Are you ready for Halloween?
Have you purchased candy that you enjoy or that you think the kids will enjoy?
Should you give items other than candy?
Is it OK to visit another neighborhood to trick-or-treat?
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Some of you may go all out with costumes and decorating, while others of you will be happy simply handing out candy, and some of you may choose to be tucked away in your home with the lights off! It has been some time since I dressed up for Halloween though always have fun giving out candy and seeing the children in their costumes.
Following are Halloween etiquette tips to help make it more enjoyable for all!
Wishing you a delightful (or is that frightful?) Halloween!
- If you are driving children, do stay within your neighborhood. It isn't polite to drive a group of children to another neighborhood because it is thought that "they have better candy."
- Lights on if you want trick-or-treaters; lights off to discourage. Of course, be aware that children may will still ring the bell when your lights are off, thinking you perhaps forgot to turn them on.
- A good age range for trick-or-treating is from young child to age 12. Once kids reach their teens, door to door trick-or-treating is discouraged. Teens can still be involved in the fun and accompany younger children out for trick-or-treating, hand out candy, or attend an age-appropriate party.
- If teens arrive at your door for candy, be gracious and provide them with candy also. No need to be a curmudgeon.
- It is best to provide store-bought candy rather than homemade items for safety reasons.
- While we may think it is clever to give pencils, erasers, notebooks, and non-candy items, kids would rather have candy.
- Remember to purchase candy that you think the children will enjoy, not that you enjoy (and hope to have leftover). A recent article in the Huffington Post listed the "9 Most Hated Halloween Treats." Take heed. Here are the nine:
2. Mary Janes 7. Whoppers
3. Bit-O-Honey 8. Things That Aren't Candy
4. Tootsie Rolls 9. Things That Aren't Even Edible
5. Good and Plenty
- Consider throwing a Halloween party at your home for young people.
- Consider getting into the spirit of Halloween and dressing up in a costume whether you are out walking your children, driving them, or you are answering the door. While adults are too old to actually be trick-or-treating, they aren't too old to get into the spirit of Halloween and to have fun!
