03

There are only two houses tucked away here. When my next door neighbours’ boy was small, his mum used to “book an appointment” so that I knew what time to expect them (mum came too). Other children have never yet come as it involves walking down a dark lane.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Sun 28-Oct-18 16:47:27

I get your meaning but I'm only too grateful to have a card to put in the window to deter any potential nastiness which we are led to believe is likely by nasty stories in the papers.
Touch wood I've not witnessed either.

Nonnie Sun 28-Oct-18 16:23:34

inish isn't that a Christmas rhyme? Think goose getting fat is nothing to do with Halloween but I suppose it is fine to hijack it.

inishowen Sun 28-Oct-18 15:43:58

The rhyme we used as kids.

Halloween is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny a halfpenny will do, if you haven't got a halfpenny, God bless you!

As I said before, my dad didn't allow me to go to people's houses, but I would follow my friends around.

Tabbycat Sun 28-Oct-18 14:12:01

I wonder where she got that one from? hmm

Jayelld Sun 28-Oct-18 13:15:04

We have had a poster delivered that says "no callers" on one side and "please call" òn the other side. I'll display the "no callers".

On a lighter note my two GDs were discussing costumes and the 7 year old states very seriously,
"I don't like Halloween. I'm a good Catholic girl". She couldnt understand why her parents and I laughed.

Tabbycat Sun 28-Oct-18 13:10:50

I first came across Hallow'een or All Hallows Eve in Northern Ireland when we moved there in the 1960s. Bonfire Night wasn't celebrated really. I was in the Brownies and we all made turnip lanterns with a little tealight candle in the bottom and a string handle so we could carry it to the pack meeting. I dressed up as a cat in a black polo neck and thick black tights - my mother made me a tail out of a black stocking stuffed with paper and cardboard ears attached to a headband; then drew cat's whiskers on my face with eyeliner. We played games like bobbing for apples and there was a prize for the best lantern. Then we went outside and a bonfire was lit and a few fireworks were let off - to scare away the evil spirits apparently! Great fun!
However, I agree with you Lancslass 1 what we have now is just a commercialised import from the USA. The supermarkets are full of ghastly costumes, plastic and real pumpkins, expensive carving kits, decorations etc. etc.
I also worry about the gangs of older kids who go round demanding money with menances! Elderly people can get quite anxious when confronted by such a group threatening to trash their house if they are not given money.

EllanVannin Sun 28-Oct-18 12:55:39

It'll be " penny for the guy " soon ! Now this is a time I don't relish and stay firmly indoors with my cats.

WildRoses Sun 28-Oct-18 12:43:22

I take my daughter and her friend. The rule is, no decorations, no go.

EllanVannin Sun 28-Oct-18 12:35:50

Wouldn't mind a slice of that Persistentdonor.
I've got a piece of beef for my dinner today. Hope it isn't tough ! You could sole your shoes with some of it.

Persistentdonor Sun 28-Oct-18 12:10:53

I concur with much of what has been said, but while on the subject I thought you might enjoy the "beef wellington" my son and his daughter prepared for their dinner yesterday. smile

Magrithea Sun 28-Oct-18 12:02:18

Can't stand Halloween in its current form! When we lived in Hong Kong the strong US influence introduced us to the concept of trick or treat but mainly it was children being brought round by the Filipina domestic help and holding up a bag for goodies!! One night, when we lived in a large apartment complex, a little lad of about 7 rang our bell and stood there holding up his goodie bag!

Where we live now we are in a small community, no young children and our house is a bit spooky to get to! So no trick or treaters!!

Jalima1108 Sun 28-Oct-18 11:36:31

I spoke to DGD2 on the phone today - she asked me if I'd got my Hallowe'en decorations up yet
shock
Oh dear, no, I haven't.