Trick or Treating Age Debate

I just ran across a debate online. It was a debate over the cut-off age for trick or treating. I know it has been an ongoing point of conversation in our house. Every year my husband and I dressed up my son and took him around the neighborhood. This year he is 13, and we thought this would be his last year. This is the cut-off year for us.

When we did take him around we noticed that a lot of the trick or theaters were teenagers. They had no costumes and would push and shove ahead of the smaller children to get to the doors first. This upset my boyfriend. He used to get upset and verbally ask them where their costumes were?

I have to agree. Each year we put thought into our son’s costumes. Most years these costumes became expensive especially when he was younger. It was a little easier when he got older, because costumes could be made or put together. The whole premise of trick or treating is to dress up in some way. If you don’t at least make an effort, you shouldn’t be rewarded with candy and treats.

This year my son has decided to give up trick or treating and hand out candies at our house. He is going to dress up as a zombie this year, which is exciting to him and gross to me. He wants to dress up even though he is staying home. His father and I have even got into the ritual of dressing up through the years. I will be dressing up this year. I am not sure about his father. He will be busy decorating the front yard and entrance with all the scary effects we have accumulated.

My husband has even commented that if we have children without costumes, they may go home with less candy. I guess I will leave that up to my son, as he will be giving it out. I myself am on the fence with the whole issue. A costume doesn’t have to be bought. You can make one easily just from household items if you are inventive. I just hope this year we will see more children and not teenagers who don’t care about Halloween traditions.