I guess, it becomes more unusual when you’re old enough to buy your own candy. At that point, if you don’t put effort in, it might come off to some neighbors like you’re freeloading.
But as others said, if you put on a costume and you’re clearly enjoying the process, maybe you even make it a friend group activity, then it’s easy to believe that you’re doing it for fun. It’s not like you’d get rich off of freeloading candy in any scenario anyways.
I’d rather teenagers be trick or treating than doing other stuff. If they come to my house they’ll get candy for sure.
I went trick or treating with an 88 year old woman (both of us in costume). She raked it in!
I had a traveling farm hand from France who had never been trick or treating. She was 34. She was super excited to go so we took her when we took our kids out. At each house I said, “She’s 34 and from France and has never need trick or treating.” She got a bunch of candy and was very pleased.
If the trick-or-treater is polite, isn’t acting entitled, and is just trying to get into the Halloween spirit, I honestly don’t care what age they are. I love Halloween, I love handing out candy, and I love seeing people’s costumes. It’s always kind of bothered me when I hear people making comments about whether someone is “too old” for trick or treating. It’s a rather strange thing to gatekeep, imo. It’s all good fun.
any age
A thirty-something woman was trick or treating at my town’s trunk or treat. She’d put effort into her costume. 🤷♂️
Once you’re 54, it’s just too late man
The same people who make rules about age and costume are the same people that give out popcorn balls and candied apples.
This isn’t something worth wasting braincells on. I give candy to anyone who says trick or treat.
My neighbor, however, complains about teenagers and black kids.
There are rules for my parents house. I give out the candy there and we go through like 30 pounds of it in a night.
Not Saying Trick or Treat? No Candy. (EDIT: If they don’t say it, I always ask them “What do you say?” Which is funny too. Sometimes they go through “Thank you” “Happy Halloween” then finally get to “Trick or Treat.” Then they do get their appropriate amount of candy.)
Saying Trick or Treat with no costume? One candy, low tier.
Trick or Treat with Costume? 2 pieces, probably some chocolate.
Trick or Treat with High Effort or Very Unique costume I haven’t seen 10 of all night? 3-4 pieces def some chocolate and a ring pop.
Within that, older siblings escorting younger? Extra piece + glow stick.
Family Costume Set? Extra piece and my mom takes a picture of them.
I scare the shit out of you when I rip the door open? Extra piece?
I scare you and you cry? Extra chocolate.
Babies? Mom deserves an extra piece.
There’s something wrong with you.
Excellent! I would have to keep a chart beside the door.
Haha. It’s always a vibe. Saw a little kid dressed as the warden from Minecraft and I pretended to have the darkness effect and gave him a wad of mini crunch bars. I think he was super happy to get recognized!
And they aren’t hard and fast rules. Just a sliding scale. And after being on candy duty for the last 15 years, you kinda just internalize it.
Plus, Halloween is all about the rules. Say trick or treat. Don’t blow out your pumpkin before midnight so the demons don’t get ya. Always check your candy.
and black kids
What??? 💀
So sick of racists.
If you can get a kid to tag along with, no age limit.
Legit? If you have a costume, you’re getting candy if you come to my house. Age has nothing to do with it.
Same!
If you show up you’re getting candy.
Gave out a few full size snickers to adults today. Glad to have them come by!
You may have cheated death:
At least 13, likely less than 19. Where you land is contextual to neighborhood and costume. And any age of you’re with someone under 10.
