What a great way to celebrate Halloween!
Halloween 2020?
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We live on a military installation and they have posted the COVID restrictions for Halloween recently. Trick or treating is from 4-6pm only. No groups larger than 6 persons unless they are all immediate family. Masks must be worn at all times, not Halloween masks but our normal cloth coverings. We are only allowed to put candy in individual treat bags and place them on a large table at the end of our driveway for kids to pick up as they walk along. We must stay at least 10 ft from the tables when kids are picking up a bag. If kids are out going door to door after 6pm security forces will escort them home.
I already told my twins they can trick or treat with friends (but no more than 4 additional kids) but at 6pm they must come home and take off their costumes before going out to the park with friends like any normal Saturday night (all the kids wear masks when out on Friday and Saturday nights), if they get brought home by Security Forces they will not be out of the house with friends until after Thanksgiving!
The kids hate that they have to trick or treat before dark, but said they are willing to deal with it this year just to be able to have trick or treating. Spouses club is throwing a costume parade the weekend before Halloween that all kids can walk along the path in the park, distanced 6 ft from each other, with masks on and at the end they can pick up a treat before heading home. All we can do this year and we will make it work.
I already told my twins they can trick or treat with friends (but no more than 4 additional kids) but at 6pm they must come home and take off their costumes before going out to the park with friends like any normal Saturday night (all the kids wear masks when out on Friday and Saturday nights), if they get brought home by Security Forces they will not be out of the house with friends until after Thanksgiving!
The kids hate that they have to trick or treat before dark, but said they are willing to deal with it this year just to be able to have trick or treating. Spouses club is throwing a costume parade the weekend before Halloween that all kids can walk along the path in the park, distanced 6 ft from each other, with masks on and at the end they can pick up a treat before heading home. All we can do this year and we will make it work.
W2R
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Hallowe'en neurosis? LOL
I am at that age when a lot of people that I know and care about are dying. Several good friends and close relatives died in 2019, and in February my beloved and brilliant eldest brother died. I'm in shock.
Remember your elderly relative who used to read the obituaries every day to see who died? That's me at this stage in life, I suppose.
Now, I am not religious but have begun to loath Hallowe'en. With all the skeletons, skulls, and ghosts for decorations, it seems like a celebration of death to me. I know it's not, but it still gives me the creeps. I just can't deal with it until I get over my grief over losing those dear to me who died in 2019-2020 and now are gone forever. My cousin Terri, who grew up with me and was like a sister to me. Her infectious laugh would set me off and we'd laugh until we collapsed breathlessly together. My big brother Bob who I nearly worshipped as a kid. My handsome ex-husband Randy with the twinkling eyes, a good, decent man who meant the world to me until he descended into alcoholism and we grew apart. And a half dozen others; they are kicking off like crazy the past year or two.
I am just not ready to deal with Hallowe'en yet. Others can do what they will, but I am staying home and not answering the door. I am not sure but I think maybe door to door trick or treating is not allowed this year anyway.
I suppose Hallowe'en is fun for little kids' parties, but with COVID19 I doubt there will be many kids' Hallowe'en parties this year.
I am at that age when a lot of people that I know and care about are dying. Several good friends and close relatives died in 2019, and in February my beloved and brilliant eldest brother died. I'm in shock.
Remember your elderly relative who used to read the obituaries every day to see who died? That's me at this stage in life, I suppose.
Now, I am not religious but have begun to loath Hallowe'en. With all the skeletons, skulls, and ghosts for decorations, it seems like a celebration of death to me. I know it's not, but it still gives me the creeps. I just can't deal with it until I get over my grief over losing those dear to me who died in 2019-2020 and now are gone forever. My cousin Terri, who grew up with me and was like a sister to me. Her infectious laugh would set me off and we'd laugh until we collapsed breathlessly together. My big brother Bob who I nearly worshipped as a kid. My handsome ex-husband Randy with the twinkling eyes, a good, decent man who meant the world to me until he descended into alcoholism and we grew apart. And a half dozen others; they are kicking off like crazy the past year or two.
I am just not ready to deal with Hallowe'en yet. Others can do what they will, but I am staying home and not answering the door. I am not sure but I think maybe door to door trick or treating is not allowed this year anyway.
I suppose Hallowe'en is fun for little kids' parties, but with COVID19 I doubt there will be many kids' Hallowe'en parties this year.
We had 144 trick-or-treaters visit our house the last time we were in California for Halloween (2017). It's a fun time for the family, even for our adult DD who still enjoys this time of the year living on her own.
We were in a rental house in Texas for less than a week in 2018, and all we saw were maybe 15-20 kids in a relatively new housing area. Last year (2019), we were almost alone on an island in our new house with empty lots all around us, no sidewalks, and less than 10 kids visited.
COVID-19 has made it difficult, if not impossible, to enjoy Halloween this year. The whole neighborhood is now filled in with houses, with sidewalks everywhere and connected to the two adjoining neighborhoods, and a good number of younger kids have moved in. But we have no idea how many will walk the neighborhoods on Halloween night. I fear this might be the end of something that was a big deal for my DW and I for 35+ years. Truly sad.
We were in a rental house in Texas for less than a week in 2018, and all we saw were maybe 15-20 kids in a relatively new housing area. Last year (2019), we were almost alone on an island in our new house with empty lots all around us, no sidewalks, and less than 10 kids visited.
COVID-19 has made it difficult, if not impossible, to enjoy Halloween this year. The whole neighborhood is now filled in with houses, with sidewalks everywhere and connected to the two adjoining neighborhoods, and a good number of younger kids have moved in. But we have no idea how many will walk the neighborhoods on Halloween night. I fear this might be the end of something that was a big deal for my DW and I for 35+ years. Truly sad.
This will be the first year that we have been at home and not participated in Halloween. In past years, I have dressed in costume, DH has carved pumpkins and we have enjoyed handing out candy. This year we will turn out the porch light and stay inside.
W2R, sorry to hear of your tough year. A few years ago I attended a Day of the Dead celebration and thought I would feel bad with the skeletons and all. I actually found it more respectful of the dead with the altars to commemorate deceased loved ones.
W2R, sorry to hear of your tough year. A few years ago I attended a Day of the Dead celebration and thought I would feel bad with the skeletons and all. I actually found it more respectful of the dead with the altars to commemorate deceased loved ones.
gwraigty
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We're not handing out candy this year, for the first time ever.
Chuckanut
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Not much at my place for years. I usually buy one bag of Mounds, one of my favorite candies, on the theory that I should be able to enjoy what is leftover, which is usually the entire bag. 
Finance Dave
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Golden sunsets
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Lights out here. Thank goodness, we won't have to consume the leftover candy.[emoji1]
mountainsoft
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I don't read obituaries, but I do pay attention to the death notices in the local newspaper feed. It gives me hope when I see how many people are living to their 90's and beyond, though it's sad to see a lot of people dying young too.
As for Halloween, I used to enjoy it when I was a kid, but at some point in my adult life I just didn't care for it anymore. The whole "dress up and pretend to be something you are not" aspect always bothered me. I'm just not a make believe kind of person (Ironically, my daughter is really into the whole fantasy and cosplay scene).
I tend to be an introvert, so I really started to dread the annual Halloween parties. They were just excuses for people to dress inappropriately, get drunk, loud, and stupid. There were certain expectations to attend, so my discomfort increased as the holiday grew closer (same with similar parties at Christmas or New Years). Thankfully, fewer people attended each year, and work policies changed, so the annual parties have mostly ended.
My wife still likes to decorate the house for Halloween, but we keep it "cute" around here. Mostly things like pumpkins, cats, scarecrows, and a couple cutesy versions of ghosts and witches. No skeletons, skulls, or anything death related (I suppose a cartoon ghost might be the exception). For the most part, we combine Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations (of which there aren't many) so we can leave them out longer. Basically anything autumn related.
We live out in the country so trick or treaters have never visited in the 30 years we have lived here. Actually, I don't think too many kids go door to door anymore even in town. Maybe in small neighborhoods, but what I hear about most is trick or treating at stores or the mall.
RocketGirl
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Halloween 2020
We live in a part of Canada with (currently) really really low cases so Halloween is a go. We are not comfortable with opening the door so we are making treat bags and planning on putting them at the end of the driveway. Depending on how cold it is (although we are not in igloos November is chilly) we may or may not sit at a distance. I figure we'll make 2x as many as we need and monitor if kids are taking a bunch at once. Because we live on a steep hill the # of kids we typically get isn't high - I expect this year it will be even less. Must remember to buy treats we like in case there are leftovers
We live in a part of Canada with (currently) really really low cases so Halloween is a go. We are not comfortable with opening the door so we are making treat bags and planning on putting them at the end of the driveway. Depending on how cold it is (although we are not in igloos November is chilly) we may or may not sit at a distance. I figure we'll make 2x as many as we need and monitor if kids are taking a bunch at once. Because we live on a steep hill the # of kids we typically get isn't high - I expect this year it will be even less. Must remember to buy treats we like in case there are leftovers
GalaxyBoy
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We plan on watching TV in the basement as usual but with lights out upstairs. Out nextdoor forum has dozens of folks all rah-rah about how they plan on trick or treat as usual. One cul de sac will have something called a “freak show” (the directional signs are already up) and another plans an outdoor screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
The couple next door is positive and in isolation. Truly a scary Halloween.
The couple next door is positive and in isolation. Truly a scary Halloween.
Freedom56
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We just stuffed treats into bags and will leave a display outside so that kids can help themselves. We have to support the kids and also dentists. This afternoon I'll build a creepy looking display for the candy. If this self serve concept works out, we may repeat that going forward.
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Chuckanut
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Halloween - 12, Corona virus - 0
Walking through the neighborhood this afternoon, before Trick-or-Treat time has started, I was amazed at how many creative and innovative ways people have thought of to keep the spirit alive despite CV.
We have the now well known chutes to send treats flying down a 6 foot tube and into the goody bags. One lady has a giant spider web on her garage door. She plans to hang candy on it, and with appropriate distancing, allow one child to walk a short maze, get to the web, take a treat and then go back to the street. Another is doing something with their car, but I am not sure what. Toss the stuff out the window? Sort of a drive by distribution system?
It's good to see that while being careful, people are not giving up.
The next goal is to put up the Christmas/Holiday decorations at the start of November and not wait for Thanksgiving.
Walking through the neighborhood this afternoon, before Trick-or-Treat time has started, I was amazed at how many creative and innovative ways people have thought of to keep the spirit alive despite CV.
We have the now well known chutes to send treats flying down a 6 foot tube and into the goody bags. One lady has a giant spider web on her garage door. She plans to hang candy on it, and with appropriate distancing, allow one child to walk a short maze, get to the web, take a treat and then go back to the street. Another is doing something with their car, but I am not sure what. Toss the stuff out the window? Sort of a drive by distribution system?
It's good to see that while being careful, people are not giving up.
The next goal is to put up the Christmas/Holiday decorations at the start of November and not wait for Thanksgiving.
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We have a card table out on the porch with individual bags of candies and appropriate signage. The young wife also carved two pumpkins to put out there as well. The squirrels have already started munching on them, even though they have lit candles in them at present.
Last weekend, we did trick or treating out at our community garden. The kids walked up and down the garden paths in socially distanced family groups and many of the gardeners stood in their own plots and handed out candy as the kids came by. We used the same card table, individual packaging deal to minimize the prospect for virus transfer. The young wife had a really spectacular Wizard of Oz scarecrow costume that she made. I just dressed as a curmudgeonly old man.
Last weekend, we did trick or treating out at our community garden. The kids walked up and down the garden paths in socially distanced family groups and many of the gardeners stood in their own plots and handed out candy as the kids came by. We used the same card table, individual packaging deal to minimize the prospect for virus transfer. The young wife had a really spectacular Wizard of Oz scarecrow costume that she made. I just dressed as a curmudgeonly old man.
MissMolly
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txtig
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We are doing pretty much the same thing. I can’t believe how many on this thread are so down on trick or treating this year. We’ve always enjoyed seeing the little ones come to our door to get some treats. We recognize the risk of answering the door this year, hence we will set up a self-serve table in front of our house. We can still monitor the fun on our video doorbell. Happy Halloween to everyone!!
OP
OP
Midpack
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
We went with organic juice boxes for the first time this year, I thought it was a good idea. Most kids (and more parents) seem to like it, some drink them right away. A few aren’t as thrilled, and 3-4 have given us “where’s my candy” looks? 
We were going to turn off the porch light and ignore knocks on the door. But older son has his own ideas. He has set a chair up in the garage roof and has a fishing rod with a pumpkin bucket. He will be dropping the candy bucket down with the fishing rod.
He's dressed as a fisherman with waders and a bass pro trucker hat.
He's dressed as a fisherman with waders and a bass pro trucker hat.
audreyh1
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Wow - that’s cool!
Philliefan33
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We live in a development with 150+ homes, and in recent years have had 50-70 trick-or-treaters come to our door. I didn’t know what to expect this year, so I bought the usual big bag of candy from Costco.
We only had seven kids come. I gave them each a big handful of candy. Before I turned out the lights, I looked up and down the street to see if there was anyone out. I was going to just dump what was left in the bowl in their bag, but there was not a soul on the street. I guess parents planned other activities.
DH and I will be snacking on leftover candy until Thanksgiving.
We only had seven kids come. I gave them each a big handful of candy. Before I turned out the lights, I looked up and down the street to see if there was anyone out. I was going to just dump what was left in the bowl in their bag, but there was not a soul on the street. I guess parents planned other activities.
DH and I will be snacking on leftover candy until Thanksgiving.
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I tried the chute, which I thought would be fun, but DW stuffed the snack zip bags so full, not all of them slid down. So we just put the large plastic calderon on the sidewalk and sat up the steps on the porch. It didn't need to be attended, but I wanted to see the kids.
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