Regarding the fireworks: It's significantly cheaper to have a company come and do a fireworks show on July 2 or July 3 than on the 4th. THis is how some cash-strapped small towns manage to afford fireworks. Don't judge if you don't know.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me when trick or treating changed?

People question the date and time constantly.

Its ON Halloween (that was a different thread) but NO its NOT all day. It starts right around when it gets dark out.

I truly do not understand why this is so difficult.

Because everyone came from different places that had different rules and expectations. Where I grew up, the towns decided the dates and times. I find the whole "when it gets dark" to be confusing. Just a bit dark? Totally dark? And then you have the people that live in neighborhoods that seem to accept early trick or treaters.

At my inlaw's in PA, the area tends to do trick or treating on some night that isn't October 31. No idea why.

Also, all the townships have Independence Day fireworks on any day that IS NOT July 4.

They ask us "when are yours?" And we always reply, "Um... duh... on the day God intended." They finally stopped asking.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me when trick or treating changed?

People question the date and time constantly.

Its ON Halloween (that was a different thread) but NO its NOT all day. It starts right around when it gets dark out.

I truly do not understand why this is so difficult.

This is a regional thing, and recent transplants might not be aware. I grew up on Long Island, and we started Trick-or-Treating immediately after school while it was still light out, or went out during the afternoon if it was on a weekend. After dark was only for the older kids (middle/high school).

As to the original question, I'm not planning to stay home all day in case someone comes by early trick-or-treating. We have our candy, though, so I'll put it in a bowl in the morning, and if someone comes by while we're home, I'll answer the door. To me it's just not a big deal.

Anonymous wrote:Nobody should be trick or treating before 5 and on Halloween night. Period. Our times are 6 to 8.

I keep seeing the times and day change for some places, not where I live. Everyone wants to be accommodated. It's nice I'm sure but not the way Halloween should be. Go somewhere else if you don't want to participate.

Like changing Christmas. No. It shouldn't be done. Rain or snow, you trick or treat on Oct. 31.

If you show up at my house any other time or day, you get nothing.

You sound like a lot of fun

Nobody should be trick or treating before 5 and on Halloween night. Period. Our times are 6 to 8.

I keep seeing the times and day change for some places, not where I live. Everyone wants to be accommodated. It's nice I'm sure but not the way Halloween should be. Go somewhere else if you don't want to participate.

Like changing Christmas. No. It shouldn't be done. Rain or snow, you trick or treat on Oct. 31.

If you show up at my house any other time or day, you get nothing.

During the day, relax. For most people trick or treating tuns around 5:30 for toddlers to end around 9 for everybody else.

Even though Saturday is Halloween, we still have all our "regular" stuff going on--kids sports, etc. If Trick or Treaters come to our house in the afternoon, we likely will not be home. I don't anticipate anyone coming until around 5 ish.

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me when trick or treating changed?

People question the date and time constantly.

Its ON Halloween (that was a different thread) but NO its NOT all day. It starts right around when it gets dark out.

I truly do not understand why this is so difficult.

Some people move from ass-backwards places like Columbus or Buffalo, where they have "beggars night."

This year, trick-or-treating was for one hour last night in Ohio.

Serious question - what do you have to do to be ready other than open up a bag of candy and put it by the front door? If someone came to my house tomorrow at 3 and I was home to answer the door, I'd give them candy.

Can someone explain to me when trick or treating changed?

People question the date and time constantly.

Its ON Halloween (that was a different thread) but NO its NOT all day. It starts right around when it gets dark out.

I truly do not understand why this is so difficult.

Are you from somewhere else? I've lived in other parts of the country where they make the kids trick or treat early, before dark. Around here, the earliest I've seen them come is around 5pm, and it's usually the tiny toddler set.

Of course not. No one thinks its a good idea to go trick or treating in the middle of the day unless you are somewhere that is specifically doing that. This is a little bit of a silly question, right?

The last time it was on a Saturday, we had a few come early (mid afternoon) ish, but not many. We might have said "Sorry, we don't have anything yet" (which was pretty much true. All the candy was still in the bags in the basement).

I know the convention is to go out towards dusk, but when Halloween is on a weekend do people plan on taking the kids around earlier? I'm wondering whether I have to be at the ready for trick-or-treaters earlier in the day. I can imagine people with toddlers or something would think it's a good idea to go around early, in the afternoon.