General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIs anyone else turning off the lights and pretending they're not home on Halloween?
Many of the school districts in my state have been able to mandate masks in school in defiance of the idiot governor and as they battle it out in court. It has slowed the spread in the schools. But still, there is an approximate 54% vaccination rate around here and I don't want the unvaccinated standing at my front door. No Halloween at my house this year, again.
secondwind
(16,903 posts)Raven
(13,886 posts)csziggy
(34,135 posts)It's roughly a quarter of a mile from the rural road to my house (crooked driveway) and we've never gotten a single trick or treater here.
Raven
(13,886 posts)Amishman
(5,554 posts)Not having trick or treaters is a pro for me.
csziggy
(34,135 posts)Beakybird
(3,332 posts)I wish I could be left alone! They see the cars, and they ring the doorbell anyway.
HAB911
(8,876 posts)GoCubsGo
(32,078 posts)Just leaving the porch light off is sufficient around here.
JustAnotherGen
(31,798 posts)We celebrate one year, do tricks or treats next year, and so on and so forth.
Last year was our 'celebration' year so nowhere to go really (I'm immune compromised). And due to no immunization - we didn't give tricks or treats either.
Getting my booster shot Thursday after work so we can celebrate THIS year. Squeeeeee!
So nope - no Tricks or Treats last year - and none this year. I think we are doing a haunted walking door and sitting outside for dinner. Husband's turn to plan our Halloween 'cute meet' date.
Demsrule86
(68,539 posts)sister died and was waked on our anniversary years ago. She was only 41.
JustAnotherGen
(31,798 posts)Demsrule86
(68,539 posts)basically...fighting over silly things. And we were supposed to go to her apartment in the city the week she died...we had a big blowout and didn't got to the ocean to see my brothers in LI the week before so we moved everything up by a week so we went Long Island the week we were supposed to go to her house (the idea being we would go the next week) and she died alone on Saturday they think...we should have been there. The silver lining is we both grew up finally and stopped the crap, went to therapy and worked things out...we have four lovely kids and a rock-solid marriage today...can't imagine life without my husband. He is the love of my life but boy we could be assholes when we were young. To this day, I still regret the argument we had that made us not go to visit her that weekend...and wonder what if?
FoxNewsSucks
(10,428 posts)Porch & yard lights on, watching out the door or window - come on up!
Lights off, no one around - keep walking.
It's not hard to tell who does and doesn't want trick-or-treaters.
hlthe2b
(102,197 posts)show up in more than 5 years. I actually bought candy as I usually do to put out at the curb on the sidewalk last year. But, none was taken, so I don't know that I'm even going to buy it this year. I certainly don't NEED it.
I don't know where parents take them, but most seem reluctant to do the "door-to-door" thing for some time.
jmowreader
(50,552 posts)Ill have my lights off because I really wont be home on Halloween. I never am on Saturday night.
SoCalNative
(4,613 posts)Halloween is on Sunday
jmowreader
(50,552 posts)And I work Sunday night too.
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)Last year, there were hardly any porch lights on. And I expect the same this year. I havent given out candy in years. I got tired of all of the adults coming to the door without any costume.
I think most of the schools in the area host trunk or treat and most kids do that nowadays around here.
gojoe12
(92 posts)in hopes of trick or treaters. We had nothing last year but this with 73 % of people 12 and up vaccinated I feel comfortable along with the rest of my neighborhood in having Halloween.
lindysalsagal
(20,648 posts)I did it all the years my daughter was out trick or treating.
UTUSN
(70,672 posts)piddyprints
(14,642 posts)Since we moved to TN, out in the county. Not worth chancing it, I guess, since the house is not visible from the driveway entrance. I dont miss it. If we still lived in a neighborhood in FL, lights would be off.
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)every year.
luvs2sing
(2,220 posts)but it was cold and rainy and hardly anyone was out. This year, we will be on the front porch with the candy bowls just like every other year. Only exception is we will be masked.
Maraya1969
(22,474 posts)CousinIT
(9,238 posts)... or two who are evidently not up to speed on the etiquette that if lights are off and no decorations are out, they can just pass that house.
Bev54
(10,045 posts)neighborhoods are having it outdoors. A table etc outside on the driveway with someone manning it to give out the candy. Some who could not man it left out large amounts asking that the kids only take one or two and it worked pretty well. I would not want to take this too, away from the kids, they have lost so much already. I live in Canada and it can be cold but we do it for the kids. I live in a condo but I go and hand out candy for my son and wife so they can take the kids around or often one of them to hockey. I want the kids to feel as normal as possible in this day.
relayerbob
(6,544 posts)And, oddly, enough, most of the Hallowwen parties are in churches. Go figure.
orleans
(34,043 posts)knock off the beloved pagan celebration but it just didn't go over as they had hoped
so now the parties are in churches? lol
what do they give out? miniature bibles, a dashboard jesus here and there, little crucifixes? and, just to get the kids in to the parties, they hand out candies.
Lunabell
(6,075 posts)I'm not a Halloween Grinch, but we have 5 dogs and all the bell ringing makes them crazy.
CTyankee
(63,900 posts)themaguffin
(3,825 posts)radicalleft
(478 posts)for the kiddos...
I figure for the 20 seconds they are standing in my doorway no higher than my chest, I feel awfully safe. I go to work in a factory everyday surrounded by t-humpers so the chances that some random little kid standing outside of my front door for mere seconds will result in my death is pretty much nil
displacedtexan
(15,696 posts)We bought one of those Granny Grabber things that extends so I can reach the top shelves in the kitchen. We used it last year to hand little bundles of candy out the window. Flashing orange lights and a big Jack-O'-Lantern signaled the presence of Candy. BTW, Costco has cases of full size* Hershey bars and good prices on individually wrapped bite size treats.
* Not the original full size bars but still big enough to impress today's kids.
radicalleft
(478 posts)riversedge
(70,182 posts)last year. they are 4 and 6 yr old now. talking talking about halloween already.
FSogol
(45,470 posts)We hand out candy (and Utz pretzels) to all the kids. Last year, kids mostly social distanced. We had a table between us and them and placed candy on the table for them. We have a good time.
we can do it
(12,180 posts)lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)MissB
(15,805 posts)There is one street in the neighborhood where people TOT. Its not my street, so Im off the hook.
nolabear
(41,959 posts)Sadly we hardly get any but I will leave a bowl of goodies and a bottle of hand sanitizer out in the lap of my skeleton. Maybe I can get it to hold the bottle!
I love Halloween. But then I'm from a place where people decorate like mad and dress up for everything from Saint Patrick's Day to Halfway to Mardi Gras (I actually saw an impromptu parade for that!) It's actually my favorite New Orleans holiday--fewer tourists and lots of local fun.
Sadly everything is dialed back everywhere, but I hope it gets better. I think simple, silly fun is tremendously good for us.
Happy Hoosier
(7,277 posts)I will use it again this year.
FSogol
(45,470 posts)Response to Happy Hoosier (Reply #30)
Happy Hoosier This message was self-deleted by its author.
redwitch
(14,944 posts)Wouldnt miss Halloween, I loved it as a kid and still do.
Happy Hoosier
(7,277 posts)ProfessorGAC
(64,983 posts)Same as last year, I'll watch out the window, go out on the porch when kids come, pass out goodies with my mask on.
rockfordfile
(8,701 posts)HipChick
(25,485 posts)GumboYaYa
(5,942 posts)We sat on the front porch and wished them all Happy Halloween as they walked by and took their no contact candy. It worked very well. We will probably do it again this year.
Zeitghost
(3,856 posts)I'll be on the beach in Oahu.
jmowreader
(50,552 posts)In July I was there, and used bus passes ($5.50 per day, sold at some ABC stores) to get around. One day I was waiting for a bus when a nice young couple beside me started pulling out the cash to get on the bus.
You know about bus passes, right? $5.50 and you can ride all day.
Shit! Weve been here four days and didnt know about those. Wed have saved a ton of money.
Zeitghost
(3,856 posts)We will not be renting a car and although we don't have too many plans this time other than relaxing (I have been accused by my better half of turning vacations into death marches trying to do and see it all), I'm sure we will want to go see a few things or do some shopping.
jmowreader
(50,552 posts)I always got my passes at the ABC at the corner of Lemon Road and Paoakalani Avenue. If youre not that far down, dont fret
ABC stores in Honolulu are as thick as Starbucks in Seattle, and they know the closest one that sells bus passes. Kuhio seems to be the principal bus route in Waikiki, and quite a few buses take you to the big hub at Ala Moana Center
which, if youre in the shopping mood, is a must-see.
One thing you will not like: they dont post on the bus stops a list of where the buses go. On my first full day I wanted to go to Pearl Harbor and accidentally got on the bus to Liliha Street
which was pretty cool because Liliha is not touristy.
WarGamer
(12,426 posts)100% of them don't need anything given to them in my neighborhood...
Iggo
(47,547 posts)CrackityJones75
(2,403 posts)Jeez come on. This is an outdoor activity. If they are being forced to go to school you want to punish them for doing something that would offer them normalcy?????
Good lord if you are handing out candy wear a mask. Open the door, drop candy in their bag.
Sometimes this place leaves me shaking my head.
GusBob
(7,286 posts)this thread validates some characteristics I am becoming more aware of about DUers
obnoxiousdrunk
(2,909 posts)Iggo
(47,547 posts)nolabear
(41,959 posts)I don't get it. Where's wonder and delight and imagination? What gets us through the hard times like these? Wonder and delight and imagination! And chocolate. Can't forget chocolate.
panader0
(25,816 posts)to walk down that long dark road leading in. But, no, I wouldn't want Halloweeners if they came around.
spinbaby
(15,088 posts)Last year we set up a card table at the end of our front walk and filled a large plastic pumpkin with candy for self service. It seemed to work wellno major candy hoardersand we got to see the kids from a distance. Lots of ninjas last year.
DFW
(54,330 posts)That is mostly in English-speaking countries. We get a few, especially if the families have lived in the USA before, and we always have something for them, but it's maybe three or four at most. This year, I think I have to be down in Switzerland that day, anyhow.
Runningdawg
(4,516 posts)Decor has been up for a week but before sundown on Halloween the gates will be locked and grab bags will be clipped to the fence, first come, first serve. I will enjoy watching the parade from the porch.
FakeNoose
(32,617 posts)My neighborhood has a few younger families with kids who might go out on Halloween. But last year I had to eat my own candy because nobody came to the door. I'll be ready again this year, not sure if any kids will come though.
totodeinhere
(13,058 posts)I am fully vaccinated and I follow all the guidelines, but I am not going to bury my head in the sand and stop living. Plus the positivity rate in my country is below 5% so I don't think it's a big risk.
Raine
(30,540 posts)I live on a street with only three houses, it's not worth their time to come around.
xmas74
(29,673 posts)And decorated it for Halloween. We put the candy on the table as each kid stepped up. If they crowded the table we said to set back a bit and one at a time.
We never touched, wore masks and it worked. I might continue this long after covid because it was orderly.
Tree Lady
(11,446 posts)This year I think I will put bowl next to table outside my scarecrow guys are sitting on, its down a bit from front door.
MustLoveBeagles
(11,587 posts)We'll be decorating as soon as the rain stops. We'll have the cauldron with sandwich baggies
Response to madaboutharry (Original post)
MustLoveBeagles This message was self-deleted by its author.
Bettie
(16,084 posts)having people hand out candy from the trunks of their cars on main street.
Because what says child safety like teaching them to take candy from strangers in cars.
madaboutharry
(40,201 posts)I agree. It is a dangerous message.
Bettie
(16,084 posts)"trunk or treat" and the kids all line up to take candy from strangers in cars.
Ah well.
GulfCoast66
(11,949 posts)We have a good many kids each year. Many from less affluent neighborhoods which is fine by me.
They will each get a handful of candy. Outside where its all good.
I can still remember almost 50 years ago how much fun it was for me to trick or treat. We did not have candy at home and Ive never been a fan. Except for Almond Joy bars. Love those things.
Ill do my part to insure kids still get this night of fun. Its harmless and fun. I like seeing the kids in their costumes and how they change through the years.
nightthinker
(268 posts)...and in my years of living here, no child has ever come to the door for any reason.
shanti
(21,675 posts)Happy Hoosier
(7,277 posts)Man... you people must be fun at parties!
I mean to each his own, I guess.
I love the festival atmosphere, and I love the "magic." A sense of community is important, IMO.
I actually decorate my house fairly elaborately. Lighting, sound, props... nothing too gross or scary. My house has become something of a "destination" trick or treat location in the area. People come to see what I added this year. I love it. I have so much fun!
This year I have converted my formal dining room into a Haunted Wedding Feast. The table is set with fake china, covered in fake spiders and spider webs. Fake wedding cake, a fake rat.... spooky candelabras.... and a SPOOKY Ghost Bride. My dining room is actually what is supposed to be a formal living room, but I don't need a formal living room. So, the Dining Room is now a library and the living room is the dining room. It has a great three sided end with huge windows, so it is ideal for putting a haunted room in that will be visible to visitors as they pass it on the way to the front door. Can't wait to see the visitors' reactions this year.
GusBob
(7,286 posts)Curmudgeons is a very accurate term
The image of folks of a certain age, hiding in their house, "pretending" makes me just
redwitch
(14,944 posts)And no one comes closer than 8 feet. We sit on the decorated front porch and instruct the kids to put their treat bags under the chute and the candy slides down to them. Its so much fun we are making it a regular part of trick or treating forever!
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)We really miss our old Los Angeles neighborhood at Halloween. Children everywhere you looked, busy evening. Loved it. Including the teens arriving later who were holding onto this nice part of their childhoods just a bit longer.
Demsrule86
(68,539 posts)Tarc
(10,476 posts)New residence this year, not sure how busy this neighborhood is, we'll see in a few weeks.
madaboutharry
(40,201 posts)In past years kids loved my house, Kit-Kat Bars and Hershey Bars galore. But I live in a Red State with a wanting vaccination rate. I cant risk it. There are immune compromised and elderly people in my immediate family.
I love Halloween, but it will have to wait until next year.