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Do you have a problem with older trick-or-treaters?

post #1 of 24
10/7/03 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 
What do you think of 16-17 year olds (and older) trick or treating? Does it make a difference if they are wearing a costume?
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post #2 of 24
10/7/03 at 12:35pm
I personally think they are too old at that age to be out trick-or-treating, with or without a costume. I don't have a problem with them dressing up but they should be going to halloween parties instead of going around asking for candy. The only exception I would make were if they were taking their younger siblings but even then they shouldn't ask for candy for themselves.
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post #3 of 24
10/7/03 at 12:38pm
Last year is the first year since we got married that we had any trick-or-treaters. I had a bunch of kids that came that had to have been 12 or so; some were in costume and some weren't. (I just gave them one piece of candy--I gave the younger ones 4 or 5.) After that, DH turned the porch light off, and we didn't have any more.

My mom didn't let us go trick-or-treating after we got out of elementary school. If we wanted to go to a costume party or something at school, then we got a costume for that, but we weren't allowed to go trick or treating. I think by the time you get to high school, you should definitely not be trick-or-treating.
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post #4 of 24
10/7/03 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 
I'm glad I'm not the only one!! I mean, some of the ones I get have facial hair! I mean, come on...buy your own candy, you're old enough to have a job!

I give the younger kids 3-4 pieces and the older ones get one piece of "cheap" candy!

Oh, wanna know what else bothers me?? Mothers pushing an INFANT in a stroller and the mom has a bag for candy?! If the kid can't eat it, you shouldn't be trick or treating!
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post #5 of 24
10/7/03 at 12:57pm
I agree about older trick or treaters, it's pathetic. Last year we took Olivia with us (she was one) because the boys wanted to go. She was in the stroller, but I gave her one candy to hold. We didn't get a bag for her.
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post #6 of 24
10/7/03 at 1:00pm
I think that is a bit old to be out trick or treating.
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post #7 of 24
10/7/03 at 1:15pm
We get older trick or treaters too....one year we refused to give them anything and they spray painted our mailbox and the road in front of our house Thankfully, these children don't live around here anymore, but I think that I will make a sign that states that we don't give out candy to any children that look older than a certain age, I don't know Not real sure how to handle it, but I can't afford to give candy to all the teens in my nieghborhood, the young ones almost break us as it is
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post #8 of 24
10/7/03 at 1:20pm
I definatly agree with you, Michelle! (But you already knew that!) The Twins will not go trick-or-treating this year, and probably not next year either. I will dress them up though!
Oh, they will trick-or-treat at my Moms house, but she is going to have a toy for them.
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post #9 of 24
10/7/03 at 3:02pm
I don't have a problem with it as long as they are escorting younger kids. But if they come to the door by themselves, I don't give them anything. That is too old, in my opinion.
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post #10 of 24
10/7/03 at 3:12pm
Brandon's first year, we dressed him up like a pumpkin and he sat in my lap as I handed out candy. I did not trick or treat with him.

As for the older kids, I remember walking the streets with my friends while I was in high school but I don't really remember going door to door.

I had some kids last year that I thought were too old, and some weren't even dressed up, but didn't want my house to be egged. I gave them the sweet tarts, where the kids got chocolate.
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post #11 of 24
10/7/03 at 3:18pm
I personally think they are too old at that age to be out trick-or-treating

The one exception I would make were if they were taking their younger brothers or sisters out
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post #12 of 24
10/7/03 at 3:20pm
I think that is way too old to be trick or treating but when I read the name of this thread the first thing I thought of was the older kids who push past my little ones to get up to the front of a porch and get candy. Rude children bug the crap out of me. Last year at this time I was walking Zach who was 18 months old down people's porch steps and bigger kids literally pushed us out of the way because he was too slow. One time last year Haley actually slipped off the edge of a porch and skinned her knee because some kids who were behind us had to get up at the front when the lady opened the door.
This year I am standing guard at the steps and not letting anyone pass until my kids get down.
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post #13 of 24
10/7/03 at 3:51pm
I really hate it when they don't wear a costume and expect candy, or just draw something on their face and wear regular clothes. Come on now!!!...

Oh and I also hate too the mom's with their baby babies!! What the heck is up with that!!! Candy is on sale that time of year! Don't be so cheap!

You Go Elaine! Kick Some Butt!!
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post #14 of 24
10/7/03 at 10:23pm
Thread Starter 
Go Elaine!
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post #15 of 24
10/8/03 at 12:29am
Well, I guess I'm alone on this one...we trick or treated up into Jr. High School when I was a kid...dressed up and had a blast. I don't care how old they are when they come to my door as long as they are dressed up and polite. As an adult I love celebrating holidays...and wish I could still trick or treat myself. I don't think it's about being cheap. I think it's just enjoying the holiday and enjoying life and reaching inside for the little child in all of us. I think teens could be doing a lot worse things. Same thing for the moms and babies. It doesn't bother me for moms to bring a baby and a bag...the mom is just enjoying the holiday and including her child and spending time together. So what if the parents eat the candy. It's just candy. Who said that holidays are only for kids! I think they are for families of all ages to spend together and celebrate.
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post #16 of 24
10/8/03 at 6:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
I think they are for families of all ages to spend together and celebrate.
I agree with you there, Robin. But I don't think the babies should have a bag for candy...they can still enjoy Halloween, they can't eat the candy anyway. JMHO
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post #17 of 24
10/9/03 at 3:45pm
Robin, I really enjoyed reading your post......it has given me something to think about. Maybe I need to work on my outlook
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post #18 of 24
10/9/03 at 6:29pm
Alisha is going to be 13 this year before Halloween. She is going trick or treating. I do feel she is to old but she did not go last year and this year she is invited to go to a party plus trick or treat, so I am letting her go. I think after that it better be parties. I have to say I do not care what age you are and are trick or treating. I think alot of people like the time to be walking with thier families and friends. Fun time of the year and as long as they are polite, I have no problem with it. Funny thing polite or not I still worry if I am going to wake up to smashed pumpkins on the sidewalk, egg on the house or the cars and so on. Not that it is hard to clean up, just why do they do that. I think the only thing I ever did on halloween was toilet paper peoples house.
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post #19 of 24
10/9/03 at 6:38pm
I don't have a problem with the older ones. We always get several older ones and they are always polite, say thank-you etc. Its the 8 & 9 year olds that I can't stand. They push their way up to the porch and then just hold out their bag, won't even say trick-or-treat. Then just turn around and walk away, no thank you or anything. Plus I'm just handing out bags of m&m's, not $5 bills so I don't mind who gets the candy.
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post #20 of 24
10/15/03 at 5:18pm
I have to agree completely with Robin, & am glad I'm not the only one! Who says there is an age limit on having fun?!!! I went out while in Jr. High, & now my son in gr.9 may still go out.

How can you tell how old someone is if wearing a costume? You shouldn't go by height or voice, that's not fair....my son has been taller than me since he was 11!!! Some hit puberty sooner than others, & shouldn't be penalized for it.

Teens are at an awkward enough stage of their lives (remember how THAT was??)....they aren't adults, but they aren't small children anymore...why take away one evening of harmless fun for them? Besides, do you really think all those wee kids are allowed to eat ALL that candy they get?! I guarantee the parents are digging deep into their bags themselves!

Just my opinion....sometimes people forget how it was when they were teens.....& often parents of small kids don't look ahead to the future, thinking that THEIR kids will one day be in this very position!

Hugs Jacquie
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post #21 of 24
10/15/03 at 5:58pm
Robin and Jacquie I am with you 100% Embarressing as this is I trick or treated till I was 18 years old. I dressed up in custume to the tees. Full custume and enjoyed every minute of it. I dress up now to take my kids with. Shoot I was on TV the one year for dressing up with my kids and trick or treating. No I dont get candy any more it is just the fun of it. Some people think it is funny when I take the kids to the door, and they give me candy too.

If anyone seen my post I am going as an oreo cookie this year. I make sure my kids are dressed up and this is our time together. Dad dresses up to hand out and MIL dresses up too. Its a holiday and I live it to its fullest!

Problems I do have with treat or treaters...

*older one that dont dress up and just come to the door. I ask them what are you going as this year? They better come up with a creative answer or you get a crappy piece of candy.
*I open the door and expect to hear Trick or treat
*after I give the candy out I expect a thank you. If I dont hear one you do hear me say YOUR WELCOME!
* I teach my kids trick or treat etiquette no running on peoples grass use the sidewalk and use you manners.

I Halloween and love the time I spend with my kids. All the candy me and my kids do collect, I let my daughter pick a few pieces and they are for doing special jobs around the house. The rest gets taken to work for a community candy jar!

HappyHalloween!
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post #22 of 24
10/16/03 at 8:16pm
I, too, trick-or-treated until I was 18. One of the clubs with which I was involved did the "Trick-Or-Treating for UNICEF" each year, and I always participated. I would say trick-or-treat first and get a piece of candy, then pull out the donation box for a coin or two.

Yeah, I admit, part of it is sugar-induced greed but it's fun. This will be the first year my son really gets into Halloween (I'm making a costume for him, per his request), and I might dress up a little to go with him.

I go to at least one Renaissance Faire each year, usually in costume. I guess some girls never grow out of "dress-up", hm?
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post #23 of 24
10/16/03 at 8:19pm
Judy!
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post #24 of 24
10/16/03 at 8:29pm
I agree with what rosmith/Robin said!!
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