the Halloween population explosion
Last night was Halloween, and for us, that means four bags of candy and still we run out. So last weekend, I went and bought the four bags of candy (just because I refuse to buy 5. I could buy 10 and we'd still run out) and called us prepared.
A bit of history...we live in a fairly new community. The development started about 4 years ago and was out in the middle of nowhere, and we were one of the first 100 families in what will eventually be about 800 homes. It's nearing completion. In the first two years, we were the only complete street (all the houses built) and it ended in a cul de sac. Target rich for trick or treaters. They'd start on one side, rake it in till they got to the cul de sac and then hit the other side on the way out. We had people from the hillsides, minivans full of kids, friends and relations, commuting into our community for Halloween, because we were the only thing going for miles.
OK, now fast forward to this year. New developments are springing up, and our own is just about done. We are no longer the only show in town. We got to the door, casting our guesses for how long the measley four bags would last this year, and to our surprise, we have leftovers. We didn't get near the crowd we have in the past, even though there are a lot more kids around. We got plenty, but we have over a bag of candy left. We sat there at 8:30 looking at a deserted street wondering, "where are they?" I can only assume that now that there are plenty of other options out there, we've become less of a commodity. While it doesn't upset me all that much, I now own extra candy, and my waistline is crying for help. I hope I remember this next year, so we buy a bit less.
A Halloween lesson for those new to the concept - every neighborhood has one. There's one guy who has to hand out something healthy. It's either fruit, or the worst is a toothbrush. You don't want to be that guy. Don't ever be that guy. Give into the fact that Halloween is a celebration of all things unhealthy for your teeth. It's smothered in chocolate and caramel and sugar and deal with it. If you want to make a difference, stay away from the stuff like sugar daddy's, that will attempt to yank a kid's teeth out from the roots, but beyond that, just give in. The car pool kids were discussing that guy this morning, and while no threats were made, it was clear everyone in the neighborhood knows him, and that's the reason why. You don't want to be the guy with that reputation hanging around your house. Nobody cares if your intent was to be a smart ass, or you were genuinely concerned about the health and welfare of the children. The road to having your house toilet papered, or egged, or smeared with the juice of the fruit you doled out, is paved with those intentions. Nothing good will come of it.
A bit of history...we live in a fairly new community. The development started about 4 years ago and was out in the middle of nowhere, and we were one of the first 100 families in what will eventually be about 800 homes. It's nearing completion. In the first two years, we were the only complete street (all the houses built) and it ended in a cul de sac. Target rich for trick or treaters. They'd start on one side, rake it in till they got to the cul de sac and then hit the other side on the way out. We had people from the hillsides, minivans full of kids, friends and relations, commuting into our community for Halloween, because we were the only thing going for miles.
OK, now fast forward to this year. New developments are springing up, and our own is just about done. We are no longer the only show in town. We got to the door, casting our guesses for how long the measley four bags would last this year, and to our surprise, we have leftovers. We didn't get near the crowd we have in the past, even though there are a lot more kids around. We got plenty, but we have over a bag of candy left. We sat there at 8:30 looking at a deserted street wondering, "where are they?" I can only assume that now that there are plenty of other options out there, we've become less of a commodity. While it doesn't upset me all that much, I now own extra candy, and my waistline is crying for help. I hope I remember this next year, so we buy a bit less.
A Halloween lesson for those new to the concept - every neighborhood has one. There's one guy who has to hand out something healthy. It's either fruit, or the worst is a toothbrush. You don't want to be that guy. Don't ever be that guy. Give into the fact that Halloween is a celebration of all things unhealthy for your teeth. It's smothered in chocolate and caramel and sugar and deal with it. If you want to make a difference, stay away from the stuff like sugar daddy's, that will attempt to yank a kid's teeth out from the roots, but beyond that, just give in. The car pool kids were discussing that guy this morning, and while no threats were made, it was clear everyone in the neighborhood knows him, and that's the reason why. You don't want to be the guy with that reputation hanging around your house. Nobody cares if your intent was to be a smart ass, or you were genuinely concerned about the health and welfare of the children. The road to having your house toilet papered, or egged, or smeared with the juice of the fruit you doled out, is paved with those intentions. Nothing good will come of it.
John put this out here at 8:42 AM
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