1. Think back on last year's
Halloween in your neighborhood. Which houses had the best candies, and which
had the worst or "so-so" candies? The aim is to bypass those houses
only interested in giving out toothbrushes, apples, and granola bars, or those
houses where the candies are meted out in small amounts.
A neighborhood with small
yards and sidewalks allows you to hit more houses in the allotted time. And
apartment complexes with many doors can cut down on walking time.
When assessing who gives out
lots of candies, ask friends if they can also come up with such knowledge to
allow you to compare notes and target the houses that give the most of the
biggest selections. If you're planning with friends, you can also trade later
to help even out the candy selection you ultimately receive.
2. Prepare your costume. The
quality and fanciness of your costume can affect how many candies you're given.
The more interesting, cute, scary, etc., your costume, the more likely that the
candy giver will "reward" you for your effort by giving you more
candy. Be sure to act in character too, to help complete the effect and totally
win over the candy givers.
3. Choose a suitable bag. Use a backpack,
a large bag with a drawstring, or a pillowcase to hold all of your trick and
treat loot. The bag needs to be easy to carry, able to hold a lot comfortably
and strong.
If using a pillowcase and
you're concerned it might break or you see it is frayed or even has a hole or
two, double it up with another pillowcase.
If possible, also have a
smaller basket or container. This will enable you to keep your larger treat bag
stashed somewhere safe to return to and refill regularly. Or, if you're in your
own street, run home and dump the loot and head out again.
It's recommended that you add
a light or reflective tape to your candy bag to help make you more visible
after dark.
4. Prepare a map of your intended
best candy-giving houses trail. It can be street specific or just a general
idea of where to go and where to avoid. This map may help you to keep on track
when the foot traffic and parties increase during the night but it can also
serve as a reminder of which houses usually have the best candies. Use the map
as a reminder of where you went as well, so that you don't back track and waste
time or look greedy!
If you're turning up in
another suburb known for its amazing candies on Halloween, a map and plan is an
absolute must so that you don't get lost.
5. Make a suitable time to start
trick or treating. It's best to start early, when the treats are still in
plentiful supply in the houses of your neighborhood. Some houses run out early
because they're too generous to begin with; you might as well be the first to
take advantage of this generosity!
The majority of parents take
their young children out at the beginning of sunset, to let the kids have a
sufficient time before dark. If you want to start this early, be aware you'll
be turning up with the little ones. If you have younger siblings, this can be a
good excuse to turn up too, or just offer to take the neighbor's kids with you.
Note that some cities or
neighborhoods start to turn off their lights between 8 pm and 10 pm; don't be
out treating too late or you'll miss the treats or get the dregs.
Watch the houses that turn off
their lights; this is the standard indication that Halloween is over for that
household, or that they've run out of goodies.
6. Bring your manners. Grown-ups
like manners, it's just the way they're built; accept that being polite will
win you more candies than being evasive, gruff, or rude. Compliment the
householder on their Halloween decorations. And always say "Trick or
Treat?" with a big smile. The evening is about having fun with others; be
thoughtful enough to make it seem that each house is worth more than just being
a loot filling station!
Avoid lingering at any
Halloween parties, haunted houses, or special events. Even though they all look
or sound cool, every minute counts while going from house to house in one
night. Any obstacle will deter you from your candy goal. Unless you're certain
that there is candy to be had at any of these places, consider not even
venturing into them. You can always go back and check them out later (mark them
on your map).
Don't eat your candies as
you're going. The time spent eating them and the sugar high will slow you down!
Double back in a new costume.
If you're really keen for more candies, change your costume or mask and return
for more. If you do this though, make sure you're not recognizable or the
people might refuse to give you anything, or worse, demand that you give back
the second lot of candy.
Another tip is to empty your
container as often as possible so that it looks as if you've just started
treating or as if other people have been stingy; this may encourage people to
offer you more candies than if your bucket is full.
7. Form a candy gang. This way
more of you can cover greater distances and then share your spoils together.
Gather back together at a certain time and place to share or trade candies. Use
a trading method on two small candies for a big one or qualities per candy. The
trading method works when someone does not like something they got and would
like another candy or when they've hit the jackpot and have been given too many
of one sort.
When you do go trick or
treating as a group, keep the numbers small. It's less overwhelming for the
householder to have a few kids on the doorstep, and easier to give out the
candies. It's also less likely to result in trading arguments at the end.
If you have a bike and a bike
basket, use them. It is quick and easy transportation.
If you have broken a limb, go
with the cast showing for sympathy candy. This works best with younger kids or
cuter and less scary costumes.
If you have a family member or
friend who drives, ask them to pick you up and drop you off in another
neighborhood for different results.
While it may be fun to try on
getting loads of candy, stay safe while crossing the street or darting in the
middle of roads.
If you live very close to a
long street with many houses they may all have candy! You can get tons and some
may even set bowls of candy outside to take for yourself (if you want to
maximize your candy, take the whole bowl – knowing that you're pretty much a
meanie doing so).
If you have a sibling or
cousin, this is a must. You both go your separate ways for a while but make
sure you are both supervised, then when you come back take her on your street
so they can give your sibling/cousin candy-and you.
Some people may say you're too
old, so have an excuse. A good, believable one would be "I'm just taking
my younger brother/sister/cousin." Or laugh it off and say "I'm yet
to grow up and I've still got a sweet tooth!"
Wear something flexible so you
can go to more houses without being uncomfortable. Try to wear something that
reflects in car headlights for safety.
You'll need a backpack to
store extra costumes, back-up candy bags, and anything else you want to bring
with you.
If you are really desperate
for more candies, take along another basket and say it's for your sick friend
or sibling. The karma of such a lie rests with you.
If your parents aren't keen on
pillowcases leaving the house, buy some cheap from a thrift store.
If it's toward the end of the
night, ask them if they think they're going to have leftover candy that will
just get thrown out. If they say yes, ask if you can have an extra piece or
two. They might even give you three or four. If they overestimated how much
they should buy, or it's a rainy night (and there weren't a lot of trick or
treaters), they might even give you more! Just remember to be polite when you
ask.
If the person lets you grab
the candy out of the bucket yourself, put on a sweet voice and ask, 'How many
can I get?'.
Donate the extra! You don't
have to eat it all yourself!
Warnings!
If you see that the front
lights are off, do not ring the doorbell. It means that they're not
participating and they might be annoyed by you doing so.
If it is late (after 10pm), do
not go to houses with lights off. They may be sleeping or fed up with the trick
and treating.
Try and stick together. Bring
a friend or two with you for safety.
Don't scare the little kids to
get candy, it's mean and is likely to get you into trouble.
Even though its Halloween,
don't eat too much candy in one night. it's best that you save some for other nights
and, eating too much can get you sick. Keep a stash to enjoy over the upcoming
weeks.
Enjoy your trick or treating! Happy Halloween!
Letting go of the past is not easy, especially if you
have wounds that have never properly healed. But, the past is past and living
there may be preventing you from fully experiencing the present. Likewise fear
of what may be looming around the corner can also prevent you from fully
enjoying the present. Live in the moment and look forward to eternity with God,
now that's a great present.
