Halloween

Ooh I know just what you mean purplepeach - Halloween is not a time I look forward to either. Quite often I pretend I am out too, it saves any hassle from teenagers or tearaways. Mind you we are quite lucky where we live now so it is not too much of a problem.

I have a little tip for you and others out there though for the future.

A few years ago I had a Halloween party at my house where we all had to dress up. Over the course of the evening when someone knocked on the door I went out flung the door open and said 'Trick or Treat' in my scary clothing and scary voice....The people the other side of the door looked a little stunned and we all ended up laughing. It worked well that year!

Seriously though I know it can be a problem in some areas and it can be a frightening time for elderly people. Another tip is for people to sellotape their letterboxes shut from the inside just for that night so that things can't be pushed through. Seems a bit extreme I know but best to be safe than sorry!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN BY THE WAY 🙂

The first year we moved back to the UK from Thailand some kids came to the door trick and treating. My husband opened the door but hadn't a clue what Halloween was all about so he politely said he didn't understand it and closed the door. The little bu**ers then proceeded to put a sparkler through our letterbox!!!:mad:

So...... no we don't encourage it .

Love

That's where taping up of the letterbox comes in very handy Lotusflower :rollaugh: xx

I'd never given that one thought - things being put through the letter box? You're right sellotape it up that's a good idea. Like you, I live an a nice area, but don't you think the nice area's attract the teenagers, as they think we will be more generous. It's a funny 'ol' night isn't it? It only seems to be in the last 5 years or so that it's all a big deal in the shops aswell They are stocking up already in my ASDA.

I'd never given that one thought - things being put through the letter box? You're right sellotape it up that's a good idea. Like you, I live an a nice area, but don't you think the nice area's attract the teenagers, as they think we will be more generous. It's a funny 'ol' night isn't it? It only seems to be in the last 5 years or so that it's all a big deal in the shops aswell They are stocking up already in my ASDA.

I live in a nice area, Purple!!! These kids were from "over the way". We hadn't expected them to put things through the letterbox as were still probably a bit niaive at the time.

That's what I meant Lotusflower, the nice areas like your sattract the hoodlums (funny word that) from elsewhere. They don't pester on their own doorstep.

Where we live it starts as soon as it gets dark. As Purplepeach says, the little ones are so cute and usually shy and its lovely to see them. You can forget about sitting down that evening, constantly at the door handing out the goodies. Then comes 9 or 10pm and the older kids call, some even having the cheek to ask for money! I usually save the apples for them, most of them not even dressed up!

Last year we had some girls of around 14 dressed as "bunny girls" wearing bunny ears, hotpants and little else, (plus they were a little merry with whatever alcohol they got their hands on) - not very safe for them to be wandering around not to mind knocking on strangers doors. What I dislike is the bangers going off, they have started here already, sets all the dogs barking at night, frightens the children.

My mum too lives alone as she always feels nervous on Halloween night. I feel nervous too for my own children going out, they are only allowed in the immediate neighbourhood. I will be glad when its over!

Blessings,

Rachel.

P.S. We tape our letterbox too, just in case!!!

I don't normally worry about Halloween, as have never been 'bothered' too much by kids in the past. But that could be about to change and I do not know what to expect!!! Have recently moved to Sheffield (2 months ago) from Plymouth. Although we are in a 'nice' area just like Purplepeach, I have no way of knowing whether to expect lots of knocks or just a few. aaaagh! only a little while away now - "To stock or not to Stock with goodies" that is the question lol

I'm with you guys on this one.

I'm on my own most evenings so hate answering the door in the dark if I don't know who is there. I also detest this "trick or treat" thing as I think it's a form of blackmail - if you don't cough up what the kids want - you worry what damage could be done (like awful cases of expensive things homes and cars damaged - which could cause loss of life). I think it's the wrong signal to send out to children - you don't get what you want then you damage something. I live in a nice area but I'm still amazed that parents let their kids wander around unsupervised so late - don't they care where they are or what they do or even what could happen to them ?

Hot on the tail of Halloween is Bonfire night which is awful as well. I don't mind fireworks but things are getting stupid. We have:

- people letting off fireworks weeks before and after the event. An absolute nightmare if you have pets who hate fireworks or as i've read in the papers - a guide dog that needs re-training. It should be kept to November 5th and that's that.
- people letting off fireworks in dangerous areas like the street etc
- people letting off fireworks at ridiculous times like 1 or 2 in the morning. How stupid and incosiderate is that ?

Phew rant over !!!

I keep the outside lights switched off, and stay at the back of the house. Halloween in the UK has just become an opportunity for kids to extort sugar in quantities that could supply a nation with energy, from complete strangers! I used to enjoy seeing the little ones dressed up - having given a bit of thought to an outfit - now they all go round the area in gangs dressed in identical off-the-shelf stuff from the local Asda. Most of them have no idea what 'trick or treat' means. I hate being an old killjoy, but I will not be opening the door this year. And just don't get me started on the fireworks........

I think I'll stock up on some healthy treats for my callers this Halloween. I usually turn into an old grump and think oh no when it gets to 6.30 or 7.00 and wait for the doorbell to go. Some of the kids in the neighbourhood do some really mean tricks. But this year I shall try to get into the spirit of it all.
Luv Binah
xx

Simple solution.....electric gates, a long driveway and 3 big black dogs;)

Simple solution.....electric gates, a long driveway and 3 big black dogs;)

Yeah! I would get the first two, but I think Yorkies are better as they can bite ankles. ha ha

Ah isn't it awfull that the majority of us, will hide away this halloween at the back of our houses and pretend not to be in because the big kids are so imtimidating and even if they are friendly, behind those masks, they still frighten us. It would be lovely if theren was a rule that you could only take part up to the age of say, 13 then we could oblige the younger ones that get dressed up, make an effort, smile and say thank you when you give them their treat. However if it was a rule there is always someone out the to break it!

Then we have November 5th which has already been mentioned, I suppose that's another - topic?

You could all go out and celebrate this wonderful Celtic Festival......steeped in tradition and legend.......It marks the opening of Winter and the beginning of the Celtic New Year......Then you wouldn't have to avoid opening your front doors

Here's a link:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hallo_cu.htm

Oakapple xx