Please try to TREAT any child who comes to your home with open hand,
heart and mind.
Every year I hear neighbors complain that
"kids don't make an effort" are
"from other neighborhoods" or are
"too tall to be seeking handouts" or are
"strangers".
Can't we enjoy all those who "trick or treat"?
Great costumes are a bonus, but we, the adults, can plan to entertain,
not be entertained.
Many kids don't have the supports which make cute or clever costumes
possible.
Working parents, preteen anxiety or poverty might limit the apparel.
The child in jeans might be the kid with the greatest need of candy and
cheer.
Spread a spirit of costumed drama and childish glee.
Don't seek out fault in the children of Halloween.
Enjoy an audience that applauds tacky decorations and funky efforts, for
a simple bit of candy.
Here are my tips and requests:
1. Halloween is a chance to be altruistic. Recognize that strangers
can bring as much to the door as neighbors. If you are not comfortable
with strangers at the door than invite a friend to help you greet
Trick-or-Treaters.
2. Tenants - get in the spirit! See if you can coordinate the folks
who share your front door to make an effort to treat children.
3. Be aware that Pets may not understand Halloween.
Put treats and a chair near the door to reduce actual ringing of
doorbells.
Contain "escape pets" so that distractions don't result in lost animals.
Be careful to keep chocolate (any sweets) from pets.
4. Send clear signals:
*** If you are "OPEN" to Trick-or-Treaters. Put out a sign (decorations
are one) and turn on the Porch Lights.
If you don't have a porch light put a Flashlight in a Pumpkin or Paper
Bag with cutout facial features.
Buy extra candy. You don't have to eat the leftovers. Unopened candy
can be donated to teachers who can use it to encourage classroom
performance. Expect most kids to arrive between 5 and 7 PM. This leaves
plenty of time for Adults to kill the lights and head out to parties
after treating neighborhood "monsters".
*** If you really are a Grinch, (or if your boss won't let you go home
early) please put out a sign that says "Do not disturb" and save
yourself (and any pets) annoying rings. Put the sign at the bottom of
your steps to save kids extra steps or delays.
5. Don't assume kids without costumes are "lazy".
Offer "tattoos", stick-on Bindis or Earrings (28 /$1.00 in 'Party
Favors' at Dollar Stores).
View Halloween as an opportunity to hand out the surplus costume jewelry,
hats, purses, scarves or gloves that clutter
most of our homes. Keep these handy, just inside the door. Leftovers
can go to "Second-Mile" or another charity, and you achieve a
housekeeping bonus. Some kids may even let you pencil on a mustache or
thicken eyebrows. Makeup can be applied with disposable Q-tips.
6. Few people outgrow candy. Don't ignore the teens (or even
parents).
Give the benefit of the doubt to kids (like mine) who are 6' tall at age
13.
Halloween is my favorite holiday.
As a child I was one of 12. Christmas was stressful, but Halloween was a
time when we could fend for ourselves
in guilt-free pursuit of enough sweets to last for a very long time.
I enjoy treating those who visit our home.
I encourage all to share the spirit of Halloween.
Here is a site that I recommend.
The "CHILDREN'S SAFETY ZONE" at
http://www.sosnet.com/safety/halloween.tip.html
provides a helpful list of Safety Tips for
Trick-or-Treaters,
Parents and even
Home Owners
This note comes with my hope that all my family, friends and neighbors
will enjoy a safe and happy Halloween!
Liz
P.S. Maybe this October, I'll break into that previously homogeneously
gendered world of frequent posters.
Elizabeth Campion
http://ilead.realtor.com/display/?id=13380525&;
215-790-5653
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