I was embarrassed about this at first because Boyfiend kept teasing me about it. That’s why I’ve waited so long to post this. But I wonder how many other people have a similar quirk.
I’m a bit picky when it comes to handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. I have rules. I don’t give the same amount of candy to everyone. Children with good costumes, handmade or store bought get a few more snack size bars than those wearing street clothes and a hat dressed as a race car driver. Children with good costumes who say “trick-or-treat” usually get a handful of candy. Children under three only get one piece of candy, regardless of manners or costume, because they don’t need all the sugar and their parents and older siblings are going to eat all of the good stuff anyway. Teenagers in their own clothes who say they’re high school students get two year old tootsie pops, classroom prizes I’d originally purchased for a school-wide activity that was cancelled.
This year, despite my grinch-like adherence to my standards and despite the pre-teens wearing slutty baseball uniforms with the number 69 emblazoned on their backs who said “trick-or-treat” but only got one piece of candy each because they were dressed like skanks, we actually ran out of candy before the last kids passed the house. I’m kind of depressed that I didn’t stash some candy away for later. Next year.
Mix | 12-Nov-06 at 3:55 pm | Permalink
Next year, station someone at the front gate. That person can assign color codes to each kid.
Blue - A Full Handful
Green - Just one piece
Red - Teenager - stale candy or an apple
The person who color codes will affix a sticker to the kids to tell the candy hander outer the correct treat level.
There should also be a large sign explaining the system to the public. Maybe if there is time, a commerical during the local news.
Erin | 12-Nov-06 at 8:14 pm | Permalink
Ha. I’m the same way! I wasn’t home for Halloween, but I briefed my husband - I told him cute little kids get a few pieces, polite kids that say “trick or treat” and don’t push and shove get to pick out their own, and teenage kids/no costumes get ONE piece of undesirable candy. Our neighborhood is crawling with kids - we went through 9 or 10 bags and had absolutely nothing left.
tony | 13-Nov-06 at 1:50 am | Permalink
I go to Chinatown and buy the craziest gummy thing or whatever I can find .for all the kids. They sell little sweetened meat jerky pieces wrapped up just like caramels. Give those to those obnoxious no-costume wearers.
Last year I did fall for the “I’m Michael Jackson before the surgery” piece the first time, but when a second kid came by with the same line, I felt played by the first one.
andrea | 14-Nov-06 at 8:59 pm | Permalink
I am totally the same way. Only I don’t give the teenage kids with no costume any candy at all. They get raisins or crappy spider rings. I know. I’m evil
girlfiend | 17-Nov-06 at 10:40 am | Permalink
I’m going to have to buy meat disguised as candy or fish jerky next year. It’ll be awesome. Right up until the part where they egg my house.