I never really understood the meaning of ‘Trick’ in Trick or Treat as everyone gives out only treats, except for those who distribute pamphlets of pennies, who trick you into thinking you are getting something. Pennies aren’t even enough to cause excitement in young children. However, now that I’m on the giving end of Trick or Treat, I realized that I was tricked into giving candy to many undeserving individuals.
Out of the 200 or more Trick or Treaters I served, much less than half were what I would categorize as legitimate Trick or Treaters. My qualifications for being considered legitimate aren’t very high, only that you are old enough to walk and be dressed in some sort of costume. Isn’t that the true essence of Trick or Treating anyway. It doesn’t need to be an elaborate costume, actually some of the best are simple ones and made from stuff just around the house. Anyone can part their hair and put tape on a pair of glasses to be a nerd (wait that sounds to much like me) or boys can unzip their pants and be Bill Clinton while girls can carry vegetables and be Michelle Obama. There’s to many possibilities for normal everyday clothes to be acceptable. What must their thought process be. ‘Hey, let’s go trick or treating.’….‘But we don’t have costumes.’…‘Who cares, I want candy.’
I always enjoyed going Trick or Treating, and getting enough candy to last until Easter and have the supply get replenished. The fun was taken away one year though when someone said, ‘Aren’t you a little old for this,’ and denied me candy. I went back to my car and had to stop crying before I drove home. I had grown a real beard and everything to be an authentic looking pirate.
One of the joys of Halloween is seeing little kids in their costumes, but when they have to pushed in their strollers and are asleep, they are just being used for mom and dad to score some candy. Some parents don’t even bother to put the bucket in the babies lap and just carry it themselves. No sense trying to fool anybody. One mother was even breast feeding her child when they approached, thankfully I had some Milk Duds. Next year, rather than candy I think I’m just going to buy a case of baby food.
There can be a lot of stress involved in handing out the candy. What are you supposed to give to kids who haven’t even gotten any teeth yet? Plus there’s the pressure of running out of your favorite candy. Those old enough to be in high school, who weren’t even in a costume got the Almond Joys and Whoppers while I reserved Reeses Peanut Butter Cups for those who were legitimate Trick or Treaters. A few kids made the decision easy for me and just reached in to grab what they wanted themselves, at least one asked how many pieces they could have.
I might have been tricked, but overall the holiday tradition is a treat, breast feeders and all.
