If one does not celebrate halloween, what should they when kids are at the door?

Question

it is not about the candy, its the concept behind it,
I dont want to turn off the lights and hide in, why should I? I dont want to came across as being rude or mean.

Answer 1

Most people leave their outside lights on. Just turn outside lights off that children/parents normally would assume mean you have candy.

Or leave a note on the door - saying "no candy try next house!"

Answer 2

Just turn your porch light off, usually parents will not have their kids go up to the door if the light is not on. Or you could just put a sign on the door, "sorry No Candy". Not everyone celebrates Halloween it's ok...

Answer 3

If one don't wish to pass out candy, the best thing to do is shut lights off, close blinds on windows or pull shades down. Kids go to homes with lights on outside and inside. If you don't have any blinds or shades, then put a note on your door that clearly states no candy here no one home. You should be left alone. But if you leave the lights on then they will come to your door. Sometimes hiding is best on this night.

Answer 4

The etiquette thing to do would be to turn off the lights, you don't have to hide, but you should have that etiquette for people that do celebrate halloween. Maybe put a note on the door that says you don't celebrate it and have no candy. Otherwise, deal with the knocks and "Trick or Treat"!!

Answer 5

Either turn out the lights, or be not at home, or participate. Anything else will come across as rude, as Halloween is a community-accpeted custom.

Otherwise be expected to be interrupted and perhaps the recipient of "tricks." Don't bother trying to explain a philosophical idea to 5-year-olds wanting candy.

Answer 6

I think - even if you don't want to come off rude - you will to some people, perhaps not all.

So either, put some candy in a bowl outside on the porch or forget what people think and stick to your guns, don't give out candy, don't answer the door etc...

Answer 7

In our community the porch light must be on, or trick or treating is not allowed there.. Good rule, but some people leave the porch light on all of the time for safety. My poor elderly Dad did, and felt like he should do trick or treat so he did not have to turn the light off, and to avoid getting his property damaged.
I do trick or treat, I do not have kids, but I feel the same way. If you don't have it, or leave your house, you will be cleaning off the soap and eggs and TP the next day.
I like the rule, because my outside lamp stays on, 24/7. I would hate to turn it off for trick or treat night.

Answer 8

Shutting off the front light will be easier than seeing the dissappointed look on a bunch of kids faces.
Remember, they are too young to understand your beliefs.
All they hear is "no candy".
You could put up a simple sign too.

Answer 9

Well, if you don't want to hide in, then you should go out. Go out to a movie or something. Children don't know the concept behind Halloween, all they know is people give them candy Oct. 31st. If you try and explain it to them, they won't understand. Better to leave then hurt their feelings.

Answer 10

I would turn off the front porch light and make a little barricade with planters blocking your porch steps or steps to your house. If I were you, I'd spend the evening at a nice restaurant, the library or the mall and avoid the whole situation.