The American tradition of letting children visit neighborhood homes on Halloween, with the aim of getting sweets, is also gaining traction in our country. These tips are for the little ones, in case they are tired of receiving only a few treats, to better prepare for the next Halloween with these proven techniques.
Steps
Step 1. Think back to last Halloween, and focus on the houses that offered the best sweets, and also think about the ones that had the least sweets
The goal is to avoid homes where you get free toothbrushes, apples, and cereal bars, as well as places where you get few candy.
- A neighborhood with few green spaces and narrow sidewalks usually gives you access to more homes for the same amount of time. Apartment buildings save you a lot of walking distance.
- When you think about where you get the most candy, compare with friends so that you only focus on the most profitable houses. If you move in a group, at the end you can exchange part of the harvest to even out the sweets received by each one.
Step 2. Prepare your disguise
The quality and originality of the costume can have an impact on how many sweets you receive. The more interesting, cute, scary, and so on your costume, the more you will encourage your sweet tooth giver to be generous in reward for your effort. Also try to get into the part, to enhance the effect and convince even the most recalcitrant to give you lots of candy.
Step 3. Choose a suitable bag
You can bring with you a backpack, a bag with closure, or even a pillow case, all containers suitable for containing the loot of the evening. Whichever bag you choose, it should be easy to carry, very roomy, and also durable.
- If you use a pillowcase and you fear it will break, or maybe you choose an old one with some tears already, it will be better to double it by inserting it inside another pillowcase.
- If possible, bring a second container or basket. This way you can keep the main loot separate and hidden, and replenish with what you grab from time to time. If you are close to home, you can also go back to empty your bag and then leave again.
- It is best to hang a warning light, or at least some reflective tape, on the bag to increase visibility and safety.
Step 4. Prepare a path to follow
You can bring a map and follow an established route that crosses specific roads, or just follow your knowledge to figure out where it is best to go. This map can help you to follow a set plan and not get distracted to maybe follow other treasure hunters, and avoid visiting the same houses multiple times.
If you intend to go to a different neighborhood from yours, perhaps renowned for the quality of the sweets distributed on Halloween, you absolutely must prepare a map in advance, so as not to get lost during the evening
Step 5. Choose a suitable time to start your ride
The best thing is to start early, when all the houses still have the best sweets available. In some cases, in fact, those who donate sweets are too generous, and the best sweets end immediately; your purpose is to secure the benefits of this generosity!
- Most parents accompany their children to ask for sweets around sunset, so that there is time to visit a few houses before it gets dark. If you start at this time, keep in mind that you will visit the houses with the younger children. If you have siblings or little sisters, this is a good technique. Alternatively you can join the small children of the neighborhood.
- In some neighborhoods it is possible that the public lights are turned off at a certain time. Don't be too late to take security risks.
- Watch out for houses that have their outdoor lights already out - this usually indicates that Halloween is over for that family, and that there are no other sweets to distribute.
Step 6. Behave with courtesy
Adults like courtesy, that's how they are made, you have to understand that with courtesy you will get more sweets than you would get with evasive or surly ways. Compliment the decorations, remember to always say "Trick or treat?" smiling at whoever opens you. The purpose of the evening is to have fun together, so you have to make every family you visit feel like it's special and not just a stop on your treasure hunt!
Step 7. Avoid stopping at costume parties or other similar events
Even if these parties seem fun, you would be wasting precious minutes. Visit only the parties where sweets are distributed, and eventually mark the places you choose not to visit on the map so that you can eventually return later.
Don't eat sweets during the evening. Eating would waste your time and sugar slows down your reflexes
Step 8. Present yourself in a different disguise
If you really want a lot of sweets, change your disguise and return to the same houses you have already visited. If you follow this advice, make sure you are not recognizable otherwise you could get rejections and maybe make someone angry.
Another helpful tip is to empty your purse often, so that it always looks like you've just started your tour. This may encourage people to give you more sweets
Step 9. Move as a group
In this way each member can cover an area, broadening the overall horizons of the group, and then divide the result. Get together at the end of the evening to share or exchange the loot. Agree with your friends on how to exchange sweets fairly and fairly.
If you move in a group, do not create too large one, so as not to invade the houses and not to create problems in the redistribution at the end of the evening
Step 10. You can find a map of your city online or in bookstores and mark the places you are allowed to go
Make a note of the directions on a piece of paper and take it with you on the go. To make sure you can go, have your parents accompany you.
Advice
- Some adults may argue that you are too old to ask for sweets on Halloween, so have a good excuse ready, such as "I'm just accompanying my little brother / cousin / little sister", or just laugh it off.
- If you have a bicycle with a basket or luggage rack, use it, as it is a quick and easy way.
- If you have brothers, sisters or cousins, take them with you. You can also cover more territory while remaining within sight of each other, and then exchange the sweets obtained.
- Wear comfortable clothes so you can move around comfortably without getting tired. If possible, wear clothing that reflects car lights for added safety.
- You need a backpack to hold additional disguises, other bags to store candy, and whatever else you want to take with you.
- If you have recently fractured an arm or leg, introduce yourself wearing the cast to attract sympathy and compassion. This method is most effective with small children and less impressive disguises.
- If you can, ask an adult to drive you to a different neighborhood to diversify your search results.
- If the hour is getting late, ask whoever opens you if there are any candies left over that risk being thrown away at the end of the evening. Remember to ask politely.
- Share your loot with others. You don't have to eat all by yourself!
- Try to visit as many homes as possible as quickly as possible.
- As fun as the evening is nonetheless, don't lose sight of personal safety and watch out when you have to cross the street.
- If you want a large number of sweets, bring an extra bag or basket, and say they are sweets for a friend or brother / sister who is sick at home. Your conscience will be the only one affected by this lie.
- If the person who opens the door offers you to take sweets from a basket or tray, ask in a gentle voice "How many can I get?"
- In some cases, even the stores in large shopping centers may have sweets to give to children for Halloween, so be sure to be informed in advance if there are similar opportunities in your area.
- If you live near a long street with many houses, this could be a real treasure trove of sweets.
Warnings
- Don't be too greedy, or some people may not have a good memory of you next year!
- Don't scare younger children into stealing candy, it's a bad deed that can probably get you into trouble.
- Try to move as a group. Safety improves if you are with one or two friends or girlfriends.
- If you see that a house doesn't have lighted windows, don't ring the bell, as the people who live there may not like to participate in this Halloween tradition, and may react badly if you persist.
- Even if it's Halloween, don't eat too many sweets on the same night, but save some for the following days.
- Not everyone participates enthusiastically in this tradition, do not insist if some house does not open the door for you.
