As long as they wear a costume, I don't care about the age. Hollowe'en should be for everyone. Not everyone is able to have a party themselves, and some receive no invitations.

We have had adults who were living in group homes come to our house. They were having a great time trick-or-treating.

I think it should be an individual decision to trick-or-treat. If a person doesn't want to give treats that is their decision also.

If you do decide to give treats everyone should be welcome.

That is something I never even considered!!!  That's a very good point.  Now I feel like a total meanie.  ;-)

 

vivasuzi said…

rulistenin I like the business idea.  I always thought I'd take my kid to the mall trick or treat when they are really young but they usually do that on another day besides Halloween.

I don't know how you guys turn down the candy!  If I am at the door showing off my baby and the neighbor says "here have a piece of candy" I'd take it in a second :-D  I don't think I'd carry a bucket for the baby like some parents do, but i might empty out my purse so I can slyly stash the offerings there ;)  But like I said, when my sister does this this year or when I would do this with my future babies, it would really only be the close neighbors and mostly just to show of the baby, not for the candy.  Many people LOVE to see your baby in costume, my sister has an "open house" type deal just so we can come over and see the little cutie :)

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I went every year until my junior year in college.  The Baptist university (MikeMaroon knows what I'm talking about) was surrounded by church members and faculty and staff so it was neat for us to trick-or-treat.  We just wanted the free candy and at a Christian college we had a lot of restrictions so this was a perk. 

2 years ago I did the trick-or-treating at the mall with my best friend and her children.  Because I was in a costume many of the merchants also gave me candy.

Okay, I am short and petite and everyone thinks I'm cute.  I definitely don't look my age and it was all in fun.

Now I live in the woods so I don't get trick-or-treaters.  I will probably go back to the mall with my friends but this year I am not dressing up.

I guess it's okay when the houses you go to know you because then they know it is being done in fun.

We are also allowed to take our candy bags to the local hospitals and they will pass them through the x-ray machines to scan for any kind of metal, blades, etc. 

Most people in my area don't knock on doors after 7 or 8.

Finally, I agree with the person who commented on how we don't want to rush our children into adulthood too soon but then put restrictions on little things that could allow them to enjoy their childhood a little longer.

I agree totally...To me older kids need to leave it for the younger ones..15 is good..As you can see my daughter is 14 and is going this year..But I don't know about next year..She looks older..But she always dresses up..Once you can drive,you can go to a party..Thanks for answering..I'm 38 so I guess I'll go this year too...lol..My daughter is going as Jigsaw(from the SAW movies) and wants me to go as her victim.....But I don't want to do it for the candy(if I do)..It's more for her..I humiliate myself on a regular basis for her..lol

Someone said "when they start to look like adults".  I think that's an unfair thing to say because I have a friend who's into her 30s and jokes how she looks 15, yet some 15 year olds look 20!  The point is, if you are going to pick an age, pick an age, but I wouldn't base on whether or not they LOOK older because then all their friends would be going out but they wouldn't just because they sprouted earlier.

I like the 16 limit.  At 15 you can't drive so yes, go for a walk and get some candy :)  At 16, you can drive, so go to the store and buy your own :)

vivasuzi said…

Someone said "when they start to look like adults".  I think that's an unfair thing to say because I have a friend who's into her 30s and jokes how she looks 15, yet some 15 year olds look 20!  The point is, if you are going to pick an age, pick an age, but I wouldn't base on whether or not they LOOK older because then all their friends would be going out but they wouldn't just because they sprouted earlier.

I like the 16 limit.  At 15 you can't drive so yes, go for a walk and get some candy :)  At 16, you can drive, so go to the store and buy your own :)

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I have your friend beat... lol... I'm in my 40s, but I look like I'm 12 ;D

... it really is true that deciding what people can do or not do based on their looks can be very hurtful or offensive.

I have to work Halloween night, so I won't be home to see who is out trick-or-treating anyway.

rulistenin said…

vivasuzi said…

Someone said "when they start to look like adults".  I think that's an unfair thing to say because I have a friend who's into her 30s and jokes how she looks 15, yet some 15 year olds look 20!  The point is, if you are going to pick an age, pick an age, but I wouldn't base on whether or not they LOOK older because then all their friends would be going out but they wouldn't just because they sprouted earlier.

I like the 16 limit.  At 15 you can't drive so yes, go for a walk and get some candy :)  At 16, you can drive, so go to the store and buy your own :)

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I have your friend beat... lol... I'm in my 40s, but I look like I'm 12 ;D

... it really is true that deciding what people can do or not do based on their looks can be very hurtful or offensive.

I have to work Halloween night, so I won't be home to see who is out trick-or-treating anyway.

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So what your'e saying is that fifteen year olds with facial hair should trick-or treat.  I guess that's ok, since they would get candy in my neighborhood as long as they are costumed and respectful.  Although you believe all twelve year olds should be able to trick-or-treat, they still need to dress up, whether they look their age or not.

I'm 16, and I still trick or treat. Sort of. My little cousins are 4 and 6, and I usually go to their house. There's always a little halloween party there with some of their friends. Trick or treating is a family thing. We all walk with the small kids, and often all of us dress up. I think I will always dress up for Halloween, even if I'm going to a party instead of going trick or treating. I sometimes walk up to the door with my cousins, mostly to make sure they wait their turn and say thank you. BUT, often people give me candy too. I'm only 5'1, and I look younger than my age. If people notice my age, I don't think they mind. I leave it up to them- not pushy or anything. I think Halloween should be about having fun and staying safe, and if I get a little candy then that's okay with me too. :)

I have a 11 year old and a 4 year old I try to do the samething i did with my 11 year when he was younger, and my 11 year he alredy likes parties,but he loves to help with his little brother.this is something he fells like he can do with his brother .

About 13/14, unless you're the older sibling taking out the younger ones, then I think the older siblings should partake too! ;o) I look forward to seeing babies in costumes at my door too though! These newer creative baby costumes are a must to dress up with!

Again with the age thing.  I don't have to go anymore.  All my kids take their kids now. I will give treats to anyone who is costumed, respectful, and says "trick-or-treat"

I can't wait to see what my sister is dressing her kids as tonight!  She won't tell us, it's a surprise.  Last year my nephew was Yoda and he was the cutest 1 year old Yoda EVER!  This year he is two and she just had the new girl this month!  I have a feeling they will be something matching but no idea yet.

There was another thread about this more recently and I changed my stance a little bit - when the child feels awkward trick or treating that should be when they stop.  Some kids feel weird about it at 12, others still have fun with it til they are 18!  As long as you are in costume and nice, as everyone here said, I would still give candy.  But I don't give candy at my house anyway b/c we go to my sisters for halloween.

The "big kids" probably enjoy trick or treating more than the a lot of the little ones. So, I don't care about the age. I give the teens that I know cold sodas too, because I know they only hit a few homes where they know they're welcomed.

I figure the older kids could sure be up to lots worse than getting some candy.

Also, I remember going to a certain house as a child. The lady was very nice to me, but she reamed out the kid behind me, because she said he was too old to be trick or treating. We were in the same class and both about age 12. I was small. He was big. How fair was that? And I'll bet it ruined his evening too. The lady really was rude to him, and I knew then that I'd never be the mean old lady bashing a kid who just happened to be big for his age.

Anyone who acts nice (and that's not been a prob here) is welcome at my house.