Here in Cambourne people enjoy any type of celebration including Halloween. It’s a great excuse to have fun. There are often lots of parties and activities going on in the area over Halloween as it’s often around the time of half term also.
Traditionally a big part of Halloween is Trick or Treating. As in most places, Halloween etiquette means that only houses with Halloween decorations on display should be approached for Trick or Treating. There are many reasons why different house holds don’t want to take part in Trick or Treating and if everyone respects this Halloween can continue to be a fun part of our community.
Netmums own guide to halloween etiquette here
Etiquette
Halloween: it’s the ONLY time of the year that it’s acceptable for your child to beg strangers for sweets.
But did you know there’s an actual etiquette for how to do it ‘correctly’? Fear not, here are our top tips for successful trick or treating, this Halloween.
1. Dress up!
If kids want sweets, make sure they look the part. It’s not about how much money you spend but making the best of what you have.
2. Mind their manners
‘Trick or treat’ are the magic words but you may find the request goes down a lot better with a traditional ‘please; and ‘thank you’ thrown in for good measure, so remind kids of this before leaving the house.
3. Know where to knock
Halloween decorations are a sign the homeowner is happy to join in the fun. So, if a house is lacking in severed heads, glittery cobwebs and carved pumpkins, it’s a safe bet they’re not going to have a bag of sweets waiting at the other side of the door. Don’t bother knocking.
4. Don’t snatch
They might be dressed as bodysnatchers but on Halloween night we’re pretending to be the un-dead, not the hungry caterpillar, so remind little ones only take their fair share of sweet treats and make sure to leave plenty for others.
5. Don’t keep knocking
If you ring the doorbell or knock and there is no reply it’s time to leave. Only knock or ring once – if they have something for you they will be expecting you.
6. Tricks don’t really mean tricks
Make kids aware that a trick really is just a figure of speech – if there isn’t anything waiting for them, a polite, ‘Sorry to have bothered you,’ will suffice and stand them in a lot better stead with the neighbours than a smashed egg on their front door!
7. Take rubbish home with you
No one wants to wake up to a garden full of sweet wrappers and, if they do, they may be less inclined to join in the fun next year. Make sure your children keep their rubbish with them until they get home. This is where a witch’s broom comes in handy – for sweeping up!
8. Give as you would receive
If you decide not to participate because your little one gets too scared or is poorly, it’s a nice idea to leave a bucket of goodies outside your door so trick or treaters don’t have to knock but can still enjoy your kind gesture.
9. Don’t discriminate
Don’t assume that just because a group of trick or treaters are a little on the tall side that they’re too old to trick or treat. Height doesn’t always correspond with age and they may just be squeezing one last year out of it before they really are too old. It’s won’t hurt to give them the benefit of the doubt with a few Haribos – there are worse things they could be doing!
10. Learn when to switch off
It’s no fun turning children away so as soon as the supplies have gone. it’s time to send a clear signal by switching off the lights and blowing out your pumpkin lantern.
If you don’t wish to participate in Trick or Treating the Cambridgeshire police have made a poster for people to print and display on their front doors.
