Is Trick or Treating ruined for you?

[beth119]

Everyone should keep this in mind...

Not all kids can afford costumes.

[NIGHTB1022]

Before I die...I want to go trick or treating again, just once, just to have that "kid" feel and the fun of it LOL, and I'm 55 years old.

He y if the kids are into it, I don't have a problem with the teenagers. Anymore, our town only has it for 2 hours this year, I applaude the ones that time the time to get all dressed up for 2 hours, and not to mention the fact that most of the stuff they get anymore isn't even worth trick or treating for, I'm sorry, but it only comes once a year, atleast get the kids the miniature bars and don't insult them by throwing them a single piece of gum.

This year my neighborhood kids are getting full size reese's and snickers, and milky ways, and 3 muskateers and...dang it's gonna be fun! Got them all with q's and on sale!

I used to give them each a can of pop, but this year I decided to do the candy bars instead.

[arasic]

I geuss I'm mean, I don't give anything to un-costumed teenagers, but most of them won't come to my house anyway because for the last few years we have gone candy free, which the parents of the little ones seem to like, but the older crowd hates getting little boxes of crayons and coloring books, or mini cans of play-doh or yo-yos, lol.

I love to watch the little ones. As far as van loads of kids goes, when we were younger we always took extra kids with us whose parents were at work, and I also know that sometimes they go out in groups.

When I was little I remember our town having two seperate times, one for the younger kids(around dusk) and a second for the older kids, and I remember alot of people that would turn out the lights after the younger kids were done.

[NIGHTB1022]

Originally Posted by beth119 Everyone should keep this in mind... Not all kids can afford costumes.

Nothing wrong with a homemade costume, I like seeing those the best! I always made my kids costumes, and I don't necessarily mean I sewed them, sometimes I did, if not I sure put some pretty cool ones together for basically nothing.

One year when my daughter was in fourth grade, I sat up all night making her an M & M's costume. It was brown on one side for the regular m&m's and yellow on the other for peanut. I made it out of felt and actually scaled the letters that were on the package to the costume size. Then I made a beret type hat with the M on it, a pair of dangle earrings that looked like red m&m's from an old pair of clip earrings I dug up, and a matching trick or treat sack.

I used brown leggings with it and she looked so cute, believe it or not, she still has it and when her son is old enough he is going to be wearing it for halloween.

[Mothernature]

You do not have to give out anything to these kids. Give them pencils. I used to winnow who were older teenagers. We would not open the door.

I went to age 14 because of my younger sister. It was my responsibility to take her.

I took my son when he was 1. It is a milestone for a parent.

[beth119]

Originally Posted by NIGHTB1022 This year my neighborhood kids are getting full size reese's and snickers, and milky ways, and 3 muskateers and...dang it's gonna be fun! Got them all with q's and on sale! I used to give them each a can of pop, but this year I decided to do the candy bars instead.

We're coming to your house!

My DH watched a special a few weeks ago about childhood obesity, and has decided we're not passing out candy.

I am expecting my house to be egged when the kids see their bags of granola and dried fruit.

[arasic]

Originally Posted by beth119 Everyone should keep this in mind... Not all kids can afford costumes.

True, but I think most people get more upset at the teenagers that just don't dress up.

Most parents that I know that can't afford a store bought one just get a bit creative...Have the kid put on some sweat pants and a pair of loose jeans over top, stuff the gap with leaves, tie off with a string or rope at the ankles and waist, do the same on top with a long sleeved shirt and a button up, use some lipstick and eye liner, maybe a straw hat, if you have one...and with just a little effort, you have a scarecrow

Honestly, I think the ones like that, that take a bit of effort are alot more adorable than the simple store bought ones.

[judeshoney]

Here's my philosophy...there are too many times where we're looking for our kids just to be kids again. We wish they'd play with Barbies and GI Joes rather than taking guns to school. We all see the reports of 13 year olds having babies. We ask ourselves "where did their childhood go?".

On Halloween, they actually can be kids again. To knock on the door and and wonder what kind of treat is on the other side of the door - I'm all about that. I don't care if they're dressed up or not. I've never run out of candy and likely won't this year either. Better to have it in their bags than on my thighs.

I give out full-size candy bars every year. This year, I got it all for free. Last year, I got it with my ECB overage. But even when I was spending $20 for it (we don't get that many kids) the fun of having the kids scream to the others "they're giving out big candy bars over here!" was worth it.

I love Halloween. I say, let them be kids even if it's only one day a year.

[Macaela25]

We take DS to our church's Trunk or Treat party, where all the members decorate their cars in the parking lot and the kids go from car to car. DS has never trick or treated any other way.

As for van loads of kids being dumped off, I knew a large family that would specifically drive to all the churches in town gathering candy and stuffing their faces with goodies at Halloween/Fallfest activities each October 31. The children were already all quite obese, and I told the mother point blank that if she REALLY felt that her children needed several pillowcases full of candy that she should just buy some on clearance Novermber 1and save the trip. She replied that she could feed her kids for free this way. Candy and sweets for dinner? Nice.

Thankfully I don't "know" her anymore.

[NIGHTB1022]

I forgot to mention, when I was in grade school, Halloween was 2 nights! We could to trick or treating on Oct 30 & 31st both from 3 - 11 pm. See how much everything has changed?