Is Trick or Treating ruined for you?

[cheapchick]

I was wondering if anyone else felt this way. I like to pass out candy to little kids and I used to enjoy taking my little relatives around Trick or Treating. I even passed out candy when I was in college. They would have a party for the kids in the dorm lounge and then Trick or Treating through the dorms.

But the past several years it's kinda ruined for me! What's with the teenagers Trick or Treating? I know there's no age limit but c'mon! They stroll around with their friends, no costumes, just a bag and mumble a "tricktreat" and hold out their bags while yakking on a cell phone. My mom and I would make jokes about putting out signs that say "If you shave any part of your body you are too old" or "If you are taller than this sign you are too big". Seriously, if you can drive yourself around the neighborhood then you are too old! I think a good cut-off point is 12. I didn't go past 10 or 11...I was too embarassed...I mean I was already wearing a bra under my costume!
And then there are the moms bringing around infants...what are they going to do? Cut their teeth on some Swedish Fish? And the kids who just happen to have a sick relative at home so they brought 2 bags? And the people who dump off van loads of kids from who knows where? I like seeing the little ones in their costumes but the older kids and parents who exploit a fun holiday just for some free candy kinda ruins it!

I have coupons for candy...I should pass those out and tell them to take them to the store and get a $1 off 3 bags and then a 4th bag for free!

[KristieGK]

When I was a kid I was told that age 12 was the last year you could go ToTing. That teenagers were not technically little kids. That's the rule of thumb I followed as well now that I am an adult.
My own kids (two boys) only ToTed two times, long enough to go to TWO houses each time. They didn't like it. Felt like they were beggers. This is at the ripe old ages of 4 and 6. Could not get them to ToT any more after that. lol Point being I guess is that they didn't even take advantage of it when they were young enough to. But yeah, I think 13 and older is too old for it.

[c-treen]

I don't mind the teenagers trick or treating if they are really into it. I have one son who only goes to few houses. Has always been that way. A few years ago I had several teenagers living with me. They wanted to trick or treat. I told them they could go when I took the little ones but could only trick or treat if they dressed up. They did-- to the hilt. LOL We had fun. Didn't go to tons of houses though.

[notsyourbeezwax]

Growing up, we had a 12 year old age limit as well. I set that standard for my son, but by the time he was 10 or so, we were doing church parties instead.

I am with you on the teenagers and the attitude. Once I start seeing that, I turn off my light and do not answer the door.

As far as going to other neighborhoods, when my son was 3 we lived out in the country, and I took him into town to ToT. But we only went to 1 street, that was enough for someone his age. As a matter of fact, we always limited the number of houses we went to.

This year, I will be helping a friend throw a neighborhood party (with a Wizard of Oz theme), so my lights will be dark again.

[momof2inohio]

No, I wouldn't say Halloween is ruined for me. I remember trick or treating until I was about 13 I think. There are several teens in our neighborhood that still go around and most of them are in costume. I do think that 15 and up is maybe pushing it though lol.

As for the parents dropping kids off by the car load..some kids do live in the country and don't have many houses nearby to go trick-or-treating. Or it could be some friends of a kid who lives in your neighborhood and they all wanted to trick-or-treat together. We did that as kids. My mom took me to another neighborhood because we lived kind of out in the country and the houses were so far apart.

That is too funny about you mentioning a kid going around with 2 bags. 2 years ago my son got really sick on trick or treat day. He was so upset, he had his costume ready and everything. So my DH brought my daughter around. All of our neighbors asked where her brother was and she said he was home sick so they gave her extra candy for him. We never expected to get candy for him but the neighbors all knew us and felt bad I guess.

Anyways, we are looking forward to Halloween this year. Im sure I will cut my son off in a few years though when he is around 13 or 14

[gctattoo]

I think that 12 years old is a good cut-off age. We took our DD trick or treating when she was an infant. She wore a Halloween-themed sleeper. She was the best kind of trick or treaterthere is -- super cute and doesn't take any candy.

Of course, her 10-year-old sister was with us too so we weren't total freaks.

[VivaciousJewelz]

Well, my daughter is 3 months old and I have her little leopard costume all ready for ToTing.

[beth119]

My mom cut me off when I turned 10. :(

[justmeagain]

We don't celebrate Halloween........so no issues here LOL

[jen276here]

I have no problem with any kid ToTing. As far as I'm concerned it is fun and as long as the kids are respectful and polite they are welcome to ToT. I've had kids come with no costume and just hold out their bag and I start getting on their case - asking them what they are suppose to be, poking fun and making jokes -and usually they start laughing and making jokes too.

It is all in good fun and I think it is the adults that forget that.