Halloween - what to do

Forget it . its not celebrating anything and is horrid and outdated now .

There is a Facebook page of over 70000 members working out how to do Halloween safely. This is their web site. www.artventurers.co.uk/the-big-neighbourhood-pumpkin-trail/
There are posters to print out asking children not to knock, scavenger hunt ideas, ideas on how others are putting out, or not putting out sweets, and posters for the window saying that you are taking part in the Pumpkin Trail.
It has been featured in various print media as well as on Radio 4 and the tv.

IMO it’s only become such a big thing in the U.K. generally (I gather it was always a tradition in Scotland) since the arrival of so much orange and black tat - largely plastic - in the shops. I’m sure it because of the consumerist element that it’s largely taken over from Bonfire Night.

Though having said that, my dds spent much of their late 1970s/most of 1980s) childhoods in the UAE, where there was certainly no Halloween tat in the shops, but most of the children on the big construction camp where we lived would go trick or treating (though with no tricks!). I had to make any outfits - I think there’s still a very basic witch’s dress somewhere, and I well remember concocting a broomstick out of sundry bits of tree.

I well remember that dds had no idea of ‘tricks’ - the elder wrote at school that she had gone ‘trickle treating’!

I find it difficult to believe that you are allowing yourself to be blackmailed by these little horrors - because that is what it is!

I have no time for a made up, imported, silly thing like this. When it all started I had eggs thrown at my front door because I refused to give them sweets (I would not give them to my own grandchildren, so why would I give them to someone elses?).

Unfortunately for the little monsters who did it, I knew where they lived and so I went round and reciprocated. The parents started to protest and then stopped when they realised what it was about. How did they know? One of the little horrors dropped thier mask and I took it, as well as 6 eggs, with me.

I haven't been bothered since.

Halloween chocolate lollipops is the answer! One each ??

hicaz46 I agree with you 100%

Fortunately we have very few children living in my road, so Halloween usually passes peacefully. I feel there is something rather disturbing about it so I have never gone along with trick or treat and my golden rule is never yo open the front door.

In N.Ireland we don't have Guy Fawkes, so fireworks are set off Halloween night. I close the blinds& curtains anyway cos the dog is so frightened of the noise. Not many kids where I live anyway, a lot retired, so probably won't be bothered too much anyway with them coming to the door.

I will do what I always do - ignore Halloween.

We've lived here over 30 yrs. We've never had any trick or treaters call.

Usually make a big deal of Halloween as we have a lot of young children around here and they make a real effort to dress up. The parents always come with them and it's a really nice evening. They don't knock unless you put a pumpkin outside either. This year 'though the word's out no one's doing it because of Covid, so.....

I think that I must be unusually lucky because I have never had any bad experiences with Trick or Treaters @ Halloween in any house I've lived in. Without exception, the littlies are always accompanied by a parent or adult and have been polite and grateful for the treats they're given and for the trouble I go to to dress the front of my house. The older ones tend to come without an adult but they're the same; no trouble whatsoever. Personally I love to see the effort they go to to dress up. I love to see the excitement on their faces as they see the lanterns and pumpkins etc. And heaven knows, there has been precious little for children to get excited about this year so if I can give them a little something to smile about at Halloween; I'll take part in that. ?

Hear, hear, @Chewbacca.

We have always celebrated Halloween with a big family party. Also an adult has taken the children round for trick or treat. Party games for them on return, pass the parcel, musical bumps, pinjata etc. Last year daughter hosted it and we stayed over with her. This year we will be home alone which seems sad somehow.

I think it might be scarier if they came to your door without wearing a mask !
I love Hallowe'en and usually put paper crows in my window and light lanterns , I even grew pumpkins for this year . So Im going to go ahead and make up wee paper twists containing sweeties , if nobody comes I can have the treats myself !

I’ve sent my grand children some sweets in the post for Halloween and we never seem to get anyone calling around here. I was thinking of putting some sweets in a dish outside the front door, just in case. I wont be answering the door.

I agree. I absolutely hate Hallowe'en. I put a notice on my door saying 'Sorry, no trick or treat'. You can get them from the police or make your own.

Hasn’t truck or treat been replaced by test and trace this year?
?

Here in my small part of Canada someone had the great idea of placing the treats in a long tube and firing the candy directly into the kiddies treat bag.

I’m going to do that, it’s all a but of fun. ?

Parsley3

Hasn’t truck or treat been replaced by test and trace this year?
?

LOL

I will not buy Haribos
I will not buy Haribos
I will not buy Haribos

I only end up eating them myself .

Trick or Treat has always seemed to me similar to Demanding money or goods with menaces.

Like many others on here, our area is encouraging decorated windows children walk with an adult and when they spot a window the adult pops a sweet in their bag. No door knocking no exchanging sweets all good fun.

Really don’t like Halloween or bonfire night. So if they’re cancelled that’s fine by me.

I would support the idea of putting sweeties or fruit into bags to hand out. Ordinary freezer bags will do.