Trick or treat.

[oldherbaceous]

Am i getting miserable, or does anyone else not agree with trick or treating.
There are a lot of old people live near me and they get really concerned on halloween, when people come knocking on there doors.
You can be honest about me being miserable i won't mind.

[retropants]

Yep, I am 100% in agreement with your miserability OH!
I feel like a prisoner in my own home. We had some last Tuesday, so I told them it was a bit early, and my DH then gave them a quid, so they wouldn't do any damage (to my car?)
I don't mind tiddlers in fancy dress accompanied by their folks so much, but I am actually scared of the older kids either in a mask or with no fancy dress at all shouting trick or treat at me.
All in all, it is just begging and I don't like it.
bah, humbug!
Oh, and I am not old either.

[Cider Boys]

Dear Old Herbaceous

No, you are not alone in having concerns about this ridiculous ‘trick or treat’ nonsense.

I am generally regarded as being a miserable b*****, and I am proud of it. Children of today do not know the meaning of the word NO and so expect rewards for no effort. I have been fortunate in only having ‘corn flakes’ emptied all over my car after greeting the spoilt brats with “S*d off” after knocking on my door. This stupid practice must be banned and the parents together with their children should receive at least a £500 fine.

Harsh but fair

Barney

[Chantal]

I nearly had a heart attack about 5 years ago when I answered my door TWO WEEKS before Hallowe'en. There was no one there and then two stupid brats wearing horror masks jumped out at me from either side of my porch shouting "Trick or Treat". I gave them a piece of my mind, including the fact that if I had been elderly they'd have most likely had a corpse on their hands. They told me unless I paid them they would smash my windows. I told them to go ahead whilst I called the police and my insurance company as I could use some new windows. They skulked off then but did no damage. I now stay in the back of the house and don't let any lights be seen and have had no callers for the past few years.

[retropants]

I now stay in the back of the house and don't let any lights be seen and have had no callers for the past few years.

Exactly what I hate about it, why should we have to hide from children, it is absolutely wrong. Well done Chantal for having the b***s to stand up to the so-and-so's. I just wouldn't for fear of my lovely purple car being keyed, or worse. Ooh, I'm getting all cross now.........

[Mr Potato Head]

You should worry, in Leeds we have a tradition called 'Mischievous night' which is like trick or treat without being able to bribe the little darlings with a treat... This is on Nov 4th...

[Jenny Green]

You should worry, Mr PH. Round here every night is mischievous night!

[Chantal]

To be honest, my kitchen is at the back and as this is my favourite room I spend most of my time there so there are rarely any lights at the front. I'm out tonight so that's no problem but I have to say that I'm not sure me lurking at the back is the reason there have been no callers. I just don't think we have kids trick or treating in our area. I've never heard them and never seen them except for the horror twins and that wasn't even the right night. I guess I'm just lucky.

It's just been on our local radio that you can take their details (yeah right) and the police will slap an £80 harrassment fine on them or issue them with ASBOs if they get aggressive. Hmmmm I can see THAT working.

[jopsy]

we just had a lovely little grp of 3 arrive
they'd made an effort with costumes and one told a joke!!
i just let them have a lollypop each!
i hear what you're saying tho!
i won't answer the door unless rollys with me!
i can hear some coming round now...
lily has a pumpkin outfit but it was half price at m'care and she's worn it during the day-no ones seen it tho!

[Allan]

I have just downloaded and printed two posters to put on the door, reading "Sorry, no trick or treat"
It is perfectly legal to refuse.
Apparently such posters have been freely available but the message did not get round to us.
It's a bit late for now but we will be ready for next year. I will watch out for someting similar for xmas carollers.
Allan
P.S.
The best version IMHO is from this Epping Forest wrebsite
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/news/2 ... _Treat.asp
You have to allow popups, look down the text and you woll see the picture. Opt for printout.

[mandylew]

I went out and bought 50 satsumas today to 'treat' the little darlings, I thought they would not be impressed, word would spread down the street and we'd have a peaceful night, instead they were all really keen and saying wow thanks thats better than sweets! My kids went out earlier (in daylight) just to the immediate neigbours. I think a poster is a sensible idea if you dont want to be bothered.

[mandylew]

As for carrollers Allan, I always ask for a verse of Royal Davids city one they have done their usual rendition of we wish you a merry christmas, that gets rid of them

Mandy

[Tigger]

As we live in the middle of nowhere, we don't get any trick or treaters, carol singers or even any Parliamentary candidates. The only ones that persevere are the Mormons who appear about twice a year.

Last time they came, I was plucking a chicken and skinning a rabbit - both of which were gifts - and I talked to them whilst I worked on the respective disrobings. Funny - they didn't hang around for long?????!

[jopsy]

most odd that tigs!!

[Tigger]

Isn't it? Especially as I was doing them outside, wearing my usual gardening attire.

Can't think what might have put them off.......