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I went to the store and bought a couple of bags of candy. I got out the change jar and counted out some quarters and some dimes. At 6:45, I put on my coat, took my Kindle out on the front porch and waited. There are five steps up to my door and I don't like to let the little ones climb up with masks and bags.
And I waited. And waited. At 10 past seven, a mom and dad showed up with two children. I made a fuss and wished them Happy Hallowe'en. (Mom and one child said "thank you" - Dad and younger child not.)
And more waiting. At 7:45, I gave up, came inside, turned out the light and ran warm water over my cold hands.
Now, I have a basket of candy taunting me and daring me to indulge.
At my son's house, they gave out over 200 bags by 7:30. Guess they have a better reputation up there.
As long as the kids are polite, I don't care how many, what their address is or how old they are. I'm still stunned from the kid a couple of years ago who knocked on my door at 9:30 (long after the light went out). I opened the door and said "Hello? Can I help you?" She looked at me (13 or so) with attitude and said, "Trick or treat, duh." I looked at her and said, "Light was off -- no candy, duh." "You mean you don't have ANYTHING? I climbed this damn hill for NOTHING?" (We live on a small rise) "Why would you come to a door that didn't have a light on?" "F__ you, lady!!!"
As long as the kids are polite, I don't care how many, what their address is or how old they are. I'm still stunned from the kid a couple of years ago who knocked on my door at 9:30 (long after the light went out). I opened the door and said "Hello? Can I help you?" She looked at me (13 or so) with attitude and said, "Trick or treat, duh." I looked at her and said, "Light was off -- no candy, duh." "You mean you don't have ANYTHING? I climbed this damn hill for NOTHING?" (We live on a small rise) "Why would you come to a door that didn't have a light on?" "F__ you, lady!!!"
No candy for her.
Wow, that was so not nice. I would blame her upbringing on that.
Sigh. I care how old they are. Private people handing out candy are not schools obliged to meet your child's needs.
And, yes, I have seen adults strolling around their couple-month old babies getting candy. Last year a guy got ticked when my husband said he was sorry but we weren't giving out anything a baby could consume. He said the candy was fine and held up a bucket full for him to add to, at which point my husband just stared at him.
We didn't participate this year and won't in the future. It has gotten out of hand. It is no longer a little gift for the neighborhood children but has turned into one more thing people think either they or "the children" are entitled to.
If that's the way you feel about Halloween, then it's probably best that you not participate You act like your candy is some precious gift that people need to EARN by meeting your specified criteria. Who gives a heck if the person wants the candy their baby collects? How many parents "steal" candy from their kids' Halloween bags? That would be most of them! You seem to have a grinchy attitude about the holiday, then fine, no need to stress yourself out by participating.
It has always been our family tradition to go all out decorating our house since my three boys were small.
The rest of the street soon followed suite and now our street is a magnet for trick or treaters.
I'm always running low on candy and having to go out and get some more.
One son even flew up for the weekend from Florida with his girlfriend to show her how
Halloween is celebrated in New York. She loved it !
These are memories that last a lifetime....enjoy them.
I want to give candy to everyone! Even the parents who are suffering in the cold. But I only give it to those with bags including adults and babies.
Maybe next year I'll try pressing it on the parents and see if I can get any takers. If we didn't get out of the neighborhood trick or treaters we would have very few and it would be less fun. I especially like the multi-generation groups with everyone from baby to grandma. If teenagers, young adults and parents want to come more power to them.
We have a very safe, nice looking, neighborhood and I think it is nice that everyone can trick or treat in an environment where their parents don't have to worry about them or what they are getting from the houses.
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