Halloween

Won't be happening in my house either. We're going to go away down the country for the week and avoid it all.

We've had a chat about this in our house.

We'll probably raise it on the WhatApp group for our estate. The usual way we go trick or treating is that we only call on the houses that have decorated their front door. So I guess we'll put that on an "official" footing through the WA group and say that anyone who doesn't feel comfortable opening the door should just not decorate their house. And for those who do, we might ask them to put a bottle of sanitiser outside the door and don't let the kids rummage in a big bowl - just put the sweets into the loot bags for them.

We would usually make up bags of sweets and then go for the Roses/Celebrations box if we ran out (which happens a lot). So I guess we'll just make more bags this year and when we run out that'll be it.

You could also just put an "honesty" bowl with sweets outside your door. Some houses did that on our estate last year, if there was only one parent and they were shepherding their own kids around the estate. Of course, they tend to go a bit quicker but sure so be it, and then you'll still be in on the fun without taking any risks yourself.

Waterford playing Cork in Munster that day so I'll be taking no trick or treats that day lol

I'm thinking of trying to arrange something with the other parents in my kid's class - basically let the classmates do the rounds of each others' houses - it helps that most of them are in a reasonably small area geographically. The kids can go round in groups together as they're all together in school anyway. Bags of sweets outside like haribo minis so no fingers in bowls of sweets etc....

I don't see it going ahead.
London has cancelled new year's celebrations so that gives an answer really for other things.

I can't see it been a good idea going to random houses and then getting handed stuff, you just don't know where it is and numbers going up and up.

We’re not doing it this year. I’ll have some treats on standby for callers though. I live in the country so it’s dark at night, so planning to do a garden ghost hunt for the kids for treats with torches and lanterns, so they have some activities to look forward to. Might even light a little bonfire for them just out of sticks in a barrel down the garden, we’ll see.....

Im thinking of family house party for the little ones. Some sweets and games. No trick or treating this year I'd say.

Its definitely going to be cancelled this year....

Madness to let them out to be honest and many elderly will be keeping doors shut anyway.

Groups is the problem and meeting with others....

I’m not the mist child friendly zine but I always make n effort to be home and have mountains of quality junk to hand out at the door.

Definately not this year - and will not be impressed by anyone knocking . children are high risk carriers not to mention the virus living on and being transferable on paper/ plastic/wrappers etc.

Tradition or not there are enough Halloween traditions to resurrect for the kids to have a great time. I wouldn’t have any kind of a good opinion of any parent who let their kids out door to door to get infected or infect - despite the vampire season.

Pauliedragon wrote: »

MM was asked about halloween the other day and he was a bit cagey but I'd say they'll give an guideline on way or the other in the lead up.

Pity he didnt man up and repeat the basics - children are high risk carriers, not to go to people who are not in your pid, no unnecessary touching or minus two meter contact and going door to
door to strangers houses touching surfaces and knocking at doors and bells - out of the question. Is he a michéal or a mouse - man up.

I live in an area with loads of small children, and I normally go all out for Halloween. I don't like the idea of it this year though. If trick or treating isn't banned, which it probably should be, I'm going to get a Cauldron and leave it outside with some bags of sweets in.

Peyton Deafening Backpacker wrote: »

If they are in school they are probably coming into closer contact with more people than your average adult

I suppose you could say they are more high risk because they have more close contacts. That's fair enough.

Even then I can't see how answering the door, with them outside, and popping a couple of bags of treats into their bags before closing the door again would really increase your chances of catching anything.

Of course maybe you are protecting the children from you - in case you have contaminated the treats you are giving out. I do think that's taking it a tad far, especially since NPHET came out and said there's no need to disinfect groceries. If I was really worried about that with my kids, I'd tell them that they can't open and eat anything while trick or treating, have to wash their hands when they get in, and I'd keep a few treats for them to have when they got home. The trick or treat loot can go on a shelf for two days and then any virus on the packaging dies. Job done.

Then again, if oohing over another scary clown outfit before the more...ahem...confident children grab the treats is not your idea of a fun evening at the best of times, maybe this year is a good year to sit it out. We never call at doors that aren't decorated anyway.

I’m hoping to arrange a small trick or treating route among families from crèche. There’s a few within walking distance and they’re all in crèche together anyway so don’t see any added risk. Don’t think I’ll be doing general trick or treating though.

All the hotels who has guests booked, Halloween events on, now cancelled?

Clare_Culchie wrote: »

Sorry if this is discussed elsewhere - I couldn't find a relevant thread.

The shops are stocking up with big tubs of Haribos and all sorts of other candy for trick-or-treaters at Halloween, but I wonder if we should expect trick-or-treating to go ahead this Halloween?

I suspect sharing sweets with kids coming to the door in costume might be a particularly handy way for the auld virus to get its way around a neighbourhood.

I reckon there might be some encouragement for the schools and creches to do the whole costume thing and maybe even a little party within their pods. I'm kinda hoping for it.

TBH it's not an occasion I particularly care for myself - never really a fan.

Any thoughts yourselves?

I don't think Trick-or-Treatering will happen this year.

People will get sweets and do their own thing at home.

Relatives and family friends might drop a few bits off for kids as well. This can be done within your own county and people can wipe down packets, etc.