Halloween final count

[telophase]

200+ kids. We live one block from an elementary school (used to be a middle school, but they changed this year), have the only neighborhood in the area with sidewalks, and there's a few apartment complexes in the area with lots of kids who come over here for Trick or Treating. I expected fewer because the weather was unusually cold for the season (for Texas, that is!): low 40s°F with wind, but the kids just bundled up.

Costumes: lots of Captains America, both Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers. Multiple Black Panthers. One Shuri. Several Captains Marvel and Wonder Women. One Supergirl. A number of princesses, including one practical princess who had bundled up in her parka then put her dress on OVER her parka. One teeny tiny Stormtrooper I spotted across the street who didn't come to our house. I expect they got tired before getting to our place. One adorable small yellow shark. One father-son duo of banana (dad) and chimpanzee (kid). A couple of sparkly unicorns. Several superhero and video game characters that we didn't recognize, being Olds and therefore Not Up on what the younger set is into thee days.

A lot of kids just didn't bother with costumes this year; the usual run of teenagers who just put on hoodies along with a bunch of kids who I suspect had costumes too flimsy for the weather. I used to be a bit more salty about older teenagers Trick or Treating, but I've mellowed with age: it's been a shit couple of years for everyone, plus I have no idea what their home lives are like. If I can give them a bit of a good memory, why not? I also used to be salty about kids from outside the neighborhood coming in, but then realized that apartment complexes just don't do Trick or Treating, and some of the other kids may not live in neighborhoods that are safe to ToT in. Plus, there's that whole "our neighborhood has the only sidewalks in the area" thing: with the number of cars driving around and the limited visibility and mobility that costumes can offer, we really are the best place to go.

One thing I am definitely salty about: the older kids who grab a handful of candy instead of taking just one or two pieces. Small ones I can forgive, but the bigger ones...well, ok, they mostly seem to be testing boundaries. When I said "Hey, let's go for just one or two there, ok? Leave some for others," with a smile, they usually put most of it back.

In other news, Not-That-Seekrit Fandom Identity got 4 fics in Trick or Treat. :D

Comments

[larryhammer]

We got 6 kids total, including a Lytten. Two blocks over was where the neighborhood action was at. (Only a couple houses on our block were giving out treats.) Eaglet didn't trick-or-treat at all here, as a couple school friends live in one of the really happening neighborhoods.

[adafrog]

Wow, great numbers.

[conuly]

My only rule is Respect the Law of Costumes.


...but I reserve the right to let that slide for younger kids (clearly not teens) or kids shepherding smaller kids around instead of doing their own event that they'd rather go to, or kids who can justify that their not costume really IS a costume. And the costume can be really shitty, just a mask.

I say nothing to teens wearing costumes. For all I know, they just are tall and went through puberty early (happened to me, and my mother still, all these years later, talks about That Horrible Bi*** the last year I went out, after my father died), and anyway, trick-or-treating is harmless compared to egging houses or whatever.

[golden_bastet]

We got exactly one visit (two kids). Mainly because I got home late from work, and there were all sorts of warnings about bad weather (and a later tornado warning) last night.

One kid looked like either Freddy Krueger or Shōnen Bat, wasn't sure which. Frankly, the other kid didn't look like he was trying all that much. Shōnen Bat took three pieces of candy, though it wasn't like I was about to run out.

Well, candy goes into the kitchen at work.

[golden_bastet]

You know, though - last year there was a teen with her pet duck, with a little wig and hat. The duck was perfectly mellow, too. I told her she'd won with her duck.

I was looking forward to seeing if she came out again. That one I will remember for years to come.

[elistaire]

I'm glad you're less salty about the older kids. I think its a really tough spot to be in, and getting out for a night might be a small joy. Although, yes, they shouldn't be grabbing up a handful of candy.