Halloween - it's the only time of the year when your child can beg strangers for sweets! Here is our Broughton Alive top tips for fun trick or treating this Halloween.
If you don't want to take part in Trick or Treat this Halloween, you can download and print a poster to go on your front door.
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.
Mind Their Manners
‘Trick or treat’ are the magic words but you may find the request goes down a lot better with a 'please’ and 'thank you' thrown in for good measure.
Know Where to Knock
Halloween decorations are a good sign the homeowner is happy to join in the fun. So, if a house is lacking in severed heads, cobwebs and carved pumpkins, it's best to assume they're not going to have a bag of sweets waiting.
Don't Snatch
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.
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.
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 stand them in a lot better stead with the neighbours than a smashed egg on their front door!
Please Take Your 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.
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.
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.
Learn When to Switch Off
It's no fun turning children away so as soon as the supplies have gone, it’s time to switch off the front door light and blow out your pumpkin lantern.
