It’s that time of year again. You know the time. When people complain about kids who don’t live near them, or kids who don’t live in their neighborhood, coming to their house to ask for a PIECE OF CANDY. Yep, I’m referring to the Halloween Haters.
I know. I know. You live in the huge, popular neighborhood in your town, where you not only have to provide candy to your regular neighborhood kids, but also to kids who DON’T LIVE THERE.
{Here is where I’m supposed to loudly gasp with disgust}
Oh yeah. Except, I’m not disgusted by it. And maybe that’s because I don’t live in the big neighborhood, so I’m not forking over the added cost of feeding children for ONE NIGHT A YEAR. But I just can’t imagine that I would be as livid and as rude as I’ve seen some people be on social media about this. Actually, I know I wouldn’t be like that because I believe the more the merrier, and that we belong to each other, but I digress. Yes, I see your posts/comments. Yes, I think it’s crazy you’re upset.
I actually saw where a woman had typed, “I think they’re BUSING the poor kids in from miles away!” Or this gem, “I’ve never been a fan of people who go to other neighborhoods to trick or treat.” And another facebooker said, “I’m sick of paying for the extra mouths of the kids I don’t see in our neighborhood on a daily basis…I spent an extra $100 last year!”
WOW.
Let me mention this, in case you’ve forgotten, or it hasn’t dawned on you. Not every kid lives in a neighborhood. Some live on a busy street with no sidewalk. Not every kid lives near other homes. The next closest home might be 5 miles away. Not every kid lives near people who participate in Halloween. Not every kid lives in a SAFE neighborhood where they can walk outside (before OR after dark) and knock on unfamiliar doors, knowing they won’t be in danger.
NOT EVERY KID HAS WHAT YOUR KID HAS…a neighborhood, filled with homes that are warm and welcoming. Or maybe they aren’t, huh?! So I BEG YOU, before you complain AGAIN this year about this “problem,” keep some perspective. You have to buy extra candy, and see some unfamiliar faces, for a few hours on ONE night out of 365. But you may just make a kid’s (or many kids) day, week, or possibly life.
Because these are memories that can last a lifetime. Not just from the Halloween standpoint. But maybe they’ll notice that strangers were kind to them? Maybe they’ll get candy for the first time in a long time, because their parents struggle to get dinner on the table, let alone the “extras” like candy/pencils/stickers/treats?! Or maybe they just really love the decorations your neighborhood puts on display, where their home has none to look at? Maybe they just want to have carefree FUN for one night, and your neighborhood provides that for them?
Sure, there are probably some ungrateful, rude, disrespectful bad eggs in the bunch. But that goes for any neighborhood in America, and I can assure you that some of those rude kids LIVE in your neighborhood FYI! And even if they don’t, why punish the good kids because of a few?
So I ask you, is it really THAT big of a deal? Is it really THAT hard to give them a treat without being bitter? Is it really worth saying anything unkind about them, or their parents who may drive them there?!
And while I’m on the topic of giving out candy even when you don’t want to…give it to the dang teenagers and kids who didn’t put on a costume. I’m thrilled to pieces that they still want to get out there and walk door to door. I also don’t know their motives behind collecting the candy. I know of a few dentist offices that have a “buy back” program, where they’ll give you cash for your pounds of candy, and then they ship that candy to troops overseas! I call that hustling at its finest 😉
Or maybe they’re not getting enough food at home, and haven’t eaten since their free lunch at school? Do they have sensory issues and costumes just don’t work for them, as it’s tough enough to just get them dressed in pants with buttons on them? Does it really bother you THAT MUCH if they’re “too old” or “not dressed up”…or are you just “supposed” to be pissed?
Here’s an idea…try not to be annoyed. Instead, feel gratitude. Be appreciative that you live in such a wonderful neighborhood, that people WANT to be in it. Because, if you love all of the perks (fun, safety, decor, kindness) of where you live, how can you expect others not to notice, and want the same, for even just one night?
Or there’s always this idea…turn off the light, don’t answer the door, save all of your money, and don’t see any of the joy you could’ve brought to many faces. Like these…
Let’s have kindness be the superhero this Halloween, shall we?!
And if this post means something to you, please share it and get the word out!
And if you’d like to see some fun Halloween food ideas that will take you all the way from spider donuts at breakfast to a mummy-filled hot dog dinner, click HERE and head over to see lots of my tried and true EASY ideas!!!
PIN IT PLEASE!
Preach!!! This is spot on. Buy the dang candy, let the kids of all ages have fun and spread a little kindness.
thank you!!! lort help us all!
Yes, yes, yes! Agree about everything. Our neighborhood sucks for trick or treating so we go to the bigger one down the street. We’ve never been met with annoyance, thank goodness (maybe it’s a requirement when you buy in that neighborhood to know it’s the hip happenin’ place on Halloween?). And the people complaining about spending so much?? Don’t buy extra candy! Just buy what you want, give it out, turn your light off when it’s gone. Easy peasy!
exactly!!!
Yes 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 Just give the kids some candy or turn off the light! Sam goes for Christmas movies/music in Oct/Nov. If that’s too early for you then just don’t listen and watch .It makes some of us happy so just let us be! 🎄
thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!! i completely agree with all of the above 🙂 xo
This! We actually throw a party in our drive way – not just for our neighbors – but for anyone that comes by. Anyone at all. We serve hot dogs, treats and a LOT of smiles and laughter. We all dress up and my amazing neighbors got in on the act too and all bring food to share. It has been a tradition that we all look forward to year after year and, I hope, some kids like the ones you mention above are impacted by the kindness of strangers. Love makes the world go round after all.
THIS!!!!!!!!!!!! BRAVO to all of you! I know for a fact kids will remember you and this, and recall it for the rest of their lives 🙂 xo
OMG! Yes! I LOVE every single word!!!
THANK YOU for reading!! xo
I love this and completely agree!!!
thank you for reading!! xo
Yes!!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
thank you!!!
The pictures are just giving me life on this blog.
they’re the best 🙂 xo
Yes! As a kid I lived out in the country on a busy high speed road. It was not safe or even possible to trick or treat around where I lived. My parents usually drove us to a neighborhood where many of our fellow church members lived. Give the kids some candy.
YES! give the dang candy!
Great post
thank you so much for reading!
Love love love!!! You said it best!! My “motto” to live by……”just be kind”.
yep!!! i’m with ya! xo