AIBU

Hello there MISBU

No I don't think you are being oversensitive at all. Some people are genuinely frightened by Halloween and would rather not have callers at all. Regardless of age, I think people should be sensitive to that, including the local police force.

And also, in terms of diversity, some don't want to take part for religious reasons i.e. they object to it.

To be fair in some areas the police force are very sensitive and wouldn't dream of sending out a round robin like this.

Round here the general rule is, if you want kids to call and want to take part, then people generally put a pumpkin in the window or similar. For houses without the kids (generally under 10 and always well supervised and well-behaved in my experience, avoid the houses where no such signal is present).

Also to be fair, when daughter was little even though we live in an area which is a bit rough around the edges, it surprised me what a lovely community based event it was and how much everyone enjoyed it. Many people liked the kids coming.

If you can spare the time I think the police would really appreciate any feedback you have to give and to express your views. Apart from anything else, if it is icy (which it is not today I believe) - some of us would probably worry about people slipping over, and some would not be able to keep their paths clear if they (we) have a disability and so on...or no one to help.

Once again, I totally appreciate your viewpoint. I shan't be taking part today, not because I object to the whole thing but daughter is not here and we have had a few issues with scam callers anyway so I appreciate the peace and quiet. Not being patronising, but well done for posting. In my experience in the past it is the whole of the community that needs to respect each other and the issues. I have noticed that some my neighbours have a sticker on the door saying 'if you are not invited...don't call' - with a police stamp on it. Might be worth asking about this too.

Kind of a shame really that junk and cold callers make people feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods - as there are so many lonely people out there - some I know really appreciate the kids calling as it can be joyful and grandmas and grandads rig up whole theatrical productions on their doorsteps which is fab. Maybe reminds them of their own childhood.

I was in a restaurant yesterday and saw a gran dressed as a pumpkin. Very brave and looked great. Home made costume.

Still, different strokes for different folks eh.
Have a nice evening anyway.

all best
Painting

I'm of the belief its begging too..
I share a path, block of flats, so I won't be sweeping it, nor will I be wasting money on sweets that may or may not trigger an allergic reaction!! Nor will I be answering my door!!
Apart from that I'm a really nice person ??

I'm another one who puts a poster in the window and Iocks my door, there's nothing more intimidating than a bunch of teenagers looking ghoulish. The last time I did it they even had the cheek to say they wanted money not sweets.

I already swept the leaves by the way, for the safety of the postman and any other visitors.

A couple of years ago my grandchildren were elsewhere and I wasn’t well so I didn’t carve a pumpkin. I was ready with sweets just in case but with the curtains pulled and no sign of Halloween I was left completely in peace. People seem to stick to the rules round us.

I don't mind giving out sweets,but would not be sweeping paths etc.,so if they think its too slippery then they have a choice to come up path or not to! Anyway i dont care as im not in, im in venice!

I dislike Trick or Treat - it's one of those US customs which should have stayed on the other side of the pond. If I clear any leaves from the driveway it'll be for my convenience, not theirs.
My warning poster is in the window and I don't decorate - I believe that it's advised that unlit houses are not to be visited by this 'tradition.' Touch wood, there's been no problems so far.

I can’t believe how cheeky that is! And to dare to mention allergies? That’s the parents responsibility!! Would we get sued if a child came on to our property of their own free will, threatened to trick us if we don’t hand over sweets and then have an allergic reaction to what they have been given for free? I will not expect people to think about allergies for my children later?! Perhaps I need to prepare a disclaimer for them to sign and put a notice up that the sweet basket may contain nuts! The world has gone completely mad.

I will have 3 boys here after school dressed up and ready for the fun. We usually dispense at least 100 wrapped sweets between dusk and 7pm when the youngest grandson goes to bed. Then we remove the pumpkin and the giant black spider on the white wall and the hanging skeleton, draw the curtains and it’s all over for the night. If anybody rings the bell after that we ignore them. It’s great fun as our three try to outdo the visiting kids in scariness. My daughter has made buns with piped spiderwebs for after fish and chips tea. We all enjoy the fun.

Ridiculous - and what a waste of police resources.

I thought that all children knew that you only knock on doors that have a pumpkin outside showing that the people inside the house are happy to participate.

loik look!

Uninvited visitors are not, as far as I know, covered by one's household insurance and I certainly won't be doing any prep for trick or treat, sweeping, lighting or sweeties.

I don't think YBU., Years gone by I used to make up little bags o assorted fruit, nuts, sweets, the them up & it all ready, most children by me have all grown up with children of their own, but they tend to go to organised Halloween parties these days rather than wander the streets, I used to hear of older kids stopping younger ones & confiscating their treats, hence I've stopped these past 5/6 years.
It's like everything, if a child comes to you with an allergy then an adult should be with them if they don't know what to have.
Anyway, I think it's too dodgy sending kids out these days, you don't know who's door they might knock on.
Tricia.

Last time we had trick or treaters to my house, they were the son and his friend of a friend of mine. Gave them some sweets and my friend's son looked disgusted and said "oh I was hoping for money!!!"
In my village we have an understanding that the children only go to your house if you are displaying a lit pumpkin.
Mind you, my son was never allowed to go trick or treating - I believe it's the next thing to begging ! As for taking care of the ones with allergies - sorry, but that's their parents responsibility !

I believe there are even different coloured pumpkins and halloween buckets to denote that the person has autism or allergies......

We dont participate any more. We did our bit when our son was small - not going out, as I told him that some people have to stay in to give out the treats!!

What a load of tosh.
The little monsters can take their chances ... I have some small treats in a bowl by the front door, there will be a pumpkin just outside and I'll leave the hall light on, but that is as far as I am prepared to go!

Where we used to live we had a lot of trouble with teenage trick or treaters. I liked one idea that was put forward....coat cooked brussels sprouts in chocolate and wrap in Ferrero Roche paper.

I don’t agree with trick or treating, so no, I won’t be making any preparations except to close my curtains and not open the door.

I have already eaten the ‘treats’ so the little treasures will get short shrift here

Are you in the UK?? What a cheek, I hate Halloween and won't be opening my door, not will I be sweeping my drive or lighting it for the cheeky buggers.

I actually enjoy the children coming and loik forward to it. But this would make me worry about accidents. So I shall have the front well lit. It is a bit of a cheek asking people to sweep up. Surely the message should have included instructions to parents to take care with their children.

I’ve got my little bag of treats all ready. But now I think I’ll just draw the curtains and pretend I’m not home, in case I get sued?

But aren't those sort of bossy instructions typical of authorities that we have to endure nowadays? The attitude seems to be that "you can't possibly know what to do for the best but we do so we'll tell you".
I've always found particularly risible the NHS leaflet which arrives in the autumn: winter is coming so you need to keep warm. Really? Give me strength!!!

It's supposed to be raining here this evening so hopefully it'll keep them at home....or perhaps I'm expected to put up a shelter on my drive?!

Goodness, seems unusual and no, I wouldn’t comply being a generally miserable soul.