by Volecia Plafcan

Created on: October 30, 2009   Last Updated: October 31, 2009

On Halloween, most adults are out having fun at their parties all dressed out in there costumes, eating and drinking, dancing and hoping to be the winner of wearing the best costume. Of course, some adults are home handing out treats to the revellers who come to the door asking for treats which are mainly sweets.

I like sweets but, sometimes I do not have the money for them.

All kids, as far as I know, like sweets. In fact, I haven't run across one yet who doesn't.

The little children dressed in their princess, gorilla (my five year old grandson wanted to go as a Ketchup Bottle) or Tinker Bell costumes are knocking on doors or at the mall filling their treat bags with candy and the likes.

Pumpkins have been carved and set outside with a candle glowing in them to horrify or amuse the children and there is fun in the air.

But, what about the eleven to fourteen year olds who don't have the money to go to a movie and watch "Halloween" or "Friday the 13th" or a film of the sort? What would they do? Hang out on the street corner and watch other people having fun? Or hang out at the mall and do the same? That just doesn't seem fair, to me.

The air is crisp and cool. These children don't want to sit inside and feel left out. Halloween is for them, too. They also like sweets so why not let them join in with the smaller children as long as they do not bully and are respective to the other trick or treaters?

Since I am the designated treat hander outer, sometimes, just setting the bowl of goodies on a table outside will do the trick and let them help themselves. So far, no one has abused this by taking more than their share. If they did it would upset me 'cause I'm afraid there won't be any left over for me and Heaven help me if I had to go to the door, with chocolate all over my mouth asking them to put some of it back.

Our church doesn't recognize Halloween so on that night they have Harvest Festival with games that have been set up in booths and of course, the prizes are usually candy. The little children are brought there, still in their costumes, and the whole night just goes on and on and everyone has a wonderful time.

Let the older children join in the activities. They like candy, too.

Some years ago, when my sister was fifteen, she and another friend thought they would go trick or treating as a joke. At first, they were given candy and treats but, when they came to a house where the man told them he didn't have anything but, would they like to come in for Scotch and soda, they hightailed it home. I think the next year, they had a scavenger hunt.

We are blessed in that the police are really very handy in our area and wearing reflector socks or reflector something would certainly make the evening go a lot easier for them and other cars.

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