Trick or Treat has been ruined by greedy parents!

[enyawd72]

At least where we live...

When I was a kid you trick or treated within your own neighborhood and that was it.

This is absolutely the last year we will even TRY giving out candy. We had over 800 kids...it was ridiculous. They were being shuttled in by the carloads, even from neighboring towns. We were giving candy to kids that don't even live around here. Many didn't even bother to wear costumes, or were much too old. Some were even to young. Parents taking candy for babies still in strollers who don't even have teeth yet?

Give me a break.

It a shame greedy people ruined what used to be a fun tradition.

[LonnieFisher]

No costume, no candy...

[PNGwynne]

I live in a small town (pop. 2100)--sort of Mayberry, but without the charm lol. Begging is still mostly a neighborhood event, with a party and costume contest afterwards at the community center. Some churches have alternate activities-- a lot of the rural farm kids go to these because of lacking close neighbors. 200 pieces of candy is usually more than sufficient.

Some kids also go to their grandparents' Trick or Treat, and I sometimes hear at work of kids hitting multiple communities if the observation is staggered. But I don't think we're
victimized by greed. My biggest grip is kids who are too old, but that's not overwhelming. I don't mind toddlers, and most kids/parents make some attempt at costumes--even quick home-made ones.

[cockyhoskins]

I buy two bags of candy. When it runs out, the porch lights go off. Plain and simple!

I don't personally mind parents that "caravan" their kids into our neighborhood. I just figure their neighborhoods aren't suited for trick or treaters, etc.

[Goblin19]

I think it's usually communities that do it on different days. They hit multiple locations that way.

[cjefferys]

Wow, we live so in the sticks, I don't think we would get more than 20 kids. That's why we don't feel bad that we aren't home to give out candy (we leave out a small dish of treats just in case, that's usually barely touched when we get back home) and instead take our kids downtown where it's a bit more lively (well, as lively as a village with a population of 2100 can get).

[cockyhoskins]

We had about 50-60 kids tonight. Not bad for us. Candy ran out at 8:30.

[Duncan]

We usually get 30-40 kids; it's an empty-nester neighborhood. My two kids were joined by friends, so we accounted for 6 kids in the 6th-9th grade range, plus a little sister in a stroller. I encourage my kids to still go out, but costumes are required. The wife and I had on costumes and we sat outside with a fire giving out candy and chatting with a friend. Kids coming by ranged in age from toddler to high school. For the older kids, it's less about the candy and more about the fun/socializing.

But, there's no way to compare that with the original post. 800 kids is insane. I think I'd be pretty unhappy about that, too...probably give everyone one little roll of Smarties and send 'em on their way.

[LonnieFisher]

No kids here yet, at 7:30.

[LonnieFisher]

Now we've had one kid. It's 7:45.

[CrimsonGhost]

I find it interesting that kids are still trick or treating after Junior High age. I'm pretty sure I gave up on it after 6th grade. It started to feel embarrassing.

I haven't had trick or treaters in years. It doesn't seem like the kids really do it around my area. They're more likely to go to a school function like a trunk or treat or whatever. I always buy a little bag of candy just in case. Always something I want because I end up eating it.

[pmwasson]

We've had about 30 kids. I keep "sampling" the candy to make sure its okay for the kids.

[J.B.]

We live in a gated condo complex and we're not too fond of children, so...

[LonnieFisher]

Still only one child so far. It's about nine o'clock now.

[Mikey]

I grew up in the boonies so I was taken to the closest town for trick or treating by my older sisters.

It was that or walk a half mile in between each house