Thursday, October 22, 2009

HALLOWEEN ETIQUETTE

Halloween used to be so easy! Now it's a complicated holiday with parents unsure about allowing their children to go trick-or-treating door to door. Whether you choose to allow your children to trick-or-treat in the neighborhood or attend a private Halloween function, there is proper etiquette to be followed on this spooky night:

For the givers--
~Make sure your home is well lit and confine your animals.
~Answer the door with the traditional greeting "Happy Halloween!"
~Don't give out fruit, marshmallows, or homemade treats. Children want CANDY and no matter how much time you spend on your gourmet homemade treats, their parents will probably make them throw it away.

For the trick-or-treaters--
~Only children up to twelve years of age should go trick-or-treating door to door.
~Of course, very young children should be accompanied by an adult.
~Always take a flashlight when trick-or-treating.
~The accepted hours to trick-or-treat are dusk to 8-ish. If the lights are off, there is no candy for you there!
~Don't tromp through the homeowner's flower beds.
~Ring the doorbell once and stand back. When the homeowner opens the door, say "Trick-or-Treat!"
~Don't be greedy...grab a small amount of candy.
~After you have received your loot, say "Thank you and Happy Halloween!"
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24 comments:

  1. Larie Carlice Proverbs 27:19October 22, 2009 at 10:35 PM

    Wow! I did not know that Trick-or-Treating had etiquette rules!

    I guess that's what we have you for Miss Janice!

    Thanks.

    smooches,
    Larie

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  2. AnonymousOctober 22, 2009 at 11:27 PM

    Oh, Dear Miss Prissy Janice! I had to do that! :) I do wish folks would know about the manners for Halloween! You are the best at the correct etiquette ways. We have so many trick or treaters come to our house and it is fun, but when I see the over 6' tall teenaged boys come by - it really scares me! I don't think they have any business trick or treating but needless to say, they pop by!
    You're the bestest!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  3. Preppy Pink CrocodileOctober 22, 2009 at 11:31 PM

    My last year in DC I had friends over for chili and passed out candy. I got more adults- not dressed up- than children. Like an entire family with teenage children. No greeting and no thank you. I was so put off that I've not participated since then. Oh and I turned off my light at 9 or 10 and people were still ringing my bell well past then. So rude! I was so bummed as I had hoped to see cute kids all night- not grubby adults.

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  4. TardevilOctober 22, 2009 at 11:33 PM

    I always wondered what the appropriate age to stop is. Some cities set an age, but this one I'm in doesn't. When I grew up, the homeowners put candy in my bag. Now kids just grab it out of the bowl. It took me a while to get use to that.

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  5. Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net)October 22, 2009 at 11:43 PM

    Great reminders! I didn't know that about the proper ending time for Trick or Treating. :-)
    Susan

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  6. AngieOctober 23, 2009 at 12:18 AM

    Great tips!

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  7. AngieOctober 23, 2009 at 12:21 AM

    Love your beautiful fall decorations you showed in a previous post!

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  8. Red LipstickOctober 23, 2009 at 2:03 AM

    Great tips! Teenagers seem to do alot of trick or treating, I like the small children just because they are so adorable. I think the teens just want free candy!

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  9. UnknownOctober 23, 2009 at 8:32 AM

    What a great post Miss Janice. I just tweeted your link. You are an inspiration.

    Cynthia

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  10. QueenBeeSwainOctober 23, 2009 at 9:32 AM

    so true about animals and the max age for the trick o treaters! thank you for reminding us and helping us brush up on our halloween etiquette Miss Janice!

    kHm

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  11. UnknownOctober 23, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    Hi Miss Janice, First of all...Thank you for the Birthday Wishes!! It's really been such a great birthday this year.
    Your etiquette for Halloween just sounds like good common sense to me.

    We get a lot of teenagers... and truthfully they are a little intimidating...

    Have you noticed an over all lack of good manners in society? It has really gotten bad. Thanks for keeping us on track. :)
    ~Liz

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  12. Headbands and Hand BagsOctober 23, 2009 at 12:28 PM

    I hope the trick or treaters in my neighborhood have received this very same guidance! Well done Miss Janice!

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  13. KaraOctober 23, 2009 at 1:21 PM

    Oh that Halloween pict is soooooooo sweet!
    I do DisLike the older teenagers with the "pillow cases" and NO costumes....like I OWE them candy just cause they showed up on my door step...
    Thanks for the reminders of proper behavior.

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  14. MiMi MagnoliaOctober 23, 2009 at 1:32 PM

    Ms. Janice-
    I have a neurotic dog-child who I absolutely adore but I don't think he will deal well with trick or treat'ers. Is it appropriate to place a bucket of candy on my straw bale with a sign? Thanks!

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  15. Black Labs and LillyOctober 23, 2009 at 1:49 PM

    I practically bite a hole through my tounge trying not to remind children to say "Thank You" when I help hand out candy. Sadly it is always the older ones who forget!

    Thank you as always for the tips Miss Janice!!

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  16. Her PreppinessOctober 23, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    Great tips

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  17. PoshMommaOctober 24, 2009 at 7:46 AM

    It's the "THANK YOU" part that I miss. I miss it everywhere. At stores I get, "here you go." *Sighs* I wish we could sprinkle Miss Janice glitter on people.

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  18. A Hint of HomeOctober 24, 2009 at 1:50 PM

    Those are very good rules and thanks so much for reminding us all about what is proper.
    Have a great weekend!

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  19. BLC :oOctober 24, 2009 at 4:15 PM

    Great etiquette advice!! Xoxo-BLC

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  20. Manuela@A Cultivated NestOctober 24, 2009 at 6:35 PM

    I wish people would adhere to the "if the lights are off..." rule! I've found that young kids also like those rub on tatoos and things like that for people that don't want to give out candy.

    Manuela

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  21. Kristens CreationsOctober 24, 2009 at 8:52 PM

    Hi Miss Janice, I'm so glad to know about Halloween etiquette! Chase is 10 and he was telling me he was too old to trick or treat. I'll tell him he has 2 more years! I have what seems like thousands of trick or treaters! I usually give 2 pieces of candy each. Thanks for the tips! Kristen

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  22. EmilyOctober 26, 2009 at 10:25 AM

    Love the trick-or-treat etiquette...I wish more people knew about this!

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  23. tintarosaOctober 26, 2009 at 2:04 PM

    Couldn't agree more with your rules. I love seeing the neighbors kids all dressed up and excited about the treats. The older kids in the neighborhood decline candy and collect a cans of food for the food bank. They put up a flyer today to give everyone the heads up.

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  24. LauriOctober 31, 2009 at 10:46 PM

    I personally don't mind the teenagers as long as they behave. Communities just don't have much for teeagers to do anymore that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Everyone concentrates on the little cute kids which is right to do, then they yell and complain when teens cause trouble. Maybe if they were given something to occupy them they wouldn't get into trouble.
    And of course the teens are in it for the candy!! And you don't think the little ones aren't?

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