not-so-hallowed eve

If you're like us, you had several adorable trick-or-treaters, some blood-spattered tweens, a few awkward teenagers, and four middle aged people with no costumes and outstretched pillowcases. One of the adorable ones poked his head through the doorway ('Tylerrrrrr! get out of her house!' called the mom/handler) and, upon seeing our spooky cobwebbed and candlelit waterfall, exclaimed "IS THIS THE HAUNTED HOUSE??" Ummm, "the" haunted house? what are our neighbors telling these kids about us? i'm intruiged... and concerned.
Anyway, back to the sorry lot who show up and stick their hands or pillowcases out without nary a 'trick or treat' or even 'happy halloween'. i get that it's a bizarre, awkward tradition to beg sweets off complete strangers while dressed like an idiot, but it is what it is. The awkwardness or the gruesomeness of the holiday doesn't eradicate basic manners. Honestly, i don't very much mind the handful of teenage and adult 'treaters', as long as they're in costume and behave politely. i was telling Brandon that next year i'll post a (short) list of rules above my doorbell: "Be in costume and be polite or don't ring the bell" and he directed me to this fun little nugget:

SIGNS ABOVE MY HALLOWEEN CANDY:
1996–2006.
BY ZACH OBERMAN
- - - -

1996
Trick or treat! Please take one. Happy Halloween!

1997
Happy Halloween! One piece only, please.

1998
The candy is for everyone. We ask that you take only one piece so that others may enjoy it as well. (Also, please do not take the bowl. Last year's was a wedding gift. We would greatly appreciate its return; no questions asked.)

1999
Please DON'T take just one. DON'T have a happy Halloween.

2000
Clearly, you're not falling for reverse psychology. Let's try negative reinforcement. Enjoy the Brussels sprouts!

2001
Last year was a fun little reminder of the trick half of "trick or treat." True, I sort of expected to find my house covered in toilet paper, but just because I'm old-fashioned doesn't mean I can't take a joke. (I'm still impressed that someone could write so legibly in shaving cream and—correct me if I'm wrong—excrement.) I surrender, you rascals! Take your chocolate plunder* (ha, ha)!
* One piece per person.

2002
For the record, slashing a man's tires is not a "trick." It's a "felony." Nevertheless, I won't let a mere $600 ruin my holiday spirit. Check out the devil horns on my new Rottweiler, Cerberus—he's devilishly cute! Help yourself to some candy—just know that Cerberus seems to think it's all for him, and he tends to be protective. He's also a bit twitchy from the handful of amphetamines I gave him. Bon appétit!

2003
Here is the candy, per your demands. Please return Cerberus. It's been a year and we miss him.

2004
Very funny, making my dog a full-fledged meth addict before sending him home. I get the irony. Have as much candy as you can eat. You'd be amazed at how cheap razor blades are these days.

2005
Here we are again. You're right; I was bluffing last year with the razorblades. take the candy. I can't stop you. In fact, I hope you enjoy it, I really do. Because it will be the last sweet sensation in your sorry excuse for a life. You've soiled my doorstep, corrupted my dog, ruined four perfectly good tires, and stolen a central piece of my tableware. I've spent the last three months watching 'Apocalypse Now', and as far as you're concerned I'm Colonel Kurtz. Can you hear that? In the trees? That's me. Turn around and say hi, but make it good, because they'll be your last words.

2006
Howdy! I want to say that moving to a new neighborhood can be really scary, but everybody has been so terrific, especially in looking past all the ugly rumors that seem to have followed me here. (You know how these "lawyers" can get ...) Anyway, here's a little treat to say thanks! Happy Halloween! (Please take only one.)