Every Halloween, the discussion regarding trick or treating starts up again doesn’t it? This year, I thought I’d share my thoughts on whether or not trick or treating is begging.
Fundamentally, I guess the answer to this question has to be yes. I mean you’re basically knocking on people’s doors and expecting them to give you something for nothing. However, I personally think trick or treating is a fun Halloween tradition that isn’t a bad thing like many people portray it to be.
I do think there is a line though. When you have groups of “children” who are 16+ knocking on your door from the 1st October, it can certainly be construed as begging.
I think trick or treating is a fun tradition when young children dress up and go round the doors of their neighbours. Assuming they are accompanied by an adult for their safety, and aren’t bothering people who clearly don’t want to answer the door, then to me, it’s harmless.
It doesn’t hurt to hand out a chocolate bar or two (or even pieces of fruit if you’re worried about doling out sweets to children).
Generally, I would say that parents should use a bit of common sense:
- If you knock on a door and get no response, don’t just stand there hammering away. It’s obvious the people in the house don’t want to take part in trick or treating.
- Make sure the children have made at least a small effort on being in costume.
- Make sure the child is polite and thanks the people – whether they get something or not.
- It’s probably best to stick to the houses of people who you know, unless you live in one of those amazing community spirited places where everyone gets involved (you know, like you live in a film)
A lot people say you should only knock on doors of houses that are decorated. Here in the UK, very few people decorate but that doesn’t mean they’re miserable. I never decorate the house for Halloween – even though I love it. And I have no problem handing out sweets to the kids trick or treating.
And to the people who are against trick or treating:
Shouting and swearing at young children is never acceptable – simply ignore the door or say no.
What do you think? Do you take your children trick or treating? Is it a bit of harmless fun or is it begging? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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What is going on? Here in the USA we have similar ‘outrages’ against traditions like costumes and trick-or-treating. It’s becoming “unacceptable” to celebrate any traditional holiday anymore!
It’s getting ridiculous – I wish I had nothing to more serious to rage against than a child getting a chocolate bar or two!
I always decorate for Halloween, but live where I don’t get trick-or-treaters. Kinda makes me sad.
Yeah, I enjoy the whole trick or treaters thing, but we get very few here too – good excuse to eat lots of left over goodies though lol!
Good advice, for both trick-or-treaters and those who don’t care to participate. And I think 16-year-olds who go door-to-door should be ashamed.
Thank you 🙂 Me too – it’s for little kids to have a bit of fun!
It is fun for younger kids but I know so many people who don’t like it that we tend not to do it.
It is fun, but I can see what you mean – it takes the fun out of it when people are moaning at the children etc
I am totally with you on this one, I love trick or treaters coming round as long as they pretty much stick to the rules as you’ve stated above! I draw the line at groups of teenagers though who don’t even bother to dress up. And if any of those ‘killer clowns’ decide to make an appereance this year and frighten my daugher then I won’t be responsible for my actions! #BloggerClubUK
Same here! Teenagers get scattered! And as for those ridiculous killer clowns, they need to get a life!
I’m always torn on this one, the kids ask if we can do it but I always feel like we’d be annoying people if we did. I love Halloween though so I do a little party for them, that way they get to dress up and have fun anyway. I haven’t decided this year, we’ll just see how it goes I guess. Thanks for the tips! X #BloggerClubUK
I like the idea of the party so the kids still get to have fun 🙂 Perhaps it would be an idea to chat to a few of your neighbours before hand and see if they wouldn’t mind? x
I don’t go on for Halloween as don’t agree with the concept of trick or treating unless you know who’s doors you knock on. Halloween has become so over commercialised. #bloggerclubuk
I don’t go mainly because I’m lazy and it’s usually raining. We have little Halloween parties at home instead with some family and friends. My sister has taken my daughter a few times close to my mums house but she’s at Uni now so Im not sure what to do! We live in a block of flats so we don’t really get anyone knocking on the door and I don’t think there’s any need to be abusive.
Yes, it’s a bad time of year to be traipsing around the streets lol! I agree – being abusive to children is wrong anytime!
Always a tricky one! Like you say little ones dressed up is fine but mid to late teens can get a bit much! If we do go out this year it’ll just be to family members’ houses I think. #BloggerClubUK
Yes, it is a bit much when the “kids” knocking on your door are old enough to vote!
I always take my kids out trick or treating, they love it. But I do hate it when kids turn up at my door either in no costume whatsoever or are nearly 18 years old.
Same here – when they are practically grown ups and/or have made no effort, it feels a bit cheeky, but when they’re small and they’ve made the effort, I think its harmless
We’re still a little too young to go trick or treating, and I don’t yet know if I’d be comfortable knocking on people’s doors. In saying that I’m more than happy to hand treats out to any kids that come knocking, but I’d draw the line at 15 or 16-year olds.
Same here – when they’re that old, it seems a bit cheeky!
Ahh this is an interesting one! I always wanted to go trick and treating when I was a child but my Dad firmly believed that it was begging so it never happened! I think for little children then it is a lovely tradition, when they become rampaging late teens and demand money then not so much 😉 #BloggerClubUk
My dad had similar views so we used to just have fun at home – playing silly games etc. I agree – its fun for the little ones, but when it’s teenagers, I think it’s getting to the point of cheeky
People on here are commenting that it is “cheeky” for older teenagers to go trick or treating, especially if they don’t make an effort to wear a costume. It is NOT cheeky, it is begging. In fact it is blackmail and extortion, demanding money with menaces. There – fixed it for all of you snowflakes.
We never ‘did’ Halloween when we were younger – I don’t remember dressing up or going to parties, and definitely no trick or treating. My husband didn’t either. So we’re undecided about the whole tradition. Whilst fun, I’m not sure I like it. Alfie is still young this year so we’re not going, but may re-think next year. To be honest, if it’s on a week day, I don’t get home from work early enough anyway!! #BloggerClubUK
I never went trick or treating as a child although we did usually dress up and play silly games 🙂 I guess the weekday thing would be a bonus if you’re undecided!
We never went trick or treating as children because my parents thought it to be begging. When mine get to that age though, I will have a standard rule that if the houses have Halloween decorations up, they can knock on. This way they won’t bother those who don’t want to be bothered! Win-win!
#BloggerClubUK
It’s just a bit or harmless fun for children. I take my children to the same place me and all my cousins went and it’s lovely to continue the tradition. My patters mother thinks it’s begging and I think that’s the wrong attitude to have. If people are happy to buy sweets and hand them out to excited children then whos to judge?! Great post #bloggerclubuk
I agree! It’s harmless fun and I think it’s nice to give kids a treat 🙂 Thank you
I agree! A bit of harmless fun for the (little) kiddos, although I was never allowed to as a child as my mum thought it was begging! xxx #bloggerclubuk
My dad was the same lol! x
We’ve never did it growing up. Well that’s a lie actually. My mum let us trick or treat our house haha! I have no issues with it. We’re going to have sweets ready for trick or treaters this year.
#BloggerClubUK
Lol nice compromise there from your mum! I always have sweets in too thought not many come around up here
We don’t decorate the house, but I do like halloween! Last year my husband and I both bought in lots of mini chocolate bars without knowing the other was doing the same. Nobody called on us so we were eating mini Mars Bars for ages (well, a couple of days, at least!). I was never allowed to trick or treat as a child, but my parents are very reserved. I think it’s fun for small children to do with their parents. Where’s the harm? If people don’t like it, do what my Dad does and turn the doorbell off!
I don’t decorate either although I’m always tempted too. Haha, there’s usually a fair few left here too – it’s a good excuse to be a bit naughty! I agree – just ignore the door if you don’t want to join in!
I have been looking forward to reading your post as I have published something similar – except at the opposite end of the opinion scale! For me, I think it’s completely fine to trick or treat if it’s an agreed trail / between consenting people and everyone is supervised. But I really don’t think it’s safe to knock on random peoples doors asking for sweets in the whole grand scheme of things. Great post. #BloggerClubUK
Oh I’ll have to check yours out! I hadn’t considered the safety aspect until another commenter mentioned it and I have to say it’s a very good point!
I love Halloween and have no problem with trick or treating at all. As long as they are dressed up and not teenagers then I think it’s just a bit fun. I always went when I was younger and will start taking Leo next year probably, I think he’s still a bit too young xx #BloggerClubUK
Yes, I think it’s a bit cheeky when teenagers come, but the little ones are so cute and excitable 🙂
I love trick or treating with my kids. I even dress up myself but the kids go to the door. I’ve trick or treated in the same neighborhood for years now so I know which houses will be available and which ones won’t. I’ve never had anyone yell at my kids but I know if someone did, that would be very bad for them. Yes, I am one of those parents. It’s a fun thing to do and I agree that if they don’t want to partake in this then they simply leave their lights off or their doors locked. It’s not hard to do. When I was a teen, my friends and I took a group of younger children out trick or treating. Yes, this was a way for us to get candy too but we always made sure the younger ones got theirs first and if a house didn’t want to give us candy we respected that. Not all teens are like that though and some definitely like going out and causing trouble. That’s not okay either. It’s supposed to be fun. So let’s keep it fun. #bloggerclubuk
To be honest, I wouldn’t blame you for kicking off if someone yelled at your kids! It’s easy just to ignore the door if you don’t want to join in.
I must admit I’m not a fan of teens doing it, but if they’re supervising younger kids that’s ok and I wouldn’t mind giving them some sweets too – at least that way the littles are safe!
I never did trick-or-treating as a child so I think that has a lot to do with my opinions as an adult (i.e. I don’t have happy, nostalgic memories of doing it as a kid). But I personally don’t like trick-or-treating – it seems odd to me that we drill into children not to take sweeties from children, and then go knocking on strangers’ doors asking for them! If I was to take my kids trick-or-treating, it would definitely only be to people’s houses that we know #BloggerClubUK
You know, I hadn’t considered it from that angle but you’re right – it is a pretty inconsistent message to give to kids!
I don’t mind trick or treaters. I don’t like when it’s weeks before Halloween though. I like if they have put a little effort into their costumes too. Last year we had an older child, maybe even a teenager, not even dressed up. Knocking on, trick or treating apparently, but claimed they wanted money. Goodbye friend haha!
#bloggerclubuk
I don’t like it unless its Halloween night or at least the nearest Saturday if it’s really little ones that would be in bed before much starts going on. Haha exactly what I would have said too 🙂
We tended to have house parties when the kids were young rather than trailing around the streets but that was probably me just not bothering to go out in the cold! Now my teen is asking for a Halloween the answer is a resounding ‘No’!! Yes, I’m boring but I quite like my house in one piece! I do love the dressing up though. x #BloggerClubUK
Yeah, we did too 🙂 It would be a great excuse to dress up haha x
We never did trick or treating growing up as my parents used to say it was begging, but these days it has become much more Americanised I think and more widely celebrated? My children are too young to go trick or treating, I hate when young children come to the door late at night when they should be in bed, but my eldest goes with his friends and comes home with an amazing haul each year! #BloggerClubUK
Same here but I agree that we are becoming more Americanised and it’s seen as more normal now. They usually come before 7 here so it’s not so bad and there’s never many. Good to hear your little one does well 🙂
I live in Canada where it seems to be much more the norm. Of course, it means ski suits under costumes because there’s often snow on the ground.
I don’t have kids but I think it’s a sweet tradition and in my young neighbourhood, we received about 200 kids last year, so though I don’t really get into it and don’t decorate, I put the light on and a pumpkin out, but neither are necessary as there will be a steady stream.
I don’t think I’d fancy it in the snow lol! It sounds great, that so many people get involved 🙂
My kids absolutely loved trick or treating when they were younger and to be honest, probably still do! Around our way there is an understanding that if a house is decorated you can knock and if not just leave it. Alison x #bloggerclubuk
That’s a great system when everyone knows who’s up for the fun and who isn’t x
Great post. We’re not huge fans of halloweens, but we’re happy to indulge those who knock on our door and try to make sure we have a few goodies to give out. We dont get too many trick or treaters our way so its really not too bad, but I love your tips – common sense and good etiquette but you’d be surprised at how many people actually dont do all of these things! Emily #BloggerClubUK
I love Halloween. We don’t get many here either but the few who do come make the effort. I can well imagine!
I haven’t been since I was a kid and even then I think it was only once or twice but this year now little man is older, he wants to get involved so I’m thinking the three of us should get dressed up and have a bit of fun! We will likely go to only the people we know on our street so hopefully they will be wanting to take part! We will see! #bloggerclubuk
Sounds fun Jaki, its a good excuse to get dressed up 🙂
I’ve always been quite uncomfortable with Trick or Treating and not sure how I’ll feel when my daughter is of an age to want to do that. I remember a couple of years ago I had two thirty somethings trick or treat at my door – I was so shocked I just handed the sweets over! #bloggerclubuk
Wow, that’s a new league of taking the mickey! I personally think once they’re teenagers it’s a bit much but at that age it’s ridiculous! I think I probably would have done the same just out of shock too!
It wasn’t a thing when I was a kid – the whole trick or treating. However, it is now huge in our house and area and it rivals Christmas as far as my daughter is concerned! We always decorate and around here the rule of thumb is generally only to knock where there is a pumpkin. We tend to have a party or go to one so there is always plenty of adults and we call it a day quite early. I’m not keen on knocks after 9pm especially from bigger kids and I always tell them it’s a bit too late. Thanks for hosting #bloggerclubuk
That sounds so much fun! I like the pumpkin idea, you know you’ll get a nice reception at those houses. I agree about keeping the times sensible
I don’t mind it when it’s younger children, but when you get groups of older ones in their teens I feel they’re just trying to get something for nothing! #BloggerClubUK
Iiiiii… want candy!
Lol 🙂
We just stick to houses that have pumpkins etc outside, and I wouldn’t let my son go trick or treating over the age of about ten xx
Yes, I think there has to be a limit when kids get older x
Great tips for those thinking of going trick or treating this year. We have a party either at ours or join an organised one at soft play. But the girls have been asking about visiting houses in our street but I haven’t made my mind up yet. #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 A party is a great idea!
We live in a close, so every year we just go to the houses in the close and with the children that live in the close. We all go in one group so it’s only one knock at each door. People who don’t want to participate are given a sticker to put on their door.
Super organised I know! But it works great.
I am the same as above, I would hate to annoy people and I think there is an unwritten rule about having a pumpkin or some decorations outside your house to show you want to be involved.
I think it’s exciting for little kids but I’m not sure I’ll let my kids go out on their own when they’re older. We’ll have to see. I like to see an adult somewhere in the background (supervising!). 🙂
#BloggerClubUK
I think that’s a great system – organised works well. It keeps up the excitement for the kiddies because everywhere they go they are getting a response and it saves bothering neighbours who don’t want to join in.
I am a complete Baaaa Humbug when it comes to any annual events such as these!
I just ignore the door .. 🙂
It’s not for everyone 🙂
sorry #BloggerClubUK
I never did this growing up (born in the mid 70s am I too old??) and have never really got but now I have a son, I do take him but only to places we know #BloggerClubUK
I was born in the early 80s and it was just starting to take off when I was old enough to go, although we never actually went.
Good advice here, I have to admit it annoys me when trick or treaters are older teenagers and they have only bothered to put a mask on and nothing else…. #BloggerClubUK
Thank you 🙂 Yeah, same here – if teenagers must insist on going, they should at least make an effort!
Oh this such an interesting one. In Brighton we have a red lantern thing, where if you have one on the porch, you are up for trick or treaters! I think it’s a good way as some people just aren’t interested in taking part. Thanks for hosting #bloggerclubuk x
That’s a great idea, I wish we had something like that here! x
Halloween is great if it’s organised. So phone ahead let your friends know to expect you. #BloggerClubUK
Great suggestion phoning ahead 🙂
I’m a humbug when it comes to Halloween and honestly have no idea why it’s become so huge. One of the great things about moving to Malta was that it wasn’t celebrated due to the Devil thing and this being a Catholic country. Sadly the Maltese have lost their heads to it and it’s really big now although knocking on doors 1st October is new on me! Yikes that would drive me nuts. I do take my kids trick or treating after trying every trick in the book to get out of it ha ha but yes we keep restrained and polite and only knock on the doors of those who’ve decorated. Psyching myself up for it after reading this ha ha. #Bloggerclubuk
It just sort of crept up didn’t it. When I was a kid, it wasn’t really celebrated, now everyone’s into it.
I have to say this year has been different – I haven’t had any knocks yet which is a bonus. I don’t mind trick or treaters but only on 31st.
Enjoy Prabs haha 🙂
Actually I have never understood the claim that it is begging. I don’t think it is begging. Technically, it is threatening and extortion! It is a demand for something in return for not doing something bad to the person – it’s a toddler protection racket! 😉 Of course, very few, if any, people actually carry out the trick part these days (which perhaps does bring it round to begging!)
I never did it as a child because my mum did think it was morally wrong. I do think she had good points but, though I never thought I would, I did take my toddler trick or treating last year. I now have revised rules – I think it is okay in certain circumstances.
I think, as you say, it should be only young children. I think, though I’m sure they just see it as a bit of fun, groups of teens do make vulnerable people feel intimidated, and there is no need for them to be doing it really. Particularly as teens actually have other Halloween entertainment options like parties, haunted houses, zombie experiences, etc, which are not open for little kids. Little kids actually miss a lot of Halloween options because they tend to be at night. I find that for my little ones – they love Halloween and the dressing up, but it can be hard to find things for them to do once dressed up.
My other rule axtually is the sticking to decorated houses. I actually think that is a very effective method, and one that wasn’t followed when I was a kid. It seems to have taken off round here in recent years, though I agree it never used to be a UK thing. & houses that don’t want to all out decorate, but still welcome the kids generally at least put up a trick or treat sign round my way. It’s what we did last year & it worked really well, as it meant that the whole thing was basically voluntary, willing participation. People who wanted trick or treaters advertised it, the trick or treaters only went to the houses welcoming them and did not bother anyone else. For the most part, it was the same families rotating the blocks and welcoming others to their houses too (many of us left bags of sweets outside when we went out for people who came to our house while we were trick or treating ourselves!) Doing it that way actually gave it quite a nice community feel of a fun activity just for the people who wanted to play.
I do agree with you, though, that as long as you leave if you receive no response from one knock that is probably okay too. But, if you do live in an area like mine where loads of houses do decorate, I think it is a pretty good idea to follow the principle of just going to those houses, as I’m sure the constant knocks are pretty irritating for the people not participating and trying to ignore them! #BloggerClubUK
I love the idea of it being a toddler protection racket lol!
It’s definitely hard to find suitable activities for young children where a lot of the parties etc will be too much for them. I love the sound of your neighbourhood – it sounds like a lot really get into it and have fun with it 🙂
I love Halloween. We all dress up. Last year I dressed up as a ghost pirate and scared all the kids who called to the door before giving them chocolate (of course)
Oh this sounds like so much fun!
I have no problem loading up stranger’s kids with candy, HA! We’re past trick or treat age, so we buy candy and stay in watching scary movies. (I can’t say I’m disappointed. Shh!)
Trick or Treating is huge here in the United States so yes, I remember Trick or Treating every Halloween night growing up…. until sometime high school. Then when my kids were little we began Trick or Treating with them. The “rule” here in the states is to only knock on doors of houses that have outside lights on; many keep a candy bowl in view of the door too so you know it’s okay to knock. All ages are welcome by most as long as you are wearing a proper costume. We even had a few people give out candy to us as mom and dad for walking the kids around. It was really sweet and totally unnecessary since we often tuck into their bags of candy once they go to bed for the night anyway. Now that my kids are past that stage we just buy our own candy and watch movies (which I much prefer!). BUT, it was fun while it lasted.