Haloween

[grandfatherd]

I am expecting plenty of door knockers on haloween night, and as in earlyer years I will ask the question "what is aloween", and what do you mean by "trck or treat" invariably all I get is a blank look. I do not ask this question to embaress the child but I would realy like to know. I am sure one of you out there will be able to help me. THanks in advance

Danny,

[rowanwitch]

Trick or treat used to be the householders option to give a treat or a trick usually a stone wrapped up or some thing unpleasant but it now seems to mean give us sweets or money or we will egg bomb your front door, or worse key your car

[Dee Sa]

I have a notice which was printed last year in the council newspaper, its quite big and it says "No trick or treaters please" and you pin it to the front door, last year worked a treat [excuse the pun].

[rowanwitch]

I have asked trick or treaters not to bother elderly neighbours they were usually fine about it

[sandyRoe]

It's turning into begging with menaces

[daffy654]

We only get little children with their parents coming here, the teenagers don't seem to be too bothered about it as all they get is sweets, if we gave money we would probably be mobbed.

[mccfluff]

i had some drunk teeagers turn up clutching cas of stella they then proceeded to sing carols, very confusing that was. they didn;t seen happy when i told them i had some crisps and that was about it.

[firewatch]

first flat-not there for all hallows, second flat no one knew where our door was third flat no one knocked on hte main door and here, well im known as a wicked witch by the kids so prob none lol. where i grew up the house was flour bombed and egged each and evry year!!!!

[grandfatherd]

I have read all answers with interest, but I still dont know what "trick or treat" means, and where it origenates from.

[boxtops]

Trick or Treat has been imported from the States - as Rowan says in her first answer it means "if you don't give us a treat, we'll play a trick on you" - nothing more than that. tricks now seem to mean putting flour through your letter box etc.

We too put up the notices saying "clear off, we're not playing" - you can download them from most of the local police websites these days, I stuck mine up this morning.

[carolegif]

It used to be called 'mischief night' in years gone by, but you did mildly naughty things (like knocking on doors and running away etc.). The idea of blackmailing people into giving you 'treats' so you weren't naughty came frm the US. It is All Hallows Eve when all the spirits of the dead roam about. November 1st is All Souls' Day and is celebrated in Europe by families visiting family graves and putting chrysanthemum on them.
The idea of dressing up is so that the spirits do not recognise you whilst you are out and about.

[vulcan]

It has evolved from young children receiving sweets and other goodies to teenagers, usually drinking asking for money.If they don't get it your car usually bears the brunt of their frustration.