Year over year, more and more kids (older ones 13+) are "trick or treating" with less costumes. When I give them candy and ask them "where's your costume?" I'm told "thug", "human being" or "rapper".
I tend to turn a blind eye and give candy costume or not. Might not be their fault that their folks might not 'prioritize' getting them a costume or can simply not afford it.
My husband has had enough and wants to make a sign for next year "no costume - no candy".
We spend a lot of our personal time and money making our home scarier year over year with costumes, fog machine, graveyard, life size skeletons - the whole bit.
What do you think? "No Costume - No Candy"
Yay or nay and why?
2006-10-31 13:11:01 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Halloween
give candy to the costumed kids and an sticker or toothrush to the non-costumed kids.
2006-10-31 13:50:51 · answer #1 · answered by handymandanvt 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you should put up a sign. Most kids would knock anyways, even if they weren't all that dressed up. Once you get a kid on your doorstep, are you seriously going to say, while holding the bowl of candy "Sorry, no candy for you, you don't have a costume"? I don't think so. Well I hope you're not. I know I would be disapointed because some years my mother just can't take me costume shopping or I was at a friend's house and he couldn't loan me anything. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you don't know the situation and why the kid doesn't have a costume, but does it really matter? It's one night a year when a kid can get candy for free and just have fun. You don't have to make your house that scarier if it cuts into your candy money. I guess the whole Halloween thing is volunteer. You volunteer your money, your time, your effort into giving this candy out to kids and decorating for one night a year. You don't have to do it. So don't if you don't want to.
2006-10-31 13:25:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the "No costume -- No candy" approach.
Hallowe'en is all about dressing up -- in a COSTUME. Saying you're a thug or a rapper or, for heaven's sake, a human being is a cop out (they can't even throw an old sheet over their heads and cut out two eye holes!?!) If it's a question of money, a great costume can be put together from Goodwill, the Salvation Army or a church thrift store for next to nothing. I think the older "kids" are just looking for a quick handout with a minimum amount of imagination and effort on their part.
It's particularly frustrating because, as you point out, you all put a lot of energy and creativity into doing up your house!
My ONLY reservation would be that those turned away empty handed might be tempted to react with a "trick". I'd have the garden hose ready for those guys!
Good luck!
2006-10-31 13:23:31 · answer #3 · answered by pat z 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Give them the candy. I know it's more fun when they arrive with costumes, but to me what's more important are the manners before and after we pass out the candy. Remembering to knock or ring the bell, saying "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you" are the big ticket items.
Do you remember when did you stopped trick or treating? Or even that awkward age when, at holiday, you are too old for toys but not wanting all your gifts to be clothes? Kids grow up so fast.
I remember being in my early teens, still feeling like a kid, but having adults look at me--in a costume--as if I had not right to be out without a younger sibling in tow.
As you said, kids might not be able to afford a costume. Others who responded to your question suggested a preteen or early teenage child might feel awkward in a costume, sad as that may be. Some parents may be concerned about a costume and visibility. Maybe it's cold, and they want to be appropriately dressed for the weather, which may prohibit costumes. (Where I am, it's a mild October 31st.) Or maybe, just maybe, they are relishing a childhood pleasure that will all too soon be gone, and they just want a little free candy. Someday, they will be handing out candy to the ones in regular clothes, wishing they were in costumes, and maybe then they'll understand. In the meantime, our kindness--assuming our pumpkins are not being smashed or our cars soaped--is a more important gift than the candy we pass out.
2006-10-31 13:20:34 · answer #4 · answered by sdewolfeburns 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I had a few kids come up to my door w/o costumes. But I can understand that some parents don't have the money to spend on costumes or just don't care.
I'll overlook this. It's not their fault obviously so they shouldn't have to do without. I just hope they eat the candy in moderation so as to not force the parents to spend money on a dentist...
2006-10-31 13:34:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Go for it if you want your house and Halloween stuff tore up - the big kids will do that.
Maybe they can't afford to buy costumes.
I give the big kids a small bag of chips or store bought popcorn balls and little kids the candy,If the big kid is taking the little one around then yes they get candy to.
2006-10-31 13:17:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I, being thirteen, can relate to this question. I think that if the kid doesn't want to humiliate his/herself then really don't bother. If the kid is nice about and you feel that they at least gave a good enough response or they weren't pushy, then give them some candy.
2006-10-31 13:15:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have no problem giving out candy,costume or not. I love it when a 13 year old comes up to my door dressed as a "****"...ahhh brings back memories
2006-10-31 13:16:18 · answer #8 · answered by gYPSY B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yay
2006-10-31 13:23:02 · answer #9 · answered by J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yay, BUT - you can always make an exception of a cute lil one
2006-10-31 13:16:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋