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Way back it was a tradition, even in the city -- at least, in Baltimore -- but then, must've been the 60s, nutcakes were putting razor blades in apples, handing out hashish brownies, and other nasty and dangerous things. A bit later, older kids were practicing their own versions of trick-or-treat, calling it "knock-n-rob." As for me, living in a semi-rural, rather isolated area, I haven't had one trick-or-treater in the 40 some years of living here.
Was wondering if this old tradition is still practiced in the suburbs and cities.
Doing my absolute level best to keep it alive without getting pumpkin guts all over my hands or showing how bad I am at all forms of artwork. I live in one of the burbiest suburbs there is, just outside Portland, OR, a place with all the usual suburban flaws plus some of its own creatively bad innovations.
I have a monster mask, and I make sure to get a good supply of good candy. I'm generous with it, because gods know it wasn't very expensive and the last thing I need is a bunch left over. I put out a lighted electric pumpkin and turn on the outside lights, and put my mask by the door. When the bell rings, I rush to open it with the mask on. When the kids say 'trick or treat,' I make monster noises; I never speak an articulate word of anything but monstery growling. The adults with them smile and laugh and thank me. I growl to them as well, with a friendly wave. "Thank you," say the children, having been given their candy. "Bluuuaaaaggh," I respond to each. I tone the volume down a little for the really small kids who seem genuinely scared.
Every year, I get more. Last year I went through three bags of candy and barely made it (we would have had to start handing out granola bars, yeeesh). This year I had better stock more. I see the same children and parents coming back year after year. If my neighborhood and its children know me in no other way, they know that the guy who lives here is capable of being a fun person who pitches in to help make it fun for the kids. It was done for me as a child, and it is now my duty to do it for these children as long as they and their successors will come.
I LOVE real Halloween! Not this churchy parking lot, sanitized "Trunk or Treat" nonsense.
What's not to like? Seems like you can load up on a ton of candy in a short time in the church parking lot, then go out and canvass the neighborhood afterward. Best of both worlds.
I'm biased, though, because we can walk to the local church and they blow it out. Like 4 bounce houses (separated by age), a giant inflated slide, and free food/popcorn. Plus candy and costumes.
Is it because there's (usually) nothing scary? Our kids are still really young, so we don't do scary stuff at Halloween yet, maybe that's why I'm more into the church and business "trick-or-treating" than you.
Yes it is, but every year we are seeing less kids.
I think trunk or treats, mall trick-or-treating etc. is fine and probably feels safer for parents.
With mall halloween events the kids have to wait in a line at each store for one tootsie roll. I don't think I would have been happy about that when I was a kid.
Way back it was a tradition, even in the city -- at least, in Baltimore -- but then, must've been the 60s, nutcakes were putting razor blades in apples, handing out hashish brownies, and other nasty and dangerous things. A bit later, older kids were practicing their own versions of trick-or-treat, calling it "knock-n-rob." As for me, living in a semi-rural, rather isolated area, I haven't had one trick-or-treater in the 40 some years of living here.
Was wondering if this old tradition is still practiced in the suburbs and cities.
It is where I live, however, I don't live in a large city. I live in a town of 3,500 which is next to a city of 13,000. Most people here know each other. The city does a big Halloween party for the kids to trick or treat at in the community center. Kids still trick or treat in their neighborhoods.
Out in town, depending on where you live, you may get a couple of kids. They're your neighbor kids that you see all the time. That's it though. If we get 3 kids a year, that's a lot. And we know all 3! I think we're down to 1 or maybe 2 if one of the kids feels like it. He's now a teenager so he's not as interested. The end of our street turns into farms so the population fizzles.
Our firm has a Halloween party and everyone can bring their kids that day. The firm decorates and supplies the candy so the kids go trick-or-treating from office to office. I love Halloween! I go all out decorating both my home and office.
When I lived in a house instead of a condo, I turned the first level of my home into a haunted house for the neighborhood kids. I would serve chili dogs, punch and cookies.
The traditional trick-or-treating is alive and well here in Omaha. (Although since I moved to a multistory condo, I don't get to hand out candy any more. I miss it!)
Way back it was a tradition, even in the city -- at least, in Baltimore -- but then, must've been the 60s, nutcakes were putting razor blades in apples, handing out hashish brownies, and other nasty and dangerous things. A bit later, older kids were practicing their own versions of trick-or-treat, calling it "knock-n-rob." As for me, living in a semi-rural, rather isolated area, I haven't had one trick-or-treater in the 40 some years of living here.
Was wondering if this old tradition is still practiced in the suburbs and cities.
urban legends. don't forget the LSD laced fake tattoos!
We have been taking our kids trick or treating for years now. The only problem I see now is that they are getting much older. The youngest is 11 and still likes to go. Problem with that is she is 5'3" tall and looks like she could be in high school. Not that being in high school stops kids today. Our other kids have outgrown going out, although they still like the idea of free candy. We have a party each year and invite friends over with small kids. Then the moms all take the younger kids out while the dad's and older kids watch cool movies. Not into the slasher films but we will play many other classics, Nightmare Before Christmas is awesome. Plenty of others movies to have on.
urban legends. don't forget the LSD laced fake tattoos!
What kid even wants an apple for Halloween? I was a kid in the late 60's early 70's and if I had gotten an apple I would have thrown it back after I walked away. LOL All we wanted was candy, and we wanted name brand stuff, if you scored a candy bar that was the best. I think most of the kids I knew back then could sort their own stuff out. Toss the things that they did not want.
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