Not Home on Halloween

I tried this one year also and kids dumped the whole bowl in thier bag. I wouldn't bother.

On the other hand, we usually do that early in the evening when we take my kids around the block. For the first hour of trick or treating, we haven't had any problems. When the older kids come out, I'm sure it's different. (our sign just says "Please Take One - Happy Halloween")

I too would not advise the "take one please". Someone will come by and ruin it for all. I know of people who did that when I was a kid. I think the best thing is for you to shut off all of your lights so the kids/kids parents will know you will not be home. If you can't return your candy, maybe give it to a neighbor or keep it in case you have any stragglers once you get home.

We did this last year as my husband was working a little late and my kids are young so we wanted to head out rather early. It does depend on the neighborhood and timing, but with us leaving only some of the candy early and in a very safe neighborhood, (we probably had mostly tots and their parents) we encountered no problems at all.

We just had a poster with

"Halloween is so much fun -
but Please Take Only One"

We added a little note "Come back for more when we're home to see your costume!" and a couple of kids did.

I think if you know your neighbors, give them your candy and have them pass it out and say this is for next door they arent home (if your neighbors dont mind) otherwise I wouldnt leave it out, someone will take it all.

Hi R.,
Not to be a spoilsport, but I would suggest not doing that. Chances are that one set of older kids without parental supervision will come by and take it all.

It happened to us two years ago. We hadn't even left yet and two boys came up to the porch and emptied the entire bowl into their bags. I ran outside, yelled at them and they sheepishly brought it all back.

It also happened to one of my neighbors. The kids even threw her candy bowl up in to a tree.

Feel free to try it, but I just wanted to warn you...

M.

When I was little, I recall seeing other kids dump the contents of the candy bowls in their bags. Always happens.

Keep your lights off and make it look like no one is home. Then the next day, eat all the candy yourself!! :oD

I would write something funny like "Take only one, or the ghost of the house will find you!!!", and then draw a picture of a ghost or something. Who cares if someone comes by and takes all the candy, it's the thought that counts. I think it's so nice that you're putting some out even though you won't be there! It makes me wish I would have thought about that too!

I love the neighbor idea! Maybe put a note on your door saying that your neighbor has your candy? That way you still feel like you did something nice for the kids and no one can spoil it for you. Happy Halloween!