Trick or Treat---Bahhhhhh Humbug I say!

[M R Dux]

When we were kids 50+ years ago, Halloween meant visiting our family and close neighbors for home-made candy, caramel apples, popcorn balls, and sometimes full sized candy bars. We never went to over 6-8 houses and never to somebody's house we didn't know. Our costumes rarely included any bought items like masks. It was a simpler time for sure.

Today my wife and I live in one of the nicer, established subdivisions in our town. Our street is a long hill that joins a couple of other subdivisions at the top of the hill. When we built the house, our kids were already junior high and older so they didn't get into trick-or-treat other than handing out candy at the door. They are both all grown up and have their own homes close to ours (for that we are thankful). Trick-or-treat has gone from having a few dozen kids come by to having as many as 400 (friends around the corner have had as many as 500) little moochers from who the heck knows where. They show up on golf carts (2 blocks to city golf course),ATV/UTVs pulling trailers or carts, SUVs with what look like clown cars so packed full that they can't shut the doors. Getting up our street is futile for about 4 hours. An emergency like a fire would render response impossible. It seems like kids are being bussed from who knows where into the neighborhood

We got so fed up with all the crap, especially groups of up to a dozen teenagers in street clothes beating the door down to mooch, that my wife and I have made Halloween our once on a blue-moon date night with the whole deal---nice meal, shopping and maybe even a movie even though I hate Hollywierd and everything about it.

The 1st year we did this about 3-4 years ago, one of our neighbors called and asked my wife "Where the H*** are you guys?" My wife told her we were enjoying a wonderful supper at Olive Garden in Paducah, about 30 miles from our home. She then told my wife that she and her husband wanted to go wherever we were going the next Halloween (that was their 1st year living next to us).

We have had folks tell us we were the smart ones in the area while others think it is terrible for us to have our lights turned off and be gone until at least 10PM. We consider ourselves to be very giving by nature and would be willing to help somebody in need. We just don't see feeding the sugar addiction of 400 kids we have no idea who or where they came from is our civic duty as good people.

Anybody else have similar experiences?

[dallman]

I think they bus the kids in to my neighbor hood. I'll talk to the wife I like you idea.

Don

[Redge]

Wow that's a lot of kids. In our neighborhood it's still like you described as a kid. Although the masks are popular.

[crp4570]

There are years third street in fulton have over 900-1000 treaters. We have a gentleman count them every year. Some like you Doug take a night out. Other actually make it a family and friend come over night. The department block off the streets in such a manner to increase safety and establish a police presence.

Me, I'm glad I'm retired. I tend to enjoy peace and quiet. After approximately 28 years of public service, I like down time. My issue was with the treaters that are late teens who have no business treating like the younger ones. However, each to their own opinions.

[CrappiePappy]

After the threat of razor blades & needles in candy & fruit, the local malls and some businesses started having Trick or Treat there, so most kids go to those places. It's safer, and more lucrative than walking several blocks to find the few houses giving out candy.

I live in a apt complex, and haven't had anyone come to my door in 20+ years. What few kids that do come to this area will walk the streets and go to the duplex's across the street (with lights on), but none come through the complex.

But, my buddy that lives in an upscale neighborhood & knows that there's only a couple of kids on his block, says they do bus kids in from somewhere ... and he doesn't decorate or leave the lights on, and doesn't answer the door, if he's home.

[fiveeyes]

Mr Dux.. you are not alone..wife and I do the same..enjoy your time together

[Ranger R61]

We do not turn on any outside lights. Also, not lights on in the rooms that could be seen from the street.

[fiveeyes]

Leaving for the bar/grill in 30 min

[JET4]

We do not turn on any outside lights. Also, not lights on in the rooms that could be seen from the street.

That's what we do

[Jakesdad]

You are not alone. If the wife and kids arent home to answer the door,its lights out and down to the basement I go for the night. Kids still knock/ring the doorbell on a dark house tho.