Thread: A lot of people who DON'T DRESS UP for TOTs?

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This year I had just under 60 people I gave candy out to. I have to say I'm getting more irritated every year that the number of people who don't dress up and carry a pillowcase wearing street clothes shouldn't be allowed my full size candy bars. I should have 2 baskets. The "I actually wore a costume" basket and get the full size bar, or the "I'm a teenager and I didn't even bother taking any thought into getting into the spirit of Halloween, but want some candy please" basket, which will be the fun size bits. Of course though.... you don't wanna get egged later that night over it.

One kid actually had the nerve to ask if he could have 2 and was barely dressed up.

I love that kids get out and dress up for Halloween. I dig the little ones that actually try. It irks me when you get many people who literally wear ZERO on the costume and just wear a sweatshirt and jeans.

And before I get responses to ones who may not have money to make a full costume, I'm just talking at least put a sheet on you for a cape or throw something together from stuff around the house. At least show the spirit instead of showing up with a pillowcase. C'Mon! I dressed up EVERY YEAR!

I agree with you! It's about the tradition. You don't have to have something super elaborate or expensive... just try.

I give those without costumes a simple tootsie roll or wrapped (hard) gumball... especially "those" teenagers. If I get angry or "give me more" faces, I politely tell them to try a little harder with their costume.


See HERE for more discussion on the subject.

haha~~~~~~zheshishenneluntana

What I do every year is have some chip bags filled with air fo the ones that don't even try by time they find out they don't know who gave it to them so you don't get egged

I also agree. I'm usually in costume when I answer the door. Should I expect any less from the kids that come knocking?

Yeah, I got some kids (older ones of course) sans any sort of costume. I dont get it. Isn't that the whole idea? ...getting dressed up and all? I would settle for any attempt at a costume. Seems as though lots of kids just want somthing without playing along. It really doesnt take any money at all. Grab a bowl and put it on your head for heavens sake. Strange. I just toss the no effort kids a little sucker and wish 'em a good evening

All kids including teenagers came in costume. Had some adults in costume as well. Everyone was so polite it was just amazing!

my local teenage kids came and were dressed up, the problem is that i take my 3 year old trick or treating so i just put candy in my skeleton (he has a tray that he holds) and then i leave cauldron's on the ground with the extra candy that won't fit in the skeletons tray, anyway, those teenage kids came and took ALL my candy ( i had ten bags of fun dip, skittles, starbursts, etc, the bigger candy bags) didn't leave a thing for the little ones, thinking next year my daughter and i will have to hold out till that group comes and goes and then go trick or treating, i felt so bad thinking other kids drove over from neighboring towns and there wasn't any candy.

On the other thread Halloweenscreamqueen said she used to buy masks to give to some of the kids - I think that's a great solution. I'm thinking if I had a bunch of cheap masks from Oriental Trading to give as an alternate (or additional?) treat besides candy, then the kids could even pick one out that appeals to them - sort of an after the last minute getting into the spirit of things.

Even a kid who started the night "Too cool" for a costume might be actually wishing they had one by the time they get to your door, and willing to put on a mask for the rest of the night. And if the kid had no money for a costume, then that helps them too. I mean, your teenager that really really doesn't want to dress up might refuse a mask, but for the rest of them it might work. I wouldn't be a jerk about the fact that they don't have already have a costume - I would maybe just offer masks as a choice along with the candy, if I see some of the kids aren't dressed up as they're coming up to the door?

Why don't you ask them why they aren't in costume.... their answer may surprise you

I was a teacher and worked with preteens and teens for 10 years... and I have literally heard thousands of Halloween stories

And I can tell you kids don't wear costumes for a variety of reasons... not just because they think they are too cool..

I had kids whose siblings destroyed their costumes out of jealousy or to prevent them from tagging along

I had kids who got "jumped" for their costumes on Halloween.... which actually happened when I was a kid also (older kids would steal costumes from younger kids so they could go toting.... or would steal costumes they really liked... or try to prevent other kids from wearing "their" costume.....it even happens in the schools)

I have had kids who have had their costumes stolen out of their backpacks, or lockers

I had kids with religious parents who wouldn't let them dress up

I had kids with parents/grandparents/siblings who gave their costumes a way (accidently... thinking it was an old costume... and on purpose.... arguing that they didn't deserve it)

I had kids who were promised costumes that were never delivered

I had kids whose costumes broke, hurt them, didn't fit properly, wern't warm enough , were too warm, had poor visability, or poor mobility so they couldn't wear them

I had kids who took off their costumes after being teased by homeowners or other kids.

I had kids who forgot their costumes and couldn't retreive them in time

I had kids who couldn't afford to buy a costume and were too embarassed to wear a costume they made themselves

I even had a kid whose divorced parents were fighting over the use of her costume.... the dad purchased it for her for his Halloween party but wouldn't let her wear it to tot with her mother.... her mother wouldn't purchase her another costume because she already had a costume... the dad finally agreed to bring it... but never showed up

I think in general teens have more problems with costumes.... it is difficult to find a costume that fits them, interests them, is appropriate (especially for teen girls), and is affordable

And often parents are not involved