What is the proper etiquette for communicating to the neighborhood that you do not celebrate Halloween?

Question

This question is about the protocol to avoid an unpleasant encounter when trick or treating occurs in your neighborhood. Do you simply leave your lampost light off? Do you need to post something on your door? What do you do, to avoid the doorbell being rung and explaining to each person that there are no treats available? Of course, I am aware already that you could simply not answer the door or avoid being home, but I am more interested in learning the tactful way to quietly enjoy my home without participating in this holiday.
This question is not about the decision not to participate in Halloween, so no response in this regard is needed. Thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom on the matter of proper etiquette.

Answer 1

Leave your porch light off. Most parents know that if the porch light isn't on the children are not meant to go up to the door. If your bell does happen to get rang, don't answer it, you don't owe any explanations to people. You will probably get some older kids doing that though. Enjoy your evening.

Answer 2

You have received some good advice. I don't celebrate Halloween either so I just put a sign on my door that simply says "No Candy. Try next door." I live in an apartment so that suffices. Just keep your lights off and if you feel the need then put up a sign. By the way, opening the door and putting anything in even if it's Bible tracts or sugarless candy is still participating in the holiday.

Answer 3

Even WAY BACK in the OLD DAYS of the 1960's when I was a child, we knew that if there were no lights on, we would pass up the house. We were expected not to be SO GREEDY for candy that we'd HAVE to stop at EVERY DOOR in the neighborhood!

If someone does ring your doorbell and you had your lights out... well... you know it might be someone needing your help instead! If they are Trick-or-treaters, then you can politely say, "Oh, don't you look cute, but I'm so sorry, I don't have anything for you! Good luck with the rest of your evening."

If the kids "take revenge" for "no treats" (the "trick" part of "trick or treat") you deal with that separately... but I never heard of any of our friends ever "tricking"... it was not... um... POLITE!


Have a polite day.

Answer 4

Leave the light off and post a sign on your fornt door that says "This home does not observe Halloween." (just in case you get a few who are not paying attention and wander to the door anyway.) This should cover it, though the lights being out should be the first clue for most folks.

Answer 5

I haven't participated in Halloween for 10 years. I leave the porch light off, don't put up any decorations, close the blinds, and retreat to my bedroom (in the back of the house) from 5PM until 9PM. No one even comes to my door.

Answer 6

Hmm...generally I think you just leave your front door and foyer/entry lights off.

I think its an unspoken rule that parents know if the lights are off, don't come knocking.

Or you could just buy a couple of bags of candy just in case. Handing out candy isn't really celebrating Halloween, is it? I don't know - I didn't grow up in a country that has Halloween.

Answer 7

Do you know someone in the neighborhood who may be able to communicate this for you? You may want to tell a few select neighbors, and ask them to spread the word.

You could even go so far as to put a block up on your driveway, two sticks with a yellow tape? Rudimentary but effective.

I would say the best way would be word-of-mouth, though.

I don't blame you for not celebrating Halloween, it's a disruptive, dangerous time for kids and adults alike.

Answer 8

Like the other posters stated, just keep your front lights off. Outdoor and front room as well. I don't know where you live but when I lived in N. Florida I rarely if ever got trick or treaters even before I started darkening my doorstep,LOL!!!!
Good luck, hope no one bothers you.


P.S. If you know your neighbors, it couldn't hurt to tell the parents that you don't do Halloween, you don't need to give them a reason, and ask them if they'd please respect your privacy and not bring their tots to your home.

Answer 9

my parents told me to the way to avoid the kids coming to the door was to keep the front porch light off. that usually worked. if anyone rings your door or knocks simply do not answer.

Answer 10

leave the porch light off and don answer the door, u could put a sign out that says for religious reasosn u donnot celebrate this holiday but then people might egg your house, just dont answer!