Hallowe'en '12

[wjp666]

So... anyone get any trick-or-treaters? Despite the weather they were out in full force here. In recent years I've noticed the 'thuggish' ones seems to have all disappeared and now we're just left with groups of excitable kids just out for innocent fun, the way it should be. No vandalism at all this year. Has this country finally grasped the idea of Hallowe'en without turning it into a permit for antisocial behaviour? I'd like to think so.

[oldspice]

I was painting my kitchen on Wednesday (and yesterday!) and the door bell and knocker went quite a few times when I was up the ladder. I just ignored it. I don't really 'do' halloween. I do feel a bit mean sometimes, and I would not begrudge small children a few sweets, but I have had a few objectionable experiences in recent years.  I think it's a good idea for parents to agree in advance who they will call on and agree a special type of knock (or text you when they're on their way) so you only answer the door to 'deserving' cases! 

[wjp666]

Yeah, we only hit houses that we know and have told them we'd be calling in advance. Nowadays people displaying a pumkin outside or in the window are generally accepted as being welcoming to trick or treaters, and it was nice to see quite a fair few houses doing this locally this year. We had a big party in our place for the local kiddies. It's all good, harmless, spooky fun until a group of teenagers decipher the point of Hallowe'en to mean legal robbery/vandalism. I for one love Hallowe'en.

[goldencup]

I had exactly the same experience as you wjp - lots of little kids (with adults standing by) knocking on the door, who seemed delighted with my offerings of cheap treats from Aldi!.   I always have a pumpkin light in the window and enjoy seeing everyone dressed up.  I went to three Halloween parties this year - as a witch, a skeleton and a black widow spider!  Not sure which was the more appropriate...

[wjp666]

Aw, that is good to hear. I've always been mad for Hallowe'en but as a kid nobody wanted to play along with me. Nice to see we've finally got the grasp of the fun meaning of it in this country, like the Yanks do (it's one thing they do get right.) It was just a generally nice atmosphere this year and the local paper the next day had zero reports of teenaged nastiness. Good stuff. Just bought a shed-load of fireworks for Monday night. Now if we can get through November the 5th without rockets being posted through letterboxes or poodles being strapped to cherry-bombs then I'll be a happy bunny.

Oh, and for my Hallowe'en party I wore my Jason Voorhees mask and my Freddy Krueger glove... bit of a personality crisis going on there, but it seemed to freak the little kiddies out regardless.

[loulou]

The trick or treaters were very disappointed i gave them toffee apples and haribo cos they just seemed to want the cash. Personally i would prefer the kids not to say trick or treat and i'd like them to carry a carved out turnip not a pumpkin.

[wjp666]

Cash? Oh dear. They are indeed missing the point. And yes to the carved root vegetable.

[GimmeTheSoddingChoc]

We didn't get any trick or treaters this year. Probably because they're all buried in my back garden after I murdered the little bastards!