Tips for welcoming trick or treaters to your front porch
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
We asked our readers for tips on how to make a good first impression on the trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood.
- Many of you wrote back, sharing tips on how to prepare the front yard, what candy to buy and how to be more inclusive of our guests.
Here are some tips from your fellow Axios Dallas readers on how to spruce up your Halloween plans…
🍫 Be on brand. Some of the homes in Katie V's neighborhood have their own brand, such as a dentist who always gives out bags with small toys.
- "Now is your chance to decide what house you want to be for Halloween. Are you the King Candy Bar house? The non-candy but fun tchotchke house?" Katie says.
🪑 Sit outside. Todd M.'s family moved their fire pit to the front yard for Halloween last year, greeting families that came by.
- "It was very welcoming and a great deal of fun for us — and no going to the door every two minutes," Todd says.
😱 Add an element of surprise. Bryan W. says his wife has enjoyed hiding in the bushes and surprising kids as they get their candy.
- "Not for everyone but she thrived off the fear. It was pretty funny to watch and I'm sure it gave the kids a good Halloween memory," Bryan says.
🤣 Have fun with it. Krista F. usually plays a kids Halloween station on Spotify and hands out candy from a "Witch Better Have My Money" bowl she bought at World Market a few years ago.
👀 Hang it up. Francis R. knows someone whose parents started pinning candy on a clothesline during the pandemic so people could trick-or-treat while social distancing.
- The neighborhood loved the idea so much, the family still hangs candy on a clothes line, Francis says.
🎃 Practice inclusivity. Jennifer K. reminds us that you can leave out a colored pumpkin for autism or epilepsy awareness or to indicate that you have non-food treats.
🧸 Mix it up. Kimberly D. says gummy candy tends to do better than chocolate and suggests putting some Halloween decor in your yard so kids know you are open for business.
- "Consider putting out an aqua pumpkin and ensuring you share candy that meets all allergy and gluten-free needs," Kimberly says.
🐣 Prepare for babies. Leslie N. suggests having something on hand for babies or small children, like small toys or Ring Pops that parents can hold so they can't be swallowed.
- She also suggests giving candy to adults if they dress up.
The bottom line: Halloween is supposed to be fun and quirky. See what works for your crowd and don't be afraid of some trial and error.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with more Halloween tips.