Halloween Candy
Oct 20, 2018 08:36:47 #
I have to decide how much Halloween candy to buy. In the past, we would have over a hundred kids come to the house, but that number has been declining. Last year, I think we had only two show up. I don't want to be a Grinch and turn out the lights, but I don't want to buy $30 worth of candy that I'll have to eat myself.
Maybe if the kids signed up with the Town and said where they would be going and what time they expected to arrive, we would know what to expect. Yeah, I think I'll propose that at the next Town Meeting. The kids should get permits and have them prominently displayed on their costumes. The Town could charge $5 or $10 for these permits and make a few dollars.
While we're at it, the Town should approve all costumes, and the kids would display the Certificate of Approval on their costumes. The Town should publish a list of approved and unapproved costumes. To play it safe, the Town should sell all the costumes.
You know, with a little thought, Halloween could be a very-well organized holiday with fun for all.
Maybe if the kids signed up with the Town and said where they would be going and what time they expected to arrive, we would know what to expect. Yeah, I think I'll propose that at the next Town Meeting. The kids should get permits and have them prominently displayed on their costumes. The Town could charge $5 or $10 for these permits and make a few dollars.
While we're at it, the Town should approve all costumes, and the kids would display the Certificate of Approval on their costumes. The Town should publish a list of approved and unapproved costumes. To play it safe, the Town should sell all the costumes.
You know, with a little thought, Halloween could be a very-well organized holiday with fun for all.
Oct 20, 2018 08:56:09 #
Oct 20, 2018 12:00:26 #
Jerry, my strategy was to only buy candy that we liked, so anything left over would eventually be useful. We were the only ones on our block that gave out full sized-candy bars, so we were very popular! It’s amazing that grown adults still remember that about our house. We lived on a classic middle America street with a ton of kids, but never had a hundred. Now we live up in the woods, and no one ever comes - kind of sad, but I enjoy seeing my grandchildren’s costumes.
Oct 20, 2018 15:24:02 #
Our town has a Trunk or Treat in a store parking lot. A lot of folks and businesses set up there to hand out candy. That's where we do it now.
Oct 20, 2018 17:41:15 #
What I don't like is 'The Parents' - watching. If you can't trust your neighbors.......!
Our friendly, but barking dog, has tended to put off the kids from afar, so only our local kids get to enjoy the sweets. They know that Mr Pip is only saying 'Im Here...please rub my belly'.
It is you Americans that started this 'knocking on doors' idea....we had organized family gatherings of apple bobbing and home-made 'teeth grabbing' toffee (which kept the shouting to a minimum). 'Mischief night' was the day before Nov 5th when we played knock and run and threw 'bangers' at each other. - Not a parent in sight!.
Our friendly, but barking dog, has tended to put off the kids from afar, so only our local kids get to enjoy the sweets. They know that Mr Pip is only saying 'Im Here...please rub my belly'.
It is you Americans that started this 'knocking on doors' idea....we had organized family gatherings of apple bobbing and home-made 'teeth grabbing' toffee (which kept the shouting to a minimum). 'Mischief night' was the day before Nov 5th when we played knock and run and threw 'bangers' at each other. - Not a parent in sight!.
Oct 20, 2018 20:03:30 #
CobblestoneLane
Loc: Midwest
I stopped giving out candy years ago; too often there were too many calories left over. I've started giving away cheap toys instead, like stuff you can get at carnival or party supply stores. Kids really seem to like it (at least, if they aren't so old they shouldn't even be trick or treating anymore), and parents also seem to like the idea.
Plus, what I don't give out this year I can just save and give out next year!
Plus, what I don't give out this year I can just save and give out next year!
Oct 21, 2018 06:35:09 #
Dan Mc
Loc: NM
Travel size TOOTHPASTE! (It takes only a few and the little buggers stop annoying your house!)
Oct 21, 2018 07:22:01 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I have to decide how much Halloween candy to buy. ... (show quote)
Very funny.
Depending on the community there are many churches having halloween parties for children because of dangers now of going door to door reducing the little children out and about. Here in Williamsport I see most children now accompanied by parents and the police seem to have stepped up patrols as well.
Last year was our worst year as well but still in the 55-60 range of kids which isn't too bad as we are the only house on the block doing Halloween with all the others dark. But we are an attraction as the house can be seen well as it is on a hill, with flashing lightning and spooky sounds. Many kids are afraid to approach up the 3 flights of stairs to the door. But if things fall off too much we will quit as well, but we have a new neighbor across the street and below that this year really decorated so looks like 2 houses on the block will be celebrating.
Good luck to you and hope you get more kids.
PS quit giving out broccoli and you might get more kids coming by.
Oct 21, 2018 08:05:50 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I have to decide how much Halloween candy to buy. ... (show quote)
Jerry, I wish we only had 2 come around, they truck them into this neighborhood from all over, we cannot have enough candy if we start giving out, costumes? terrible, and the mothers expect candy for tots that do not even have a tooth yet.
Oct 21, 2018 09:00:45 #
At our church we have a walking track on the level above a full size basketball court. We have maybe 35-40 volunteers hand out candy to kids. We call this "Track or Treat." Depending on the weather, we may have as many as 1000 kids participate. If the weather is bad, we get more kids. We also have inflatables and games for the kids to play. We do this as a safe alternative for kids. When we were still handing out candy at home, we had something like 40-50 kids come by. We had full size candy bars for the kids we recognized.
Oct 21, 2018 10:44:30 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I have to decide how much Halloween candy to buy. ... (show quote)
No offense meant Jerry but your suggestion sounds much too much like Big Government interference to be of any fun at all. Halloween is supposed to be a fun time for kids but having to go through all of the certification such as approval of costumes, depending on whose idea of approval or not, is ridiculous. I hope you were just speaking with tongue firmly in cheek.
Dennis
Oct 21, 2018 11:49:30 #
We solved that problem years ago by switching from candy to 10-cents pieces (dimes). I have noticed that lots of kid holler with joy with a dime.
Oct 21, 2018 12:04:00 #
Dan Mc wrote:
Travel size TOOTHPASTE! (It takes only a few and the little buggers stop annoying your house!)
Such a great idea !!!!
Oct 21, 2018 21:34:36 #
We bought a tub of individually wrapped pretzels and cheese balls. Better later than candy
Oct 22, 2018 02:07:58 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I have to decide how much Halloween candy to buy. ... (show quote)
Jerry, My 6 year old suggests these additional requirements. All homeowners should be required to hand out candy. The town should publish a list of the types of candy each homeowner proposes to hand out, and the number of pieces each trick-or-treater will receive. Homeowners will be required to exchange candy if it does not meet the approval of the child. Homeowners handing out toothpaste, junk toys, or non-sugary treats will have their real estate taxes increased by 5%.
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