We’re in a heavy residential area so always get lots of kids.
Set up the Star Wars conflict of good and evil a couple of days ago. Today, put up a big white illuminated spider, fake pumpkins and real jack-o-lantern.
Put the candy in a Storm Trooper candy bowl and a big cloth pumpkin bag, then set them down in front of the steps.
We sat on the steps, drinking our wine, and inviting the kids to take what they wanted from either the Storm Trooper or the pumpkin.
Weather was nice; hovered around 0 C. I put de-icer on the driveway so none of the little ghouls would slip and fall and contact their lawyer-ghouls.
Classic late fall day: grey overcast, smell of woodsmoke, and hundreds of Canada Geese flying overheard, honking away (“time to go south yet? time to go south yet? time to go south yet?”)
Some of the kids said they liked the laid-back approach and being able to choose their own candy. We like the relaxed approach as well. Plus, if we did the more traditional route of the kids ringing the doorbell every five minutes, Piper Mutt goes crazy all evening.
In addition to the traditional costumes (vampires and Spider-men for boys, unicorns and princesses for girls), this year we got several hot dogs and condiment costumes.
Ran out of candy around 7.30, so unplugged the decorations, turned off the flaming porch light, and shut the door.