Marvelously Well-Mannered

Buy Some Candy Corn

I am so excited Halloween is almost here. Dressing up, a fun night out -or in, if passing out sweets, and yummy candy – what’s not to love? To make sure your Halloween is full of treats believe it or not there are some etiquette rules one should remember.

If you are the one handing out the goodies: 


Martha Stewart

 • Please make sure your home is well lit and safe for visitors – and make sure your doorbell works. If you have pets, keep them under control.

• Hand out candy that is store bought. Homemade items are generally thrown out for safety reasons.

• Don’t be “that” house on the block than hands out pennies, or raisins or other types of unappealing fruit.

• Answer the door in a festive mood – give candy to all who trick-or-treat – even those you think are too old.  Remember rudeness begets rudeness ….and possible tricks by teenagers.

For the parents of trick-or-treating goblins:
• Make sure your children wear age appropriate costumes. I still remember a girl in my third-grade class was dressed as a “hooker” I didn’t even know what that was. Needless to say my mum wasn't too pleased when I asked her about it, and consequently there were no play-dates with that family – ever.

• Safety first. Young children should be accompanied by a parent, carry a flashlight or use other road safety reflectors.  Children should also be reminded to watch for traffic because it is very likely cars won’t see them on the road. It is best to walk on the side of the road.

• When walking on someone else’s property – stay on the proper path (driveway, to path, to the front door). Stay off of the grass and out of the landscaping.

• Honor the hours of trick-or-treating in your area. When people turn off their porch light – they do not want to be disturbed.

• Children should make their presence known by ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door and greet the homeowner pleasantly and with a smile – after all they are demanding candy.

• Children should be reminded to take only one or two pieces of candy (depending on the size). If the household wants them to take more, the homeowner will certainly urge. I always do that because we have so few trick-or-treaters and the last thing I want is a bowl full of temptations in my home after the holiday!

• Children should be reminded to say “thank you”.

• If the house is lit but the homeowner is not home – and leaves a bowl of candy outside – your children should not take all the candy.

• When you get home, please examine all the candy before you let your children gobble it up. Safety first. Throw away opened wrappers, check for razors, and examine candy for holes in packaging.

Do you love Halloween?  What else can you think of to make sure the Halloween experience is spooktacular?