Trick or Treat

Halloween is the time to dress up as your favorite character and go trick-or-treating. If this is your first time trick-or-treating, read this wikiHow to learn how!

10 Second Summary

1. Put on a Halloween costume.
2. Find a friend or family member to go with you.
3. Walk down your block. Stop at a house that has lights on.
4. Knock or ring the doorbell.
5. Say "Trick-or-Treat" with a smile when they open the door.
6. Say "Thank you, Happy Halloween!" when you get candy.
7. Move on to the next house.

Steps

  1. Purchase or make a costume. Your regular clothes don't count. Be creative with the costume you choose and make sure it looks great on you.
  2. Convince some friends to go with you. Don't go alone.
  3. Go to a door. If there are no lights on, however, skip that particular house. That means there's nobody home or no candy to be handed out.
  4. Say, "trick-or-treat" with a nice smile. You should receive the candy.
  5. Say, "Thank you, happy Halloween!" after they hand you the candy. If you don't, they might think you're greedy. This may not bother you, but it might decrease your chances of getting any from them next year.
    • Don't keep saying the same thing over and over again every year. Improvise!
    • If there is no one home, but there is a bowl of candy, take the whole entire basket. Be as sneaky as you can.
  6. If they let you pick your candy, make sure it's a candy you like. If there's no candy you like in the bowl, take a piece to trade later.
  7. Go to next house and repeat steps 3-7 until the entire neighborhood is canvased, or you're exhausted.
  8. Go home, dump all your candy on the floor, count it, and enjoy! If you're sleeping over with somebody, expect a crash and a candy hangover, though it'll be worth it!
  9. Wait until next year, dreaming of sugary goodness...

Tips

  • NEVER refuse free candy, even if you hate it! If you get candy you don't like, trade it with friends, or give it away.
  • To easily double your intake of candy go around the neighborhood twice, once with a mask, and once with face paint or a different mask. As long as there's a lot of people out, nobody will notice. If there're fewer people out, throw on a coat or something else to change your appearance. If you get caught apologize, and offer to give the candy back. Most people won't really care, though.
  • Another tip for older participants: Take a younger cousin/little sibling/babysitting charge with you. You can score free candy right along with them, and if anyone 'cool' catches you trick or treating, you've got a ready-made excuse. "Yeah, I got roped into this..."
  • If you're older, try going around later in the evening when smaller kids are indoors. Most adults want to get rid of all excess candy before the night is over, and will give you whatever they have left.
  • If possible, plan a 'candy drop' point. If a parent drives you to the neighborhood or you live there, you can stash full bags in a car or house. Nothing gets more tiring than dragging a bulging (or heavens forbid, ripped!) pillowcase. Don't leave it under a bush or concealed in a tree with plans to 'grab it later'. Besides the possibility of someone finding it or being unable to locate it in the dark, there are bugs and wildlife that could get into it.
  • If a house gives particularly good candy, make a note of it and tell your friends. Share the wealth!
  • Always say "Thank You!" Besides being common courtesy, it might get you an extra treat!
  • NEVER go out without some sort of a costume. Even if you just put on wild face paint or a bed sheet with holes, do something to show you're trying. Some adults won't give you any candy if you don't wear a costume.
  • Pick comfortable shoes, even if they don't go with your costume. You'll be walking a long way in them, and don't want to have blisters on November 1st.
  • If you are planning to stay late trick or treating, bring glowsticks or flashlights
  • Always check your candy before you eat it!
  • Planning your route in advance can be very helpful. Do a 'dry run'. Walk down the streets you plan to trick-or-treat on. See how long it takes, and add 2-3 minutes for walking up each driveway, knocking, etc. This will give you a good idea of how long the route will be, and how tiring it is. The last thing you want is to plan a huge route and get exhausted.
  • If you're walking after dark with a flashlight, do not shine the flashlight directly into the driver's side windshield of passing cars. A sudden flashlight beam directly into the eyes can distort a driver's vision and may actually cause them to hit you or something else.
  • Don't get too carried away and stay out for a long time.
  • You should probably stop trick or treating around 9:00
  • The better the costume is, the more sweets you can get.
  • If possible, go to a wealthy neighborhood. Check out subdivisions on lakes, near golf courses, etc.
  • Try having a unique costume. Some people give out more candy if they like your costume.
  • Always remember to be appreciative to anyone giving you a treat. Say thanks for the candy!
  • Always say thank you when they give you candy.
  • Use a pillow case, they will give you more candy since they will want to help you to fill your bag.
  • If you're never trick or treated in your neighborhood, ask a friend what houses were better than others. Also, if you have a parent's permission, go with them! (Only do this with long time or much trusted friends, not ones you've made in a couple of months).

Warnings

  • Always observe common safety rules, such as visibility, traffic checking, etc..
  • Go with at least one other person. It's not only safer, it's more fun.
  • Don't eat homemade candy unless you know the person intimately, like a family member. A 'nodding acquaintance' isn't good enough for risking those homemade popcorn balls. If you're unsure where it came from or don't know the person like they're family, toss it.
  • If there is a "no trick or treaters" sign on the door, respect this and move on!
  • Have your parents (or yourself) check the candy before you eat it. The wrapper might be a little open or there could be stuff on the candy.
  • Don't eat all of your candy in one day. You want it to last a few days, right? Plus, your parents might get mad.
  • Carry a cell phone! If you don't want the ring to disrupt your night, just put it on vibrate. If someone gets lost or there's any problem, a cell-phone is invaluable.
  • Walk on the sidewalk, not down the middle of the street, and don't shine flashlights into the driver's side windshields of passing cars.
  • Make sure to have a rendezvous point if someone gets separated, preferably at someone's house. With a younger sibling or anyone in a 'popular' generic costume that might get lost easily in the crowd, this could be of vital importance.
  • If there's a bowl of candy with a sign saying "Take one", "Take two", etc., respect that person. There are other trick or treaters and you could get in trouble if you take the whole basket.

Things You'll Need

  • A costume
  • A pillowcase
  • Comfortable shoes, such as running shoes or sneakers.
  • Cell Phone
  • Friends

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