this post was submitted on 31 Oct 2023
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My sister is 23 and still dresses up and goes out knocking doors for candy... and I find it weird but I let her do her. It got me thinking, at what age do you think someone should stop Trick r Treating at? Just curious.

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[–] jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de 120 points 10 months ago (1 children)

When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.

  • C.S. Lewis

Good on your sister for not losing track of what makes her happy. Not doing things just because they are "childish" is the most childish trait an adult can display.

[–] IanAtCambio@lemm.ee 27 points 10 months ago (4 children)

THATS the rest of the quote!!?! Ha. Man I’ve always just heard it stop at “ childish things”. Makes more sense now

[–] savedbythezsh@sh.itjust.works 19 points 10 months ago

Actually no, Lewis is parodying the Bible: https://www.biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-11.htm

The Bible quote does say that, but he's poking fun at it by saying "why so serious?"

[–] Reil@beehaw.org 13 points 10 months ago

You heard it that way because that's because that's the end of 1 Corinthians 13:11:

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

C.S. Lewis is playing off of a Bible quote and that became its own thing.

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[–] zerbey@lemmy.world 83 points 10 months ago (3 children)

The rule is, if you dress up you get candy. I don't care how old you are, but you have to be dressed up.

[–] Maximilious@kbin.social 16 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I always end up over buying and want that candy GONE! No age restrictions for me either.

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[–] probablyaCat@kbin.social 66 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I hate the idea that older kids shouldn't do it. Like I remember getting shit when I decided to be kid-like again at 15 after not having done it when I was 13 and 14.

Houses told me I was too old. And looking back now, as a parent of teens, and I wish they and their friends were just going out trick r treating. I will definitely encourage any kid I see. And at my age anyone under 26 is a kid, easily. I'd much rather kids do something communal and fun than just go out drinking. I'm sure that by the next Halloween when I was 16 I was probably doing something less good than asking for free candy.

If we want people to be communal, have fun, and be safe then we shouldn't give them shit when they do that. So I don't care if the old dude down the streets dons a skeleton costume and grabs a pillow case. If he has a costume, he gets candy. And anyone who tells me different will get called out for being a killjoy.

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[–] NutWrench@lemmy.ml 63 points 10 months ago

As long as you're wearing a costume, I don't care how old you are. You'll get a treat.

[–] Pulptastic@midwest.social 53 points 10 months ago (3 children)

I give candy to parents with costumes. Knock on my door, say trick or treat, and you get candy. Them's the rules.

I also give adults I know beer or seltzer.

[–] gabbagabbahey@lemm.ee 12 points 10 months ago

If you don't give a treat, you risk getting tricked.

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[–] mypasswordis1234@lemmy.world 50 points 10 months ago (1 children)

If it makes her happy, why do you care? I assume that most people do "childish" things despite their age because it makes them happy.

[–] JSens1998@lemmy.ml 13 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

She can do her, and I am happy for her. I'm just curious what other people's opinions are is all?

[–] mypasswordis1234@lemmy.world 16 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Honestly? I wouldn't care about age. Just tell her not to destroy other people's property by doing the "trick".

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[–] neptune@dmv.social 11 points 10 months ago (2 children)

All the thirty five year olds giving her candy probably think it's funny

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[–] sunbeam60@lemmy.one 45 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I’d be super happy with no upper limit on age.

What I definitely have is an attitude limit; I loathe it when sullen teenagers knock the door, mutter “trckotrt”, no dress up except someone has drawn a tear on their face and then grabs five portions of candy and just dashes out.

Like, you can be fucking 40 for all I care, but you squeal “triiick of treaaaat”, then I say “wow, aren’t your costumes great” and offer the bowl up. You then grab one large or a couple of small things, say thank you and walk off excitedly.

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 22 points 10 months ago (1 children)

This.

As you age, trick or treat should be more like wasseling, where we wander the local hood, check in the people we should see more often, share candy back and forth and agree that Mr Stewart in #10 is a bit of a dick.

It should keep a more social aspect with less candy as we mature as social adults. Parents should take older kids to mature them a bit.

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[–] tacosanonymous@lemm.ee 35 points 10 months ago

If someone has the confidence to dress up and ring my doorbell, they’re getting candy and positive vibes from me.

[–] pinkdrunkenelephants@lemmy.cafe 33 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Age limitation on trick-or-treaters is an inherently fascist concept and will be trashed when the revolution happens.

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[–] punkwalrus@lemmy.world 32 points 10 months ago (2 children)

No age limit in this household. I'd say "just show up with a bag," but I just gave treats so some 4yo with no bag. If an adult asked? They'd get them.

I just want to be kind. I wasn't allowed to trick or treat as a kid. I did as a teen, and you know what? Nobody cared how old our group was. We got candy like the rest of them. God bless those neighbors.

And God bless Halloween.

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[–] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 29 points 10 months ago (4 children)

It's an arbitrary cultural custom, with even more arbitrary expectations for who's included. I find it weird when a grown-up comes to your door and it straight up makes certain people angry, but there's no logical reason why it's bad.

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[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 29 points 10 months ago

I stopped at 14. At 23 it’s definitely weird, but whatever. I think it’s unfortunate that our culture shames adults for partaking in controlled mischief aspects of holidays and other such fun holiday traditions.

[–] amanneedsamaid@sopuli.xyz 29 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I think your Senior year of high school oughta be the cutoff, but I don't have any issues with college students trick or treating, so I think 23 or so would be my candy refusal threshold. This actually reminds me of a story I read a long time ago:

It's Halloween and there's a knock on the door, nothing out of the ordinary, and the person got up and went to the door. When they opened it, they found another door and doorframe up against their door, which read "Please knock for candy", they knocked and were offered candy by some college students who were carrying an entire door and frame around for this bit. I believe it ended with the homeowner refusing candy and giving the college students candy.

So yeah, I need to add an exception to my Halloween code of ethics: An awesome costume / gag can make up for any age.

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[–] MilkToaster@reddthat.com 28 points 10 months ago (2 children)

How generous of you.

but I let her do it.

[–] funkajunk@lemm.ee 21 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Pretty sure they mean they leave their sister to do as she pleases, and not shaming her for it.

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[–] RBWells@lemmy.world 27 points 10 months ago

No age limit but costume required. At least put on your sister's makeup or brothers overalls or saggy jeans, something. I have turned away kids without costumes but will candy anyone of any age who makes even the weakest attempt at a costume.

[–] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 27 points 10 months ago (4 children)

Okay, rant time. If you don't like rants, skip this comment.

Listen motherfuckers, Halloween isn't about candy. The fact that the candy has become the point is a fucking problem.

We've lost the social cohesion, the sense of community, and even the superstitions that made Halloween such a popular holiday.

And that fucking sucks.

Nobody really believes we're scaring off bad spirits any more, but we could at least celebrate the weird, the scary, and just spend one night a year dressing up for fun.

Fuck the candy. The only reason we have to give out candy is because assholes fucked up being able to give out home made treats. Man, did any of y'all have the fucking awesomeness of getting candy coated apples, or home made fudge, or wax paper wrapped cookies? Or anything but the sugar bombs in a bag you buy? But no, some assholes had to fuck around and break the ability to trust the social contract of Halloween.

Shit, I'm the only asshole in my entire town baking and making things today. Why? Because I'm the only idiot willing to put up a sign on my door "home made treats available on request by adults". Which means I'm the only house on the fucking street that has cars pulling up with kids in them, accompanied by adults. Parents don't let kids walk the streets on Halloween any more because humans are fucking horrible and can't be trusted not to mess with kids. So that means nobody even fucking bothers to hand out anything, they all go to fucking trunk and treat shit, which ends up being about the fucking candy instead of having fun because a bunch of people in parking lots isn't a community.

Fuck. Fuck the assholes that ruined Halloween and turned it into a day for fucking candy.

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[–] Immersive_Matthew@sh.itjust.works 26 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Any age that makes the effort to dress up and have fun. If you are not ok with that you need to ask yourself what killed your inner child?

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[–] owiseedoubleyou@lemmy.ml 24 points 10 months ago
[–] Endorkend@kbin.social 23 points 10 months ago

None.

Halloween isn't really a thing here, but last year the elderly home organized a Trick or Treating event where everyone was invited, but it was mainly setup to give the elderly a fun activity.

I don't think I've ever seen people enjoy dressing up for Halloween as much as they did.

[–] ManosTheHandsOfFate@lemmy.world 21 points 10 months ago (1 children)

If it's the end of the evening and you're 47 with no costume and driving a beatup Civic, I'll happily dump candy in your backpack so that I don't have it sitting at home tempting me to eat it.

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[–] KingGordon@lemmy.world 19 points 10 months ago (3 children)

If you show up to my house in a costume, you're getting candy at any age.

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[–] Gallardo994@sh.itjust.works 19 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Probably around 90. Might have a hard time after that

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[–] Erika3sis@hexbear.net 18 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I feel like there's no age where dressing up and knocking on doors becomes inappropriate. It's fun, it can increase social cohesion in a community, there's no reason for adults not to be a little silly, yadda yadda. Already now it's perfectly acceptable for an adult attending trick-or-treating children to dress up as well, but I think adults alone or in adult groups should be allowed to dress up as well.

But then there's the "asking for candy" part... Now I don't think there's any age where people should stop eating candy, either — but when you have the ability to easily buy (or even make) your own candy, then maybe it'd be a better idea to start giving out your candy to the houses you knock on, if you still want to go out in costume.

I dunno, just a thought. I wouldn't tell your sister to stop, though. We're all a little weird at the end of the day.

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[–] QTpi@sh.itjust.works 18 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I love the tradition of trick or treating in the neighborhood. I hate that it is dying in some communities (instead going to malls, trunk or treat etc). I happily give candy to anyone who knocks on the door and I don't care how old they are or if it's "late". It's a fun time for everyone.

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[–] tyrefyre@sh.itjust.works 18 points 10 months ago

Like I don’t give a shit how old someone is. If you show up in a costume I’m giving you candy. No matter the age. I don’t know why you’d care what she’s doing, how is it hurting you or anyone else?

[–] IanAtCambio@lemm.ee 17 points 10 months ago

I’d just be happy she has a costume on. Around here we get grown adults with no costumes asking for candy with their kids. I guess I enable them because I don’t want to call them out in front of their own kids, but come on.

[–] AlpineSteakHouse@hexbear.net 17 points 10 months ago (1 children)

No age limit, you could literally be 80 at my door in a walker and you'd still get candy.

It's not like Candy is a valuable resource, if they want to dress up to get some M&M's then more power to them.

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[–] grimaferve@kglitch.social 16 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Honestly, I don't really set an age limit. I won't judge people who are out for fun. I've been there, there's not much to do around where I live.

That being said though... Regardless of your age, if you costume up, you're likely to get more candy from me. (I'll also offer candy to parents and older siblings who aren't taking part because I'm cool like that. Just don't stick chocolate bars in your pockets LMAO)

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[–] Jelly_mcPB@lemmy.world 16 points 10 months ago

" I let her do it"

[–] Tyrsis@lemmy.world 16 points 10 months ago

I used to think there should be an age limit, I think i officially stopped trick or treating at like 13 or 14. I live Halloween though and always did so I dressed up and trotted around with my little siblings to help keep an eye and make sure they were safe and didn't get too scared because we did have a few houses that often provided "tricks" with their treats.

Most of the adults tied to give me candy too even though I wasn't carrying a bag, some flat out refused my attempt at just saying I was chaperoning and not trick or treating. Got told by a few that I dressed up and that's the rules, I got candy without trying just because I wanted to have fun and spend time with my siblings.

I remember a few people giving my dad candy when he took me as a kid because he always dressed up with us. He even stayed back on the walk way as we walked up to the house and the old guy giving out candy yelled out "Hey Wolfman!" my dad looked up as he was dressed as a werewolf and got a reeses thrown to him with additional compliments on his costume.

All this to say is I don't think I'd give any side eye to anyone coming to get some candy, sometimes adults need a little pick me up as well and it just used to be fun seeing all the different costumes and creative stuff people would come up with or randomly scaring a couple older kids just by opening the door with whatever creepy costume I had that year.

[–] Lanthanae@lemmy.blahaj.zone 15 points 10 months ago (5 children)

18/20 because after that you ought to be able to be a candy-giver. This whole thing only works if we have enough candy-givers, and too late of a cutoff age skews the balance.

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[–] PelicanPersuader@beehaw.org 13 points 10 months ago

The older you are, the more effort I expect. A kid can get away with a cape and a mask. If an older teen comes, I expect full costume, not everyday clothes. Adult? You better be rocking a great cosplay. Not that I'd refuse anyone, but I'll be happiest giving treats to young children or people showing off really amazing effort in the costume department.

[–] astanix@lemmy.world 12 points 10 months ago

There is no age limit. I will give candy to anyone in a costume that is trick or treating.

[–] MorningstarCorndog@lemmy.today 12 points 10 months ago

No age. Anyone against fun social traditions is a jerk and a loser. I stand by my word.

We have like 4 children in our neighbourhood. If an adult showed up at my door in costume, I'd be thrilled to get a visitor, give them candy and offer them booze (it's also common in my area for homes to offer drinks to parents who are chaperoning their kids).

On a similar note, when my son was about 7, my girlfriend at the time (who was 28) came with us in costume and and went up to houses with him with a candy bag and collected treats. The first couple houses, I actually felt like "this is a little embarrassing" but people just gave her candy and alcohol and I was like "You know what, this is fun!" I realized I was being a stiff adult and should just get over myself (a beer and a couple cup of hot cider with whiskey didn't hurt my attitude either).

[–] emptyother@programming.dev 11 points 10 months ago

When you have a place to live and can afford a bucket of candy, I think it is an obligation to everyone who wants this tradition to continue to stay at home (yours or someone else if youre having a halloween party) and give out candy to the kids and compliment their costumes.

But other than that, nah, no age limit as long as you can still say thanks and enjoy it.

[–] Truck_kun@beehaw.org 10 points 10 months ago

If you are an adult, and clearly an adult, then it's probably too old.

I'll still give you candy if I answer the door, but that is probably where you might creep some people out, or they give creeper vibes and don't trust answering the door.

That said, in my own experience, you are too old to trick or treat once you pass about 5'6" (~165 cm).

I remember finding out I was too old. After an event, some friends wanted to go trick or treating. I was in high school still, but just shy of 6 feet. Female friend the same age was just over 5', and another female friend that was a few years older was about 4'9".

Anyways, they trick or treated fine, and I got stares, and clearly treated differently. Clearly trick or treating is not about age, but perceived age. (and effort. If you're short and all covered up in your costume, no one will know or care... long as your voice isn't boss baby)

[–] HipsterTenZero@dormi.zone 10 points 10 months ago (1 children)
  1. I'll give a decrepit old dude candy, but i draw the line at actual vampires
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