Poll 07: Trick or Treat – How late is too late?

by EPI Staff on October 26, 2009

How late is too late for a trick-or-treater to knock on your door?
  • 9:00 p.m. (52%, 302 Votes)
  • 10:00 p.m. (24%, 140 Votes)
  • 8:00 p.m. (21%, 125 Votes)
  • 7:00 p.m. (3%, 18 Votes)

Total Voters: 585

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Dee October 26, 2009 at 3:03 pm

I accept people up until 9 p.m. After that all kids who are aged appropriately for Trick or Treating, should at least be home if not in bed. Although, this year it is on a Saturday night. The thing with later arrivals is that they are usually big kids and often are bent on mischief. I don’t mind good, clean fun such as teepee-ing the house or landscaping. But I don’t appreciate having my pumpkin smashed, windows soaped, etc.

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Trish Miller October 26, 2009 at 4:18 pm

I think young children should be in by 8PM and I have a problem with the older ones who don’t care when the come.

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Brenda October 27, 2009 at 8:43 am

It is Ok to go to the door until the light has been turned off, indicating you are no longer passing out candy. This is usually between 9pm and 10pm

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Daniel Post Senning October 27, 2009 at 9:55 am

I like this solution. Very thoughtful.

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Sarah Dreier October 27, 2009 at 3:11 pm

Growing up, my mom would bring in the pumpkins & flip the porch light off at 8pm, saying that any kids out past then were out too late & needed to go home. Our neighbors would do the same. Kids should be taught to never go up to a dark house & we never got trick-or-treaters past that point. As an adult, I do the same: lights out at 8…
Another Halloween ettiquette question is what to do about teens who come to the door not in costume or with a 2nd sack for candy for the “sister at home with a broken leg” & adults who show up with a sack for their toothless infant strapped to them in a carrier? Do you give them candy? I always give them a single piece of penny candy & save the good stuff for the REAL trick-or-treaters!!

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Mojito Chica November 9, 2009 at 4:47 am

The cities in my surrounding area alert the media to the designated trick-or-treat days and times. Just about everyone uses 6p – 8p, but the days can differ.

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pat November 9, 2009 at 11:03 am

in our town there are designated times, 4-8. if you are not handing out candy you are asked to leave your light turned off. at 8 everyone is asked to turn their lights off.

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Paula November 9, 2009 at 11:07 am

Anytime after I have turned off the porchlight, or 10:00, is too late.

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Edie November 10, 2009 at 5:14 am

I also don’t like the “older” children coming by w/pillow cases for treat bags. If you have the money to buy a costume, you should have enough left over for a treat bag. The pillow cases are just plain rude.

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