What's happening to Halloween?
By jillbeth
@jillbeth (2705)
United States
November 1, 2007 6:50am CST
Our family has always enjoyed Halloween, and I love seeing the little children in their adorable costumes, but after last night’s festivities, I think next year I am leaving off the porch light and saving my money.
Each year, we get fewer trick-or-treaters, and every year the ones that do come just don’t seem to have the right Halloween spirit, not to mention the lack of courtesy. Most children just stand at the door, without saying a word, with their goodie bags shoved in my direction. If I do get a “trick-or-treat” out of them, it’s as morose as if they are telling me their dog just died! Some don’t even bother to put on a decent costume anymore! It’s all about the free candy.
Not that the free candy wasn’t one of the main motives when I was still young enough to enjoy going around knocking on doors! But we usually made our own costumes, and gave a raucous “TRICK OR TREAT!” when the door opened.
Now, if kids do have a costume, it is an elaborate affair from the department store that costs more than the amount of candy they manage to snarf. Come on, parents! Tell your kids to use a little imagination; they could use the practice. Or just buy them $30 worth of candy and let them stay home so grandma doesn’t have to wind her feeble way to the door every five minutes.
This is my method of handling trick-or-treaters: If you aren’t wearing a costume, you don’t get candy. One young fellow had on his street clothes and was carrying his ghoul mask in his hand. I asked where his costume was and he motioned to the mask. I told him he had to put his costume on before he got candy from me!
I deal with the ones who just stand there and look at me by just standing there and looking back at them. I usually have to prompt them with “What do you say?” Then you have some who just stick their hands in the candy bowl before I even get a chance to offer.
One group of young people, who were already old enough to have jobs and buy their own candy, came up to the door. I got a quiet “trick-or-treat” out of the leader. “Come on,” I said, “is that the best you can do?” They all laughed and I got a hearty “TRICK OR TREAT” out of the group! That’s how you do it! I do have to give the group credit for some decent costumes, though. One girl had made a taco shell out of cardboard and had lettuce and tomatoes (not the real ones, you understand, but fabric) on her chest. Maybe there is hope for some of our youth today after all.
I always set them straight with good humor. I don’t want to be rude to little kids or hurt their feelings, but I don’t feel obligated to pass candy out to grabby, insolent little ghouls either.
Why don’t kids have Halloween manners anymore? Apparently no one is teaching them how it’s supposed to be done. Or is it just a reflection of society’s lack of manners in general?
So be warned, if you come trick-or-treating at my house next year (if I leave the light on, that is), you’d better have on a home made costume and yell “TRICK OR TREAT” at me at a volume that can be heard on the next block. If you don’t, you might just find a rock in your goodie bag when you get home!
3 people like this
14 responses
@THKOhio (329)
• United States
1 Nov 07
While I agree about the trick or treaters needing to have better manners, I don't think it's fair to insist that they all have homemade costumes. Some people just don't have the creative talent, or the time it takes. And....any costume I've ever made for myself or my children has cost a LOT more than the ones we buy at the store.
3 people like this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
1 Nov 07
Yes, I understand that making a home made costume can be expensive! I guess my point is that when I was a kid you didn't have to break the bank to buy one! They are just so elaborate now. I guess I enjoyed making my own costume because I knew it would be unique and that I wouldn't run into myself coming down the street!
1 person likes this
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Your quite right, many kids nowadays don't have proper manners. It took mine a couple of houses before she got into it. At first she was pretty quiet too. If you do ever see her out trick or treating don't be surprised to see a viking following her.
Whats in vwour vallet...
1 person likes this
@Dask1221 (160)
• United States
1 Nov 07
I feel the same way you do. I think it's a reflection of the parents. Parents aren't teaching their kids any creativity anymore, let alone manners and what having fun at the holidays is all about. Personally, my husband and I didn't make our son's costume this year. We bought it, but only because I know I couldn't have done a very good job at making one that was fitting for my son. My son loves Toy Story 1 & 2, absolutely loves them. He jumps around the house pretending he's shooting his laser and trying to say "to infinity and beyond" (which doesn't come out the best since he's only 2 1/2, but it's incredibly adorable), so when my husband found a Buzz Lightyear costume in the right size at Walmart, I thought "it's perfect"! Any my son was adorable in his costume. He loves it so much that he's been wearing it all day today to pretend in. And when we took him trick-or-treating last night, I got him to say trick-or-treat and thank you as much as possible. I am the kind of parent that feels kids need to be taught manners early on and that too many parents today don't give a crap about teaching their kids anything, much less manners and morals. To me, that's just crappy! I would be the same way as you if I actually stayed home to pass out candy. And there is a point when you're too old to still be going trick-or-treating. I think 13 should be the cut-off. That's when they say kids become teenagers, and teenagers are old enough to be having or going to parties on Halloween, or going to haunted houses with a chaperone at least. Trick-or-treating should be for the little ones who still have/use their imaginations and are in it for the right spirit (if they've been taught right).
1 person likes this
@clrumfelt (5597)
• Tennessee Ridge, Tennessee
1 Nov 07
I had a bowl of suckers to give out to the trick
or treaters on
Halloween. Last year we had 2 big bowls of the
tootsie roll suckers and nobody came by. I took what was
left last year and put it in a cannister and that's what
we had for this year. We didn't even buy any more. Ours
is a small community and there arent many kids, so why bother with it?
One little fellow did come by with his dad. He held out his bag and I
prompted him to say trick or
treat and then I put a handful of suckers in his bag. He
looked up and said, "Is that all ya got?" So I said yes,
and gave him some more. He was the only one who came by
so I have the rest of the tootsie pops put in a cannister
for next year.
My son also wanted to go trick or treating. He is 12 and
this will probably be his last year so I agreed to take him. He didn't
want to wear a costume because he thot the
kids his age wouldn't be wearing them. He is at the age
to be a little self conscious, but I took him anyway, and
he enjoyed it. He was wrong about the kids his age not
wearing costumes. Most of them did.
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
1 Nov 07
You are right, to some people it is all about the candy. Last night I took my daughter out and saw many parents dressed up with bags in their hands. Now that is goig a bit too far. It is kind of like the parents who take a newborn around with a bucket. I feel like asking if they plan on keeping that candy for 3 years until that child is able to eat it.
As for my kids, they are all into the halloween spirit. My 19 yr old even dressed up to go to a party with his friends. No trick or treating for them~ they are way too old for that.
My 16 yr old went trick or treating with his friends. I wasn't sure what the adults would think of them, but they were all out just for a good time. They all dressed up great. My son was a clown and he looked great!
My 13 yr old went around with his friends for the first time with no parents. His friend said he wasn't dressing and my son told him that he wouldn't be able to hang out with him then because you don't go trick or treating with out a costume. My 13 yr old finally convinced him to dress up and even supplied him with a costume. My 13 yr old wore a bee costume that my 7 yr old wore when she was 5. It was hysterical! I can't believe he is thin enough to get into it!
My daughter started out the night as a homemade tree. It was cute, but too hard to manuver in, so we went to our alternate costume we brought which was a cat.
My kids all know to say Trick or treat very loudly and then Thank You very loudly. That is part of the whole ritual.
1 person likes this
@Lovett (464)
• India
1 Nov 07
I totally agree with u. Wat a nice way to make them alive!!!!!Hehhheeheee..But liked a last bit of your story! i wl try this next time,,,!! heheheheee,,just kiddin!!Parents these days do not taek the trounble to telll kids to make theri own costumes,,,or maybe make their costumes for their little oes! Getting boring year by year!!Anyways,how was your halloween??Wat did you make at home???For Lunch??Anythin special??
1 person likes this
@Celanith (2327)
• United States
2 Nov 07
Well we don't observe the day and our grandkids nor did our kids go trick or treating. When I was a kid my mom did simple costumes. An old coat, a worn out hat, some lipstick and black paint or rouge and eye shadow and old wig. A bed sheet. Some shiny tin foil. A pair of glasses, gloves an old prom dress. Things out of the closet. I have made costumes out of what I have in my closet for my grandkids for other events not Halloween related and all were happy 30 minutes all had a great costume. Yarn, Ribbon, old jewelry, Trench coats, Canes, Capes, Shawls, Bandana's. It is easy and quick if your have a creative mind to make simple inexpensive costumes. My grandkids went to a carnival this year. One wore a red fisherman hat decorated up with pins, bells and old jewelry a pair of old overalls and checkered shirt some lipstick and we had a cute little clown. Another put fake flowers in her hair. A long evening gown and a long autumn colored scarf she was Autumn. Grandson got some smudges of eyeshadow and liner and he had army looking shirt and pants, a white bandage with a little red food coloring around his head, Soldier. Another had a long back skirt and a velvet vest black fur. Red bola and glasses and some glitter, long jewelry and vola a movie star. The last one had on a checked dress, red long shirt, Pony tails tied up in red ribbons, red slacks. Black Boots, Red cheeks and lips we got Raggedy Ann. All in 30 minutes from their and my closests. My brother once took aluminum foil and some wire. Made a piece of paper that read hershey kiss and went as a big hershey kiss and took first prize at the costume party at church.
@StrawberryKisses (2833)
• Canada
1 Nov 07
LOL I loved your ending LOL
I did buy my boys costume because lets fac it, it would take me a month to sew one LOL and I don't have a sewing machine. Maybe next year lol but my boy has manners thats for sure if he idn't say both trick or treat and thank you, he knew I'd take him home.
The amount of kids I saw cutting over lawns and just being plain rude was astounding. There was even a group of kids the couldn't be more than 10 last night that found an empty bottle of cooler and was excited thinking it was full now that is just plain ridiculous. Obvously their parrents don't care too much about their kids if they are wanting to drink at that age.
I really think that kids don't have the manners because their parents don't teach them that they need to use them. How are they going to know ifthey aren't taught? I have always been big on manners even in highschool I made my friends say please and thank you before I would lend them anything and now my boy does too. My duaghter still isn't quite old enough yet but I will teach her as well.
I hope that next year you do open your door and that if they don't wanna say anything, if it was me anyway, I would close my door LOL
1 person likes this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
1 Nov 07
I'm with you! I think Halloween should be for the little kids. I donot agree with teens driving around to get candy. I also agree with you that the kids should be polite. I actually took my stepdaughter home after one house cause she refused to say thank you. She was not happy. I just dont understand. We don't even do Halloween anymore.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
1 Nov 07
I took my Niece and Nephew out for several years and I always made them say trick or treat and thank you. I also encouraged them to let the giver put the candy in their bags rather than grabbing a handful...it just seemed to be more respectful. I always felt that after about age 12 your getting a little old for trick and treating... especially if you can afford to buy your own candy. Good for you for encouraging manners to trick or treaters.
"COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS"
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
22 Jan 08
I agree completely. I couldn't of said it better. I was nodding my head and saying you are so right! Kids today think everything should be handed to them. Halloween is supposed to be about dressing up in the best and coolest costume! And You have to say " TRICK OR TREAT!" And say thank you after you get the treat. With the kids today it's no wonder people don't answer their doors or put up decorations. Plus you have to pretend you are not home if you are not giving out candy. Or even put notes on your door saying "Sorry out of candy. And it ruins it for the good kids. They really do get down hearted, especially the younger ones who don't understand why.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
24 Jan 08
i think this observation is quite true these days. i like your description of grabby insolent little ghouls (who are not quite dressed as ghouls either, just behaving like them!)... hahaha.
trick or treating is not a tradition in my culture and society so halloween passes pretty quietly in my neighbourhood anyway. just as well, since i would not appreciate some of the practical jokes that they play these days.
@blueunicorn (2401)
• United States
2 Nov 07
That's funny that you mention a rock in the goody bag. Before we left last night my 6 year old wondered if she would get one. I think she was hoping she would just so she could see if it would happen!
No, kids don't have manners anymore. If I don't hear my kids say thank you I prompt them. Since they are young they do forget sometimes. I think part of trick-or-treating is learning social skills, manners, and spirit. I told my girls I wasn't buying costumes this year, and they were very creative. It was great, considering last year I was one of those parents who spent WAY too much money on costumes!
Here's another of my favorite (not) Halloween behaviors: After you put the candy in the bag, the kids pick it back out and stare at it like, "Is that it". We gave out pencils and stickers this year. I got really terrible looks!
