When I was a kid Halloween was seen as an American thing and we never did the trick or treat run. Our kids expect to do it now, very annoying on our first October 31st back in England after being in Germany for four years. We were not prepared for it and had a new baby, a new dog and a four year old who wanted to join in with everyone else!!
I find it a really worrying time. We lock up the house and go to my sister in law. My kids go with their older cousins around the local houses and they take a mobile phone. When they get back we tip all the bootie out and remove all sweets without wrappers and all fruit so it can be cut into pieces to check nothing nasty is inside. (We have found, in past years, a razor blade in an apple and a needle in an orange!) Every year it worries me more.
On the way to my sister in law we saw three children in costumes, all on their own!
She had two very young girls at her door, in costumes, and she asked them where their Mummy was. They didn't know. They didn't know where their house was and we were about to phone the police when Mum came round the corner and screamed at them for not being home on time!!!! These kids were no older than six, that is giving Mum the benefit of the doubt.
Not my favourite time of year and next we have bonfire night, November 5th, huge bonfires and fireworks dispays!