I gave up handing out candy on Halloween several years ago, when children started showing up at my door not with cute little tote bags or pumpkin buckets but with
pillowcases loaded with candy. About the same time, ads such as the one above began appearing in the local newspaper. I understand the dentists' rational, but it grates on my nerves that dentists have to purchase candy to keep their patients' teeth healthy. Where are the parents in this scenario? Where is the adult that says, "Let's go home and watch a video, or pop some popcorn, or visit grandma" when the child has a reasonable amount of candy or treats.
Halloween has turned into a festival of gluttony, and I refuse to take part. Just call me a Halloween Scrooge!
I must admit I struggle with Halloween too, for the same reasons you mentioned. I must be old-fashioned, but I think of Halloween trick-or-treating as an activity for the under-10 or maybe under-12 crowd. The teen or even older exercise in gluttony isn't so cute. Bring back the tiny princesses and cowboys with their little plastic pumpkin buckets, and I won't dread "Trick or treat!"
ReplyDeleteThis year has been difficult for our household as a member of the household has been recently diagnosed with diabetes. Finding a candy that anyone won't or can't eat has been difficult. I finally purchased red licorice because not only does it pull out dentures if I ate it I'd end up in the ER because of the food dye. I hate Halloween and join you in your Bah Humbug.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! I'm married to a diabetic. I don't like (most) candy. I don't like the gluttony and greed either, but we don't have any littles in our rural neighborhood, so... lights out, and we'll likely go to out to dinner too.
ReplyDeleteI am Bah Humbug because I am worried about what they will do to our community, it's our first time in a house for decades, and I have no real idea what to expect...
ReplyDeleteOh and there's more, but that's tomorrows post.
Jen
I agree! And I stopped a few years back, as well, when most of the 'kids' coming were teenagers, and weren't even in a costume! Just punks! Now we darken the house, and go out to dinner! By the time we return.....it's all over! PLUS..... Now I don't have all that dang candy in my house, calling my name! :o)
ReplyDeleteOh yes...we quit YEARS ago...Our oldest daughter...went out once....after that we quit ...so it has been many years!!
ReplyDeleteI am also with you! My parents always took me and my siblings until we were too old, but I think it was just for the sake of tradition, we wouldn't visit more than a few streets. I suppose I just liked the treats my professional baker mother made better.
ReplyDeleteI think I will spend Halloween with you in Wyoming next year!! That's what we should do--all get together in Wyoming for a big "We hate Halloween" party!! I am soooo with you on this one Nancy.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy, nice to meet you! I totally agree about Halloween. I hated it when my kids were growing up and I hate it still---especially those pillowcases!!
ReplyDelete