I know this is sort of a perennial topic for trads at this time of year, so I don't wish to rehash the arguments about whether or not to allow your own children to go trick-or-treating.  My questions is, for those of us not allowing our children to participate, what do you do/tell other children who come to your door seeking candy?  Turn off the lights and ignore the knocks?  Hand out prayer cards instead of candy?  Give in and hand out candy, if for no other reason than to avoid toilet paper in your trees?

We kind of escape the problem here; we not only keep the lights off, but our driveway is VERY very long, about a city block. We are in a rural area. We don't get any trick-or-treaters.

Even if some people went trick-or-treating on our street, they'd probably skip our house. Most of the homes on my street are trailer homes, and are very close to the street. But ours is set way back, which I like.

If I were trick-or-treating here, I'd skip our house. Too much work. I've been trick-or-treating many times, and you learn how to be efficient so you don't wear yourself out.

Another benefit of living in the country, I guess.

If we are home we will hand out candy till about 8pm, by then the young ones are gone.  I don't mind giving the little ones treats on All Hallows' Eve in honor of the saints,  but when the teens come out our lights go off!

I wish someone would publish little cards that could be given out with the candy explaining the true meaning of All Hallows' Eve (for the edification of the parents), maybe it would plant a seed.

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In Arcadia CA, SSPX, Fr. Ward had a program for the children on All Saints' Day, where they dressed up in costumes that they had made at home, and each child or group would take turns in the Parish Hall presenting their memorized rendition of the saint of their choice and costume.  

These children did such an amazing job, it was obvious that their saints were pouring out graces on them, to the point where it was easy to imagine that the child talking, at least for a moment, truly became the saint they were imitating.  It was absolutely spell-binding to see this happen.  

Fr. sat in the middle of the center aisle and had the task of trying to guess who the saint was.  He told me later that when they picked a saint who isn't on the liturgical calendar, it could get very difficult.  But he did a great job.  He left this legacy when he was transferred to Chicago, which Fr. Cooper continued.  

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In our town, the city actually decides when "Trick or Treat" Day is.  Fortunately for us, it is rarely on the 31st.  This year it will be on the 29th.  I do not buy candy or pass it out.  Why should I?  There is zero significance to October 29th anyway.

Besides, only a few children come down our street anyway.  Most of the people on our street are very elderly and they usually do not participate any more.

We do have a family party on All Hallow's Eve--we make treats, play games, and sing songs.  We also prepare our family altar with photos of the grandparents as we prepare for All Soul's Day.

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In Arcadia CA, SSPX, Fr. Ward had a program for the children on All Saints' Day, where they dressed up in costumes that they had made at home, and each child or group would take turns in the Parish Hall presenting their memorized rendition of the saint of their choice and costume.  

These children did such an amazing job, it was obvious that their saints were pouring out graces on them, to the point where it was easy to imagine that the child talking, at least for a moment, truly became the saint they were imitating.  It was absolutely spell-binding to see this happen.  

Fr. sat in the middle of the center aisle and had the task of trying to guess who the saint was.  He told me later that when they picked a saint who isn't on the liturgical calendar, it could get very difficult.  But he did a great job.  He left this legacy when he was transferred to Chicago, which Fr. Cooper continued.  

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To be fair, Fr. Cooper did this same program at Queen of Angels for the ten years he was there.  As far as I know it continues to this day.  

One good thing about living in an apartment building is that trick or treaters are rare.