Hey guys! Today marks the first day of Autumn 2019! Crisp nights, light jackets, and turning leaves are just around the corner! This also means that Halloween is a mere four weeks away. Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. It’s a day where, as a kid, you were allowed to be anything you wanted and dress any way you wanted, and creativity was highly encouraged. Now that I’m older, I don’t dress up for Halloween, but I do enjoy chaperoning my younger cousins as they partake in the festivities. However, as an adult, I’ve noticed I see much more than I used to as a kid. This is why I believe EVERYONE should familiarize themselves with the following Trick-or-Treat safety and etiquette tips.

  1. The first and most important tip is BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Whether you’re driving, chaperoning, or Trick-or-Treating yourself, ALWAYS stay alert and aware. The majority of Trick-or-Treating occurs after sunset, when it’s easy to overlook a hole in the road, a coming car, or even a person.
  2. Second, KNOW THE HOURS for Trick-or-Treating. They’re almost always posted to your city’s website at least a week in advance. These hours are subject to change due to inclement weather, so stay updated.
  3. Third, KNOW PROPER ETIQUETTE. As silly as this sounds, many people still approach houses that have their porch lights off. If a porch light is off, the house is NOT offering candy. If the porch light is on, there may be a chance the people aren’t home and forgot it’s Halloween. Therefore, don’t loiter around too long after ringing the doorbell. If no one answers, simply move on to the next house. Additionally, as courtesy to those Trick-or-Treating, if you are returning home late, either opt not to leave your porch lights on, or to leave a note if they’re on but you’re not offering candy.
  4. Fourth, BE GRATEFUL. If someone is kind enough to give you candy, ALWAYS say “thank you” and “Trick-or-Treat.” I know I personally always felt a little silly saying “Trick-or-Treat” as a kid, but people (especially the elderly) really love hearing it and seeing you go all-in with your festivities. Side note: if someone leaves a bowl of candy out on their porch with a sign that says for you to take some, DON’T take more than a few pieces. There are probably a LOT more people stopping by than you, and you’ll hit plenty of other houses. No need to be greedy.
  5. Lastly, DRESS ACCORDINGLY. If you know it’s going to be chilly out, dress you and/or your child in weather appropriate clothes. If they’re concerned about a coat taking attention away from their costume, cold gear is a great solution. I personally use Cuddl duds, which fit snugly so they can be worn under other garments. Don’t let the weather take away the joy of celebrating Halloween- it only happens once a year!

Thanks for taking the time to read this article! I hope these tips aid in making your Halloween celebration more enjoyable!