How old is too old to be trick or treating? (infant, toddler)
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We have a guy who comes around trick-or-treating and he's in his late 20's. He wears a costume, he says please and thank you - and he's mentally handicapped, and is escorted by his parents. He's the only one "teen or older" that I'll give anything to. Trick or treating is for the little kids. Older kids should be escorting their siblings, or at the door giving the candy out when the little ones come by. Or they could do like we did when we were in our teens, and form a group and go door to door just to show off our costumes, without expecting anything in return.
I went trick-or-treating until I was around 15 (sophomore year, maybe?). I think it's fine, as long as they're wearing costumes. The older kids aren't any weirder than the parents with tiny babies too young to eat candy still collecting it. (I'm guilty of that, too; we couldn't resist going to a few houses to introduce my then-younger son to the wonders of trick-or-treating, even if he was too young to "get" it, or to eat most of it.) It might have been too old, but I liked getting dressed up and getting candy! There's also more of a social neighborhood aspect to going door-to-door that you don't find at formal Halloween parties. A lot of older kids also go with their younger siblings, which seems like a win-win situation; the parents can stay home and do door duty while the older brother or sister serves as babysitter.
I agree that where we've lived the sign for "no more candy" was an extinguished pumpkin and porch light off.
As a general question: what time does trick-or-treating start in other areas? The original poster says "after 5 pm," which suggests people starting before that; I haven't paid too much attention, but I think around here trick-or-treating doesn't even really get started until about that time. It really seems to be from around 5 to 8, with the bulk of the action not getting started until closer to 6. (I'll pay more attention this year, especially since we're in a different neighborhood) Does that vary widely by town or city, too?
Around six pm here, only approach houses with lit porch lights, and I don't care how old as long as there's a costume and some manners.
A few years ago we lived in a neighborhood where one house was offering candy to the wee ones and cocktails to the adults. It was a great way to meet neighbors!
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnonChick
Older kids should be escorting their siblings, or at the door giving the candy out when the little ones come by. Or they could do like we did when we were in our teens, and form a group and go door to door just to show off our costumes, without expecting anything in return.
If an older kid came to my door in costume there's no way I'd say "gee, looks good" and shut the door without offering a Reese Cup or something.
We have a guy who comes around trick-or-treating and he's in his late 20's. He wears a costume, he says please and thank you - and he's mentally handicapped, and is escorted by his parents. He's the only one "teen or older" that I'll give anything to. Trick or treating is for the little kids. Older kids should be escorting their siblings, or at the door giving the candy out when the little ones come by. Or they could do like we did when we were in our teens, and form a group and go door to door just to show off our costumes, without expecting anything in return.
Really? You wouldn't give a snickers bar to a 14 year old? How sad that you want teens to grow up so fast.
If teenagers are in costume, polite and within the hours set by the city, I'm okay with it. But, I may be less generous with the candy than with the little kids. Teenagers without costumes get the smallest piece of candy I can give them, but I still give them something so they won't have an excuse to smash my pumpkin or something.
City of Pittsburgh announced today that our trick or treating will be from 5:30-7:30 this year.
I am surprised that so many think teens shouldn't trick or treat. It makes me sad that people don't see high school kids as kids. Maybe the reason high school kids try to do so many adult things at such a young age is that they are getting the message that they should act more like adults. To me, teens are still kids and as long as they dress up and have good manners I don't begrudge them a few pieces of candy.
I don't see the big deal w/ age. Most trick or treating in my neighborhood are younger children, but I have no problem giving candy to teens. Heck, my husband is still a kid at heart when it comes to Kit Kats.
The kids around here usually stop when they are old enough to drive themselves to the Haunted Houses.
The older kids can be pretty funny. A lot of them do a group theme- nerds, football players, 60's, 80's, ghouls, Blues Brothers etc. The nerds are my favorite.
We have a guy who comes around trick-or-treating and he's in his late 20's. He wears a costume, he says please and thank you - and he's mentally handicapped, and is escorted by his parents. He's the only one "teen or older" that I'll give anything to. Trick or treating is for the little kids. Older kids should be escorting their siblings, or at the door giving the candy out when the little ones come by. Or they could do like we did when we were in our teens, and form a group and go door to door just to show off our costumes, without expecting anything in return.
Eh, mentally handicapped adults get a free pass on Halloween! That's actually kinda awesome his parents take him around like that.
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