early Halloween tip

steeljack · 11-10-2006, 23:50

I understand youngsters in the UK are getting into the sodding awful American tradition of "trick or treating" , knocking on your door and scrounging/demanding toffee and stuff , you give to one ,next you have 50 at the door . I solved this problem a few years ago by buying a couple of dozen childrens toothbrushs at the local 5 and dime store and handing them out as a preventative to rotten teeth , needless to say the kids told the ones next in line and they stayed clear (don't go there he's a miserable old git).........only problem was one mother who brought her little tykes again the following year to "that nice man" who gives toothbrushs away .

shillelagh · 11-10-2006, 23:57

I stick mine in a bowl on the front doorstep and let them help themselves - and i normally have some left!

harwood red · 12-10-2006, 01:39

hee hee now thats a novel idea steeljack, cheers

WillowTheWhisp · 12-10-2006, 06:54

We have a lifesized witch who cackles at them when they select sweets from her cauldron. OK so I'm still a big kid - if you can't beat em join em.

Tricia · 12-10-2006, 07:31

We get them "down South" as well.

What their mothers are thinking of, letting them knock on strangers' doors, I don't know. Some mums actually do the rounds with the kids, and that sort of defeats the object of the exercise.

But, in some cases, it is more like "demanding money with menaces". Some of the little frankensteins can be quite cute and polite but others - usually the older ones - can be intimidating (or try to be). One year a while ago, when it was less common, I was taken by surprise and did not have any sweets to offer. "Oh, that's OK", the ringleader said, "Just give us a pound each". Needless to say, I did not.

But the following morning I found that the aerial on my car had been bent into a question mark! Coincidence? Mmmmm....

Little darlings.

grannyclaret · 12-10-2006, 14:13

The kids are very welcome at our house,,,,We always have loads of treats for them,,,

lancsdave · 12-10-2006, 14:44

My daughter will have a genuine Halloween with a real witch, she's going to her Mothers

Dave

magily · 12-10-2006, 18:58

I have to say that I now live in Canada and actually love Halloween. The kids only go trick or treating on Halloween night, most parents take their kids out so you do not worry about strangers. I am always amazed at the effort people put into decorating their homes to make it a fun night for all.

West Ender · 12-10-2006, 22:01

My granddaughter, aged 7, has a new witch costume, complete with hat, a black and orange wig - a la Morticia Adams - and a false witch's nose. She also has a black, rubber rat to drape round her neck and the pumpkin we grew will be hollowed out, carved and containing a tea-light. She will be going round our road with 3 of her friends and her mummy. She will knock on the doors of people we know and will, no doubt, be rewarded with a few sweets.

I always keep a bag of sweets for the kids and we usually get about half a dozen knocks at the door. This year, though, I will be flying back from Malta on Hallowe'en (broomstick is primed and ready to go) so I won't be there to join in the fun.

It's harmless and it's exciting for the little ones. The look on their faces when you pretend to be frightened to death, by a glowing, 4 year old skeleton or something unidentifiable that looks like ET, is worth an extra scrub with the toothbrush at bed time. Bring it on, I say.

cherokee · 12-10-2006, 22:11

I love halloween and although my lot have all grown up i still have pumkins with candles dotted around my front garden and try to trim up a bit out side for the little uns and i have a large bowl of sweets ready for them when they come knocking , as soon as all the sweets are gone i blow out the candles and normally dont get bothered again .. I just love it ..

slinky · 12-10-2006, 22:11

OMG this reminds me of the year that..............

PICTURE THIS!!!

Hallween night, pitch black. I hear a knocking on the door.....spooked I opened the door, three young children TRICK OR TREAT?? next thing ginger had run round the side of the house in a FULL HEAD WOLF mask and shouted " TRICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK"..........................

The poor kids shat themselves and I didn't see them ever again

Ginger was ever so pleased with himself though....................and found it ever so hillarious for years after.

Oh may i add Ginger is my HUSBAND and not 1 of my children

Though I actually wonder sometimes.

cherokee · 12-10-2006, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by slinky

OMG this reminds me of the year that..............

PICTURE THIS!!!

Hallween night, pitch black. I hear a knocking on the door.....spooked I opened the door, three young children TRICK OR TREAT?? next thing ginger had run round the side of the house in a FULL HEAD WOLF mask and shouted " TRICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK"..........................

The poor kids shat themselves and I didn't see them ever again

Ginger was ever so pleased with himself though....................and found it ever so hillarious for years after.

\

ROFLMAO!!

How cruel is that haha
Guess the only trick was watching them dissapear RAPIDLY.

slinky · 12-10-2006, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherokee

\

ROFLMAO!!

How cruel is that haha
Guess the only trick was watching them dissapear RAPIDLY.

Hmmmm I know.............poor kids

I warned him though!! little kids grow into BIG teenagers

SPUGGIE J · 13-10-2006, 07:08

I have the best getout clause for that as I wont be in. Yeeeehaaaaaa work has its uses afterall.

jambutty · 14-10-2006, 13:12

At dusk I lock my front door and do not answer it to anyone unless I am expecting them.

My kids all have keys so they can let themselves in if they come a calling.