It’s Halloween! Who is Welcome to Trick or Treat at my House?

October 30, 2024

Diane Morrow-Kondos,

a family of four dressed up for trick or treating

One of our favorite family Halloween memories!

On October 31, I expect princesses, ghosts, zombies, witches, and maybe a Bluey or Doc McStuffins to show up at my door. There will be elaborate costumes that probably cost more than my wedding dress and creative costumes that look fresh off the Pinterest site. There will be last-minute ghosts created with a sheet and the standard black cat that’s always my go-to. Maybe some won’t even have a costume. I don’t care – I’m prepared to pass out candy to toddlers, kids, teenagers, and even adults whether they have the best costume or none at all. I love Halloween! Do I have rules and restrictions about who can trick or treat at my house?

Call me wild, call me crazy, but I am free and loose with my candy bowl. If you come to my door on Halloween, I’m going to give you candy. Are you a toddler who hasn’t learned to say “Trick or Treat” yet or a child who is too shy or non-verbal? It doesn’t matter, you don’t need to perform for me to get a piece of candy. Are you a teenager, or a gang of teenagers? Step right up, and I may even give you two pieces to applaud your choice to celebrate one of my favorite holidays by seeking treats instead of performing tricks. Whether you live in my neighborhood or came here because you heard it’s a good place to trick or treat doesn’t matter to me. I don’t even care if you are a full-fledged adult. I’ll give anyone the benefit of the doubt.

a halloween bucket filled with pho in front of a sign that says "one slurp of pho per trick or treater"

Is a slurp of pho better than handing out toothbrushes?

For all of you who are curmudgeonly candy withholders, let me remind you, it’s candy, only candy. It’s not gold, Rolex watches, or precious gems – just candy. Some misguided people try to sneak in dreaded raisin boxes, or worse, toothbrushes. Is it only candy, or can it be more? Can giving freely make your grinch-like heart grow a few sizes? Maybe a smile and the exchange of candy can make the world a friendlier place for this one magical evening? Generosity and kindness are rarely mistakes.

Sensitivity is important. Remember there are many disabilities that are invisible. That 35-year-old man with a mustache dressed as a cowboy may be a person with intellectual disabilities who loves dressing up and going door to door for candy. What kind of person would want to deny them the fun of Halloween? Trick or treaters go door to door filling pillowcases, buckets, and bags with candy and other treats. You might spot blue, teal, or purple buckets that signify someone might need some extra consideration.

a graphic that says "kids should not have to announce their disability to get candy"

It’s sad that kids need to carry colored buckets to receive kindness.

If everyone behaved well, there would be no need for differently colored buckets. A kid shouldn’t need to carry a colored bucket to get a piece of candy, but (deep sigh), I guess they sometimes do. If you see someone carrying a blue bucket, it most likely means they are autistic. This can, but not always, mean they may not be able to verbally communicate and may have different behaviors. The teal bucket signifies food allergies. If you have non-food treats, this is a good occasion to use them. Purple buckets are for epilepsy. Being aware of differences is good, but being kind, patient, and understanding should cover it all.

I can’t wait to see all the ghosts and goblins at my door on Halloween. I may sound like I am wild and crazy and live by no rules, but I do have one strict policy. The lights go off at 10 p.m. to signify the end of trick or treating. After all, I am an old witch, disguised as a cat, who needs her beauty sleep.