QueenCat Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I LOVE two things about trick or treating: 1) Seeing all the kids in their costumes. Just love the variety and fun they are having. 2) Sitting outside with neighbors, handing out treats. Usually with one of the portable bonfires, some wine and lots of good laughs. We meet far more of the new homeowners doing it this way, rather than each of us on our own porch. We cluster every few houses, walk back & forth, etc. Granted, it's a relatively new townhouse community, making clustering easier while still giving out treats. Love my neighborhood! 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 (edited) Not going. Not having to go. Having kids that are older and not interested. :coolgleamA: And no one comes through our townhouse community anyway. Edited October 29, 2017 by scrapbookbuzz 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 Not going. Not having to go. Having kids that are older and not interested. :coolgleamA: And no one comes through our townhouse community anyway. My kids are waaaaaaaaay past it. But I love it! We're in townhouses too, with a good number of kids. It's us almost empty nesters and empty nesters that are clustering while engaging with the younger ones & their parents. I think this is only the 3rd Halloween for the neighborhood, which is becoming a tight community so it's a night of real community spirit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I am so jealous of neighborhoods where people engage. We used to have that then we moved. :( I love decorating, carving pumpkins, and seeing all the costumes! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 My neighborhood has a potluck. I love sitting outside with my neighbors as the kids come through. It's a true potluck, but we always end up with bringing all different things so we get a real dinner. One neighbor makes hot cider with optional rum. It's fun to catch up and kick back. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I love it all. The decorating, the weeks of elaborate costume making, the bonfire clusters and hanging out with neighbors. The kids in costumes. We make chili and cider, and this year mulled wine. We have friends spend the night each year, the whole family. The ToTing and the afterward when all the kids trade candy. The Switch Witch comes for DS and gives him safe candy. This year we stuffed 450 goodie bags to pass out. Our number varies, not sure how many ToTers we will have this year, but that should be enough. :) I adore Halloween. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 I am so jealous of neighborhoods where people engage. We used to have that then we moved. :( I'm sorry, that's always been my fear but we've been fortunate so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 People / costume watching! I love it! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBlossom Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Let's just say that my favorite Halloween ever was the year we went camping instead of Trick or Treating and the kids weren't quite old enough to realize we missed it completely. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I am totally going to win this thread. My dh serves glasses of wine to the accompanying parent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I am totally going to win this thread. My dh serves glasses of wine to the accompanying parent. You win! My SIL just told me that her DH makes Jell-O shots and keeps them in a cooler for parents. I haven't had Jell-O shots since being maybe 22, but it sounded fun. You totally win with wine. :) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 You win! My SIL just told me that her DH makes Jell-O shots and keeps them in a cooler for parents. I haven't had Jell-O shots since being maybe 22, but it sounded fun. You totally win with wine. :) Last year, one little girl said, “no, mommy!! You always get goofy when you have wine!†🙄😑 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I do like seeing the kids in their costumes. However, I dislike trick or treating. I didn't like taking my kids and I don't like handing it out. I used to love Halloween but the bad apples spoiled the bunch in my neighborhood. Too many disrespectful of people's property. People have had their displays broken and/or pieces stolen. Smashed pumpkins. On Halloween some kids are simply rude and disrespectful because they are not supervised. I am not talking about youthful rambunctious pretending behavior. These kids are stealing the bowl the candy is in if left on the porch. Or tossing the bowl onto the lawn. No respect for anyone or anything. I am so disgruntled I am not sure I am participating this year. Now get off my lawn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Yesterday, my kids told dh that I hate Halloween. I LOVE Halloween! But I do get kind of weird about it, because I miss the traditional suburban Halloween. What we do here, in a much more rural area, isn't REAL Halloween to me. Even with this being our 13th year here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 We don't celebrate Halloween, so the best part for me is that Walmart is empty and I can shop in peace. ;) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Duh, sorting the candy. :D 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 (edited) Not going? I don't like it. I have only taken one of mine once so far (last year). I plan to take him again this year. He was crazy excited and happy about it so I suppose making him happy was my favorite part. Edited October 29, 2017 by SparklyUnicorn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I LOVE two things about trick or treating: 1) Seeing all the kids in their costumes. Just love the variety and fun they are having. 2) Sitting outside with neighbors, handing out treats. Usually with one of the portable bonfires, some wine and lots of good laughs. We meet far more of the new homeowners doing it this way, rather than each of us on our own porch. We cluster every few houses, walk back & forth, etc. Granted, it's a relatively new townhouse community, making clustering easier while still giving out treats. Love my neighborhood! If we lived in a neighborhood, I think this second part would be very fun. We have always been those “descend upon someone else's neighborhood†people and this part always did look like fun to me. When my kids were little, I got a lot of joy out of making them a really awesome costume. Showing off the mad creative skillz, lol. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Duh, sorting the candy. :D Gotta make sure it’s safe! Expecially those Butterfingers; you can’t trust those. Mom has to examine them extra-carefully. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 I am totally going to win this thread. My dh serves glasses of wine to the accompanying parent. Our next door neighbor has beer for them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink and Green Mom Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Truly the only thing I like about Halloween. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Not turning on the front porch light and hiding in bed with my blankie and kindle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I used to live in townhouses in an area where everyone came--people would travel to this area for thier kids to trick or treat because the houses were so close together. I loved sitting on the porch and seeing all the costumes. I live in a different area now and trick or treating is different because the houses are farther apart and no where near as many people offer candy as in the townhouses, but I still love taking the kids. They're 12 and 15 now. The 15yo hasn't gone in 2 years and I'm not sure if the 12 yo will go. This might be the first year where I don't ToT OR hand out candy! My house is one of the last ones on the last street in town, and I don't think any trick or treater has ever bothered to come all the way to the end of my street where I am in search of candy. I'll have to content myself with the pumpkin carving. Love the pumpkin carving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I love it all! But I've been fortunate enough to not have had any bad experiences. I grew up in the almost-country, so houses we too spread apart to do trick-or-treating. We had to drive to other neighborhoods. So with that background, one of my favorite things is seeing groups of my own neighbors hanging out together while they pass out candy. One group on a cul-de-sac even brings out a projector and plays the Charlie Brown Halloween movie. It's just so nice to see the neighborhood so alive, having fun together, keeping an eye on the kids together. Normally it's very quiet and boring, with everyone going straight home after work and keeping to themselves, except to maybe walk a dog or go for a jog. It's a real transformation to have everyone suddenly come out and have a good time. And it's spontaneous. There's none of the forced joviality like at the annual HOA-sponsored events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Now that my kids are done trick or treating - seeing the kids and hanging out with neighbors in the culdesac. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I’ve always liked the costumes (especially punny ones) and the chocolate, but not ToT’ing itself, even as a kid. I think passing out candy is fun for about 5 minutes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Seeing the costumes, seeing everyone so happy, hanging out with neighbors, eating the kids candy after they go to bed :) This year we are doing a pot luck with two of our neighbors, one of whom will have her 2 yr old grandson. He's going to be adorable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Seeing the kids in their costumes. Rarely do neighbors sit outside on Halloween. October is a mosquito month (though this year it might be cool enough to keep them away). New Year's Eve is our night to hang around outside with neighbors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Duh, sorting the candy. :D Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Truly the only thing I like about Halloween. Thanks for making me feel better. I was reading this feeling like a five year old because the first thing I thought was "the candy of course!" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainbowmama Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Catching up with the neighbors, the beautiful leaves, my kids' excitement and their cute costumes, looking for teal pumpkin houses 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 I love the whole thing-planning, creating costumes and decorations and treats, watching the kids and handing out treats... I will say that we live across the street from a good sized elementary school, so we get a decent number of kids. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 My favorite part of Halloween is November 1st. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 The community spirit. Talking to neighbors. My kids used to do some sort of routine at each house -- dancing, singing, one year there was a swashbuckling sword fight. Sort of like Christmas caroling, but not confined to singing Christmas songs. It was always so much fun! My screensaver this month is pictures of Halloweens past, and is just full of great memories. Some of the kids still tell jokes, which is traditional in some parts of our metropolitan area. They're usually bad -- don't make sense or else just poorly told -- and I love them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Gotta make sure it’s safe! Expecially those Butterfingers; you can’t trust those. Mom has to examine them extra-carefully. I taste-tested ours to make sure they are safe to give out. :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 (edited) I'm going to add that I love the costumes of kids all ages. I love the cute little ones - toddlers, preschoolers, school age, the dressed up babies when you know that candy is for the parents, and the teens who are holding on to one last bit of childhood. Edited October 31, 2017 by Lady Florida. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I love the teenaged trick or treaters --- they're always happy and usually polite. They sometimes have elaborate costumes and sometimes are barely wearing a costume and a little sheepish about it. I love seeing them out enjoying time this way! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I am totally going to win this thread. My dh serves glasses of wine to the accompanying parent. I want to come to your house! :cheers2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I love the costumes and creativity, but also the idea of a shared event that the whole community (or whoever is interested in) participates in, no matter their background. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I may have been misguided in my previous post. Only because about Sunday, I realized I'm going about this all wrong. There have been SO many fall festivals here that I should have gone to several and collected candy there, for free, then I'd have my own private stash! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustEm Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I love the whole thing. I love making costumes with my kids and all the excitement that leads up to the day. We are currently listening to creepy music while eating lunch, dh is dancing like a lunatic to the music just to get me to smile. We TOT with dh's sisters, their kids, and his mom. We have dinner before hand and all go out together. The adults chat while the kids run from house to house. I love that my 8 year old wants to keep going after all the little legs are tired so I go with him and we just get to chat going door to door. I love watching them trade candies and hand the adults some of their favorites every now and then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caraway Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 (edited) I really hate the addition of alcohol to TOTing. Why do parents need alcohol to deal with every single kid activity?!?! Every year I end up with at least one lost crying child asking me to help find their parent. I seem to be the only sober adult who is paying attention in the whole darn neighborhood. I used to like making costumes and taking pictures. Now I’m sorta over the whole thing. [emoji853] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited October 31, 2017 by Caraway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 I really hate the addition of alcohol to TOTing. Why do parents need alcohol to deal with every single kid activity?!?! Every year I end up with at least one lost crying child asking me to help find their parent. I seem to be the only sober adult who is paying attention in the whole darn neighborhood. I used to like making costumes and taking pictures. Now I’m sorta over the whole thing. [emoji853] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk We don't need it. We enjoy sitting with neighbors with a glass of wine or a beer while giving out treats. No one is getting drunk, at least around here. No one's making someone who doesn't want a glass to have one. We love the costumes, take pictures of the ones we know... those sitting together, handing out treats, are typically parents of older kids and young adults. If you don't like it, don't partake. No need to be judgemental about those of us who do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 yeah..no one around here is drunk to the point of losing their kids!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knoxinsox Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I take a candy tax. There have been many discussions over how unfair this is. LOL I say, I gave you life, I paid for your costumes out of my spending money, and am spending my evening walking around neighborhoods when I want to be home reading a book, so hand over the Almond Joys. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I'm not big on it myself, but if I have to pick a favorite part, it's seeing cute little kids dressed up and doing their unique version of trick-or-treat. My real favorite part is saying goodbye to the last piece of candy. If only we had a longer break between that and the next candy holiday. :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Oh and I really like when people dress up and decorate like a mini haunted house for the trick-or-treaters. Now that I am too old to trick-or-treat, I don't get to enjoy that any more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Oh and I really like when people dress up and decorate like a mini haunted house for the trick-or-treaters. Now that I am too old to trick-or-treat, I don't get to enjoy that any more. Those were always fun. We used to go on a neighborhood hay ride (in our old neighborhood there houses were spread out and a lot of people did hay rides for ToT). Several houses did the mini haunted house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 yeah..no one around here is drunk to the point of losing their kids!!! We do have beer and hot cider (with rum). We just sit together in the street and hangout with the neighbors as the TOTers come by. No one is getting drunk. Very few have more than one drink. However, several years ago (12years I think), we did have a mom stumbling through our court from another part of the neighborhood with her boyfriend. She was wearing one of those sexy whatever costumes for adult females. Though she was thin those things are not made for someone post 40 after babies. Add in the stumbling... Her kids were 9 and 11 I think. They weren't with her. They were TOTing with neighborhood friends. She stumbled through and drunkenly chatted with all of us (about 15 adults). It was uncomfortable. Everyone already knew she had problems, but this just took away speculation. She died last year of liver disease. A couple of neighbors did as much as they could to watch out for the woman's ds through those years of his mom's decline because he was friends with the other neighbor boys. Relaxing and having a beer with neighbors is different than being falling down drunk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I hate everything about Halloween except that my kids have fun. It's cold. It's dark. I'm tired. Nobody needs that much candy. If it were nice brisk autumn weather & still daylight, I'd love to be social with the neighbors and see all the costumes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I love it all. The planning, the creating of costumes. I love walking around with my kids and seeing all the other costumes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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