Crawling with kids in Takoma Park. We were visited by the most trick or treaters since before COVID times. Neighbor ran out of candy.

It has been subdued. I blame that on it being a Tuesday. We’re in Loudoun and the kids have school tomorrow.

Anonymous wrote:Do more people take their kids to those trunk or treat events now skipping traditionally trick or treating?

I think this is part of it. There are so many other events, by the time the actual event comes around, the kids are burned out.

We had a fair number, but it was less than usual.

I think overall there are fewer trick or treaters everywhere compared to years ago. Felt the same way when we lived in NJ and now in N Va despite both neighborhoods having lots of kids.

May be that we celebrate everything for a longer time now so by the time the actual day rolls around, it’s less of a big deal. Previously I feel like you have one class party/elementary school parade and then trick or treating. Now we’ve had truck or treats since last week, various friends Halloween parties last weekend, dressed up for a soccer party last weekend, elementary school class party, school parade. IDK with all that putting on the costume again for the 5th time was just less of a big deal. And then when it isn’t a big deal to the kids, the parents who’ve been shuttling around to events for a week+ are happy to go to 5-10 neighbor houses and be done.

Same way that I feel like Christmas decor etc is less of a big deal bc we see it from Oct until Dec so of course some ppl are ready to pack it all up Dec 26.

We actually had more kids last year when it rained. Not sure why.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria much quieter than usual pretty sure we all know why.

Why

Yeah, why? We’re in the Alexandria part of Fairfax County and things were jumping.

+1 I’m in city of Alexandria and also curious why. Have no idea what pp is talking about.

I’m in Rosemont and it was less than half of what I normally get for ToTers. I’ve been talking to my friends and neighbors within a few blocks and we all had the same complaint. Last year it rained and I still had way more. I usually run out of candy, especially since so many people drive here from other neighborhoods. This time was dead. So depressing. I have no idea why. I’ve lived here 20 yrs and it’s usually so much fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria much quieter than usual pretty sure we all know why.

Why

Yeah, why? We’re in the Alexandria part of Fairfax County and things were jumping.

+1 I’m in city of Alexandria and also curious why. Have no idea what pp is talking about.

Rats?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alexandria much quieter than usual pretty sure we all know why.

Why

Yeah, why? We’re in the Alexandria part of Fairfax County and things were jumping.

+1 I’m in city of Alexandria and also curious why. Have no idea what pp is talking about.

Anonymous wrote:It wasn't that cold. There've been plenty of Halloweens in recent years that were colder. I'm puzzled by these comments.

The last two years were warmer, close to 60°.

We had our usual 100+ kids come through!

Like a pp, I’ve had groups of polite tweens and teens who complimented me on my decorations and costume. Nice manners!

I wanted to be kind to kids, create some decorations they might enjoy, and have fun.

We probably had 30-50 TOTers.

Our college kid seemed sad and came home for a short visit, and I was glad to be here.

It wasn't that cold. There've been plenty of Halloweens in recent years that were colder. I'm puzzled by these comments.

Anonymous wrote:I thought it was quiet, then I went to go pick up my daughter from a friends house a mile away. Numbers are definitely down this year. It’s a school night, it’s cold, Gaza/Palestine, and Halloween generally on the decline at least as far as “public” holiday. Many celebrations over the weekend though.

WTH?? My mosque canceled its “family fun night” planned for tonight well bc it’s a mosque, there’s presumably some Palestinian attendees, so it prob seemed wrong to leadership to be having a party. But how much does Gaza/Israel matter to Mike and Lisa Jones living in Bethesda - why on earth would they keep their kids home??

A total bust! 4 groups, a total of maybe 12 kids. I have 5.5 bags of candy. Tough days ahead for my willpower.

We had fewer decorations this year and shorter ToT route. Just feeling really burned out by life.