I have three boys, 16, 14, and 9. The rule at my house is once you’re taller than me, you can’t trick-or-treat anymore. I think it’s ridiculous to open the door and have to tilt your head up to see a practically-grown man croak out in a Barry White-deep voice “trick or treat”. Most of the time these sullen pimply smelly creatures don’t even bother wearing a costume, they’re just out to get their candy, thank you very much so hand it over. So that’s the rule at my house, which hasn’t caused any problems so far. 13 has generally been what it comes down to, because I’m only 5’4, and neither of the teens showed any interest in it after that, anyway. They’re more than happy spending Halloween at the latest gorefest movie or at a party.
What’s your rule with your kids real or imaginary?
I’m 18 years old, and I would still be trick-or-treating if I had someone to go with me. We (my best friend and I) never stayed out for longer than a couple of hours, and we did it more so we could show up at our teachers’ houses and get candy from them. I’ve never been told that I was too old to trick-or-treat by any of the old ladies in my town, although my own mother was inclined to disagree. I figure it’s the one day of year when I can dress up and get candy from strangers, so why not enjoy it? I’m sure someone will complain that I’m immature and I was taking candy that should rightfully belong to children, but we were always polite and always had a bitchin’ time. We could have been out setting fires, egging houses or destroying pumpkins.
When I have children of my own, I doubt I’ll tell them they’re too old. As far as I’m concerned, if they’re having fun and not being vandals, more power to them.
Oh. Well, maybe there’s a reason you can’t find anyone else your age that wants to go… because you’re too old? Sorry. At 18, you can get a job and buy your own candy.
People in my classes (university) were talking about trick-or-treating the other day. In my opinion, that’s rediculous - if you are going to grab some candy then go to the bar afterwards and get plastered, you’re too damn old!
Just my opinion - high school, as long as the kids make an effort to dress up and are polite. Halloween is fun, high school kids are…kids. Just seems okay to me.
I technically went trick-or-treating until I was 18. At some point around junior high it became less about getting my own candy than taking my little sister, who is 7 years younger than me. Eventually I acquired friends of my sister, and other neighborhood children who were latch-key kids and would have had to wait until their parents got home from work. I went out with my gaggle after school. I wore a costume because the kids insisted I had to-- and I’d eat the candy the kids rejected. I also got any change that was given out. Some years I cleared a whole $3.
I’d have probably stopped when I was 12-13 otherwise. My sister stopped at 11 when I went to college. I live in trick-or-treat central now (school down the street) and I see all ages. Mostly adorable children and parents who come up to the porch to try and subtly get a look into our house (a well preserved Gothic Victorian-- I get a lot of “Say thank you, Timmy. I’ve always wondered what this house looks like inside.” Like I might invite them for a tour). Some teenagers. You don’t get candy without a costume. Last year we had my sister-in-law over for dinner on Halloween, and she opened the door to a bunch of uncostumed late-teenage boys. She just snorted and shut the door without a word. I’m usually politer.
From a non-American perspective? All children should stop harrassing neighbours for lollies LAST YEAR! I’m sure Halloween is a fine American tradition but it seems to have insidously sneaked into New Zealand via the ever helpful sitcom.
NOOOOOOOO do not knock on my door. This is NOT America and the parents bringing you to my door know damn well they never did the whole halloween thing when they were kids!
To the parents; when you can show ME that YOU carved a fucking pumpkin then I say you are feel free to take up the whole halloween thing. You show me the pumpkin, I may give your kid a lolly.
I did a similar thread not long ago because I was feeling doubtful about letting my sixteen year old daughter go trick or treating with her friends this year and the general consensus was that if she was wearing a costume and behaving, it was…acceptable.
Queen of Town has to be joking. Please let her be joking.
18?
I had my own apartment at 18. Trick-or-treating? You SHOULD be out drinking and smashing pumpkins and throwing eggs, not dressing up asking for free candy. My god.
If you’re in a costume, any age. Yes, I too would give candy to David Simmons if he showed up in costume. I don’t think there should be a certain “age” to do a lot of things, particularly not something that’s harmless and happens once a year.
Why not let people dress up for fun and take part in a goofy evening? People should stay young-at-heart for as long as possible. I don’t think the point is just about scamming free candy.
Of course I’ve never been trick-or-treating at all, so what do I know.
If you want to dress up at 18, you can probably actually find a real Halloween party to go to. There’s tons of them.
If you want to dress up otherwise, go to a Ren Fair, a Rocky Horror Picture show, or a Star Wars premier. That’s embarrassing enough without the additional shame of waiting for the 4 year old who climbed up the stairs ahead of you to mumble out a “thank you” to wait for your turn to get your candy.
Christ, I’d have more respect for an 18 year old who is bringing her four year old trick-or-treating than one that is doing it herself.
I guess I just don’t care that much about embarrassment. I’m, I refuse to spend my life caring about what other people think. I did that plenty when i was younger.
About 12 - a little older if you have younger siblings.
We turn off the lights at our house once we get more big kids than little kids. Fortunately, the little kids trick or treat early, the bigger ones start coming later.
In my family, the Halloween we were 12 was our “last” Halloween.
Now that I’m grown, I too will hand out candy to anyone in a costume. Seems a little silly to be harrassing the neighbors for sweets at age 25 but, hey, I’m not spoiling your good (?) time.
After 12 or 13 or so, no costume, no candy – unless you’re obviously an older sibling escort in which case I think you should get some candy too.
