10/29/2024
Cross posted on the Vista Hills Neighbourhood group
Hi Vista Hills friends,
Our community has a lot of new to Canada and therefore new to Halloween folks.
There are tonnes of web pages explaining the tradition but what they don’t tell you about are some of the more subtle bits. So I thought I would share.
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Weather:
It happens. Trick or treating happens regardless of the weather. Rain, snow or freezing temps - There is no such things as bad weather, just bad clothing. Costumes are bad clothing!
When purchasing/making your kids costumes make them bigger so they can fit cold weather clothing under it. Kids hate covering up their costumes.
Be careful of long costumes that they don’t become a trip hazard.
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Halloween start and finish times:
Usually trick or treating starts around 6pm with the exception being the under 5 kids. They often start around 5/5:30 pm.
Trick or treating is done by 8:30/9 pm.
If you are driving into your neighbourhood between 5pm and 9pm. Drive with extra care. Excited kids often forget about cars. Please follow speed limits on Thursday night!
If you want to give out treats make your home look like it’s open for business. Turn on your outdoor lights, have a pumpkin or outdoor decorations.
If you DO NOT wish to give out candy, turn off your outdoor lights and put away of your decorations.
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Trick or treating kids:
For safety: start on one side of the street then cross and do the other. Keep in mind we live in an area where folks don’t follow the speed limits.
Try to put reflective tape on the back of costumes, bring a flash light, avoid masks, they make seeing in the dark much harder.
If a house has the lights turned off, pumpkins turned off or no decorations, they are not giving out candy. They are saying please don’t ring my doorbell.
If a house has run out of candy they will turn off all the lights - same rule applies. Please don’t ring the doorbell.
If there is a bowl out it does not mean take all. Please think of others and only take 1. Remember folks have cameras and can see what the kids are doing.
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What to give:
It does not always have to be candy - although that what the kids love.
Pop
Juice boxes
Chips
Individual wrapped lunch snack stuff like goldfish, welshes, granola bars, etc.
Stickers
Dollar store things like pencils and note pads
Some dentists give out toothbrushes (although kids are never a fan of that one lol)
Avoid - apples, home made treats - basically stay away from anything that does not come pre-wrapped.
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Halloween is on Thursday it’s also Diwali so there will be folks celebrating both. Be mindful that Halloween costumes and fireworks are not a good combination.
We at the Vista Hills Community Gardens wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween and a joyful Diwali.
