tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post177986199734256979..comments2024-03-29T07:46:36.996-04:00Comments on EPBOT: This Was HalloweenJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-81173594815574523362016-11-29T02:03:22.702-05:002016-11-29T02:03:22.702-05:00I'm late to the party, but Halloween at my hou...I'm late to the party, but Halloween at my house was exactly the same as all the years I've lived here: easily over 1,000 kids trooped up to the door asking for candy. :) My favorites we're the entire Doctor Who family (Mom TARDIS, son Eleven, daughter Dalek and WEE TINY BABY WEEPING ANGEL!) and the little girl dressed as Katara. All I could see of her costume under her raincoat was the necklace. But I knew exactly what it was, and said "Hey, Katara!" And her face just LIT UP. And her dad, behind her, did a double fist-pump into the air. ^_^<br /><br />We go through a LOT of candy. 0_obrightshadowskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11375887118621650915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-89680823435606835652016-11-19T22:34:35.426-05:002016-11-19T22:34:35.426-05:00Hey Jen, have you considered running costume works...Hey Jen, have you considered running costume workshops for kids in your area, instead of / as well as handing out lollies? You and John and great at craft and costuming, you could pick a theme (steampunk, pirates, etc) and help the disadvantaged kids get a costume together - even something as simple as decorating paper masks, hats (there's a fairly basic origami technique which will turn a sheet of newspaper into a hat), swords, etc.<br /><br />I know you've got agoraphobia and anxiety, but kids (especially little kids) are usually great when you're offering fun, crafty stuff to do.Jessica Kortehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18277277914188504326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-28235856166199250632016-11-19T22:31:12.294-05:002016-11-19T22:31:12.294-05:00Go away, this blog is a happy place.Go away, this blog is a happy place.Jessica Kortehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18277277914188504326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-67868287527308542872016-11-11T20:59:47.312-05:002016-11-11T20:59:47.312-05:00Hmmm...I think maybe this is the right attitude. A...Hmmm...I think maybe this is the right attitude. After reading your post, I'm finding it easier to forgive the lack of costumes and "trick or treat." I guess the only thing left to gripe about then is the trick-or-treater who ripped the candy bowl out of my hands and dumped it all into his bag before running off without any consideration for the friends he had with him. He was at least ten years old, so definitely old enough to know better. I'm just glad his mother wasn't around to see it, I'm sure she would have been so embarrassed. There's really no excuse for such bad manners. Lucky Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08181110276713779957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-71107297118472326992016-11-10T01:48:49.517-05:002016-11-10T01:48:49.517-05:00I bought a 20 lb mixed bag of heath/Reese's/ki...I bought a 20 lb mixed bag of heath/Reese's/kit Kate, dressed up in my hogwarts attire, sorting hat by the door....and got 6 trick or treaters. I'm so sad. When we moved here the whole cul de sac decorated and celebrated. Now, due to the economics of the past decade, some homes are empty, while others just turned of the light. I guess many of the families that used to drive up here no longer do. Only 4 of the trick or treaters were little, but my last 2 of the evening were a high school couple dressed as a very good interpretation Jack & Sally. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01050003290065377579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-77087043760098759382016-11-07T11:43:33.379-05:002016-11-07T11:43:33.379-05:00That's a good idea, but our driveway slopes st...That's a good idea, but our driveway slopes steeply right into the road. We do have a cute little hill and tree next to the driveway, tho. We could probably set up a cute little spot to sit under the tree and hand out candy.GeekishlyAproposhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14921609321004051936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-46807909214977994882016-11-07T11:36:46.077-05:002016-11-07T11:36:46.077-05:00And then there's the problem of living in a co...And then there's the problem of living in a colder/wetter part of the country where it might be Halloween, but it's also raining and you just have to wear a coat. I had to explain that to my husband (who's from a warm state) that no, those girls were wearing costumes, they were just *also* wearing coats that covered most of the costumes.<br /><br />I live up a flight of stairs form the street and some years I get 5 kids, and one year I ran out of candy. (4 pieces of candy, 5 teenage boys. I managed to scrounge up some weird-flavored mints of the last kid.)Margothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03888005312548604414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-131150359677125042016-11-05T01:19:23.837-04:002016-11-05T01:19:23.837-04:00I've been in places with 0 trick or treaters t...I've been in places with 0 trick or treaters the last few years, and that is much sadder than having a whole bunch, with a few substandard costumes thrown in.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12799744945300903786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-66971300682692463132016-11-04T20:03:51.074-04:002016-11-04T20:03:51.074-04:00You're so right- often, Halloween costumes can...You're so right- often, Halloween costumes can be pricey and everyone deserves to have fun regardless of money!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-91910741574350373052016-11-04T17:10:30.897-04:002016-11-04T17:10:30.897-04:00At my door if you are wee and don't have a cos...At my door if you are wee and don't have a costume I has for a joke. If they can't they get candy anyway. If they are a teenager without a costume I ask for a rousing rendition of Mary Had a Little Lamb. I have yet to have one NOT do this with enthusiasmPetrathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06899480546427644624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-41530758353878467582016-11-04T14:45:21.578-04:002016-11-04T14:45:21.578-04:00"....and live in a world where the color of t..."....and live in a world where the color of their faces often dictates what they can do and what they can like." It's self imposed. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-54094568913260579052016-11-04T13:33:05.667-04:002016-11-04T13:33:05.667-04:00I'm late to the comment party but had to join ...I'm late to the comment party but had to join in. I adore Halloween! It's the one night of the year that I actually like and welcome children. I live in a small rural town so most are pretty polite. <br /><br />One little girl had a great costume on and I complimented her and she told me I should watch some show (she said it too fast and I didn't know what it was) because it was a really good show, so I assume that's what her costume was modeled on, but as she trotted off I thought, "I bet Jen would know what show she was talking about."<br /><br />One of my favorite costumes of the night was a solo girl dressed in a bomber jacket at boots. It was so different from any other costume I'd seen that night I asked who she was and the reply was "Amelia Erhardt." I loved that! (Yes, a scarf and goggles would have made it better, but not everyone can afford those or has them.) I told her I had just been to a memorial for Amelia that is near the spot where she had a summer home here in Wyoming. I gave the girl extra candy.Cowgirl68https://www.blogger.com/profile/03345602558147085951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-21898299698486790432016-11-04T13:11:52.365-04:002016-11-04T13:11:52.365-04:00And stealing from a trick-or-treater is hilarious?...And stealing from a trick-or-treater is hilarious?Cowgirl68https://www.blogger.com/profile/03345602558147085951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-90359111514641229842016-11-03T20:09:50.060-04:002016-11-03T20:09:50.060-04:00We took our 1 year old out for the first time this...We took our 1 year old out for the first time this year(he was only a month old last Halloween so it would have been a little ridiculous lol!). He was a skunk, and super adorable if I say so myself. We only went to a few houses but the grand thing about having a cute little is people loaded up his bucket even though he can't eat most of it, so lots for me and the hubs to share!<br /><br />Our block is mostly retirees, with a few young families. The former are always super excited to hand out candy, but the last few years hardly anyone has come treating. Also probably why my little guy got handfuls of stuff. Once we came home to hand out candy(around 6), only three, THREE kids came to our door. :( <br /><br />Part of it is maybe because a lot of malls in the city have Halloween events and people just take their kids to those. But then other people say they run out of candy super quick, so I guess people just don't come to our spot. Ah well. Our little dude had fun. By the last few houses he kind of got it: when we left the houses he would wave and say "bah". Only once we were back on the main sidewalk, lol, but it's the thought that counts.<br /><br />As far as teens/no-costumes, I'd give candy anyway. Like someone else said, there are much worse things they could be doing.da_finkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15763717237228518377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-20944058930678259642016-11-03T17:57:51.820-04:002016-11-03T17:57:51.820-04:00Our best friends really love Halloween. The yard i...Our best friends really love Halloween. The yard is decorated, they're in costume, they go all out for their neighborhood. But what really sets them apart is that they offer mulled wine and hot apple cider for the adults. The kids ring the bell and get handfuls of candy, and my friend pops down the stairs with a tray of hot drinks for the grownups. I should add that we're in the Seattle area so it's never more than 50 degrees and it's most likely raining on Halloween. The adults are more excited for a hot drink than the kids are for candy. :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214048105366747764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-33833900109134685242016-11-03T17:27:25.321-04:002016-11-03T17:27:25.321-04:00Along with candy,I gave out thrift store kids'...Along with candy,I gave out thrift store kids' books this year, for the first time, after stealing that idea from someone else.:) I am going to do it every year. Some kids wanted nothing to do with books, but others were so excited and happy, and so were their parents. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-20400557778610258472016-11-03T10:48:53.807-04:002016-11-03T10:48:53.807-04:00Awesome Idea! I'm stealing this!Awesome Idea! I'm stealing this!<br />Luvin' Ewehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14097401234794243497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-21869845715937154542016-11-03T10:00:17.497-04:002016-11-03T10:00:17.497-04:00I love love love this post!! We once had a kid wh...I love love love this post!! We once had a kid who had three different masks and made several quick changes in our driveway to grab some more candy. I made to protest, but then had to laugh at his cleverness. If you're going to make the effort to come to the door, costume or no, old or young, once, twice, or three times, I'm gonna give you some candy. Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08549828191892834207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-70014909512149170362016-11-02T21:44:14.263-04:002016-11-02T21:44:14.263-04:00Every year I buy a bunch of kids' books from t...Every year I buy a bunch of kids' books from thrift stores and give them out with the candy. Now I hear kids saying "it's the house with the books!" I try to get a bit of everything from board books to chapter books to young adult. One dad across the street credits me with making his son a huge reader; about six years ago, when his son was about three, he got two "Magic Treehouse" books from me and apparently he's been devouring books ever since!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817156766847091699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-47884307158978902572016-11-02T19:21:25.758-04:002016-11-02T19:21:25.758-04:00I love that the Dreamfinder and Figment gave out c...I love that the Dreamfinder and Figment gave out candy at your house! <br /><br />We had more trick-or-treaters on Monday than we've had in the past 5 years combined! It was awesome! We've had several new families move into our neighborhood which I think revitalized the Halloween spirit. I think some other families may have come to our neighborhood too, but that's OK with us. Pretty much everyone was super polite and very enthusiastic -- even the parents/grandparents collecting candy. I even had one kid do the "Trick or treat. Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat" classic. I high-fived him and gave him extra stuff.<br /><br />Everyone on my street totally decked out their houses. I felt really bad that my house was naked, so I bought a Snoopy decoration for the door and dragged the old skeleton out from where I've stored my classroom stuff. Skelley's looking a little weathered, though, and actually made me a bit nervous when I caught him in my peripheral vision, so I put my animal shelter volunteer apron on him and gave him a stuffed doggie on a leash to make him look a little friendlier.<br /><br />The last time I gave out non-candy stuff, it didn't go over very well (still finding TP in the tree), so I was a little reluctant, but the glow sticks and "Ghoul-Aid" pouches were a huge hit. I picked up some candy too, just in case, but that was 3rd on the list of choices.<br /><br />Next year, I have to really "bring it" with the decor.<br /><br />The one negative was trying to keep our 70-pound dog from jumping up on all the trick-or-treaters to give kisses. (She especially loves kids.) I finally put her in our bedroom with some treats, but she apparently preferred eating the door frame to eating the treats. <br />-ZippyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-17032659050407000532016-11-02T18:29:21.107-04:002016-11-02T18:29:21.107-04:00I totally agree (high school teacher here). This ...I totally agree (high school teacher here). This made my day even better!<br />-ZippyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-79458707338200394412016-11-02T18:24:37.335-04:002016-11-02T18:24:37.335-04:00Love this post, Jen! This is exactly what Hallowe...Love this post, Jen! This is exactly what Halloween is about.<br /><br />Halloween is not a thing here in New Zealand, but it is starting to catch on in some neighbourhoods. Our first year here we had 30 trick or treaters and I was so excited, the next year I decorated and waited anxiously, only to get one kid all night. This year I went all out on handmade decorations and posted our address to multiple forums so people could find us and... we got 60 kids! At least half of them were wearing home-made costumes which I love, and only two weren't in costume at all. They were with a larger group, so I assume their friends pulled them into it at the last minute.<br /><br />We were really surprised because the house across the street was also handing out candy and the little girl living in the house in front of ours was happily leaning out her livingroom window giving candy to Trick or Treaters as they walked down our driveway. It was so adorable! <br /><br />Probably my favourite part of the night was one of the very first visitors, a little boy, who shrieked when he saw our wall of paper spiders! Second best was when some friends stopped by with their kids and started plotting on how their families could help expand our Halloween display for next year! There are a lot of misconceptions amongst Kiwis about what Halloween is about, but to me it's a great holiday to connect with your neighbours and spread joy.Cyanide Cupcakehttp://www.cyanidecupcake.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-1229914009518170142016-11-02T18:13:27.915-04:002016-11-02T18:13:27.915-04:00That's sweet, Sharyn! We also had a very lat...That's sweet, Sharyn! We also had a very late trick or treater -- almost 9:30. Dad was still in his suit and tie, so I think that he may have been the delay. She was about 4 or 5 and our street was dark, so I gave her several handfuls of candy and a few of the glow-sticks I had left (those were waaaaay more popular than I thought they would be). She was so cute; she didn't realize I was trying to fill her treat bag for her and she kept turning around to go back to her dad.<br />-ZippyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-67186997740311598562016-11-02T18:02:52.831-04:002016-11-02T18:02:52.831-04:00You made my day, Darcy! :)
-ZippyYou made my day, Darcy! :)<br />-ZippyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-2981083334045676642016-11-02T17:31:12.538-04:002016-11-02T17:31:12.538-04:00Halloween is a mixed bag for me...I love the holid...Halloween is a mixed bag for me...I love the holiday but never really got a chance to participate. Dad was always working and Mom 'didn't believe' in Halloween. I had a couple of costumes for school over the years, and if i was lucky my grandparents or one of my uncles would come and get me and take me to visit grandma's neighbors, or even all around the block!<br /><br />When I got older, I handed out candy at my grandmother's for a few years. I live in way too remote an area to have any trick or treaters at all...we have had ten in the forty years my family has lived here! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com