<p>It was cold and it started raining then stopped. Our subdivision always gets a lot of kids from other parts of town. The subdivision hires two off duty cops to direct traffic. The street is turned into a one way circle during treat or treating time. It makes it safer for the kids. DH has a clip board and keeps track of how many kids we get. This year we had 369 kids. I think we would have had more but the rain deterred them.</p>
<p>Dang! We think we’re having a big night when we get 25</p>
<p>Wow MichiganGeorgia. I want to live where you live.</p>
<p>We had at least a couple hundred. All candy gone. We get a lot of “visitors” driven over from unsafe neighborhoods. I don’t mind all the extra kids, but the parents/adults who accompany always carry a bag of their own. I try not to be sad about that.</p>
<p>My neighbor tells me that there were hoards of cute little trick-or-treaters last night. They went through all their candy as well so we can’t blame the cat on this one. I’m sorry I missed them!</p>
<p>We had about 20; every year we get fewer, I guess as the demographics of the neighborhood change, but I find the low turnout kind of sad. And none of the neighbors had done much decorating. Back when my kids were little, we’d easily have 70 trick or treaters, the early evening hours were filled with the sound of running feet, and the neighbors tried to outdo each other with jack o lanterns and other decor. Maybe I need to move to a younger area…</p>
<p>I always try to comment on the costumes, ask them to turn around and show me all sides, etc., because I know the kids and parents have put a lot of time and angst into the selection process. Last night that resulted in me straightening out one bent angel wing and one flopped over bunny ear. When I asked one little girl who she was, she told me “Princess Sophia”. Had no idea who that was, but D advised today that she was a character on a Disney TV show. I am soooo out of touch!</p>
<p>I make individual goody bags with little plastic toys as well as candy. The leftover candy will get eaten, but the toys will get tossed, that is unless anyone needs a pumpkin bookmark or mini slinky?</p>
<p>Why not save the toys for next year?</p>
<p>My partner and I did a special trick-or-treating thing with the special needs kids he works with a few nights before actual Halloween. They are mostly Autistic children who might be non-verbal, have sensory sensitivities (which rules out costumes, and other special needs. I’d say there were close to 100 kids there- it was at a large building where each room gave out candy. They tried to make it feel as “real” as possible. </p>
<p>Too many of the kids had, in the past, strangers be rude or even mean to them when they showed up and couldn’t say Trick or Treat or without costumes. Parents would try to explain but it’s hard when you’re in a busy sub and there are lots of kids and parents crowding around. This was a very nice alternative and I think all the kids had fun 
(And I liked it because it was inside and I’m a weather wimp!) </p>
<p>It was in the 20s here last night (after being in the 80s last weekend with AC on. . .) We only had about 20 or so kids–and half of those were in one big group/high school kids. I don’t mind giving candy to high school kids–IF they dress up!
Last night I couldn’t tell what most of the costumes were because of the winter coats. We are at the end of a cul-de-sac, at the end of a subdivision, so, although there are hundreds of younger kids in the neighborhood, not many people make it our way. A few years ago our neighbors used to give out candy but this year the cul-de-sac was dark except for our house. So sad. (I still have a few younger kids that go out.)<br>
We like to carve pumpkins–D made a really cut Totoro pumpkin–someone asked “permission” to photograph it!
I have to brag–my roasted pumpkin seeds turned out better than ever this year!</p>
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<p>Ha! One old friend came as Totoro! :D</p>
<p>I mean, a “cute” Totoro pumpkin. . . :)</p>
<p>My nephews joined the huge crowd at our local enclosed shopping mall and trick or treated there. It was packed and the merchants give out goodies. It’s sad and so different from the excitement and crowds when our kids were young. </p>