A couple weeks ago, I wrote a Halloween Plea, aimed at encouraging an evolution of the trick-or-treat tradition away from the Snickers-and-Hershey standby. I pissed a few people off in my writing (I believe the term “douchy” was bandied about), and if my language obscured my message (come on, people, what’s one “STFU” between friends?), I apologize.
Anyway, the long and short of it is that my son, Zev, is on a diet that excludes pretty much anything edible anyone could hand him at the door, but the kid just loves Halloween (and so do I). Add to that, we live in the trick-or-treat equivalent of a rain shadow: for a variety of reasons no kids come down on our street, so we can’t even enjoy the pleasure of giving out candy.
The answer: the Reverse Trick or Treat.
Zev and I donned costumes, loaded up a little red wagon with a bag of quality chocolate and about 500 super balls, and headed out to find kids to give it to.
We had an absolute stellar night.
The basic shtick was: find a group of kids. I would shout to slow them down and announce that my assistant would like to make an announcement. Zev would then explain their options to them: super ball or candy. Choose one, not both. Which is it going to be?
At this point, there was generally befuddled looks. This was not so much “should I choose a super ball or a piece of candy” type of confusion as “I don’t understand the question” type of confusion. But as soon as we tipped the bags towards them, and they saw the superabundance of super balls and cornucopia of candy that was theirs for the taking, they switched from frozen to frenzied.
Now, I know what you’re wondering: which came out on top, candy or super balls?
Do you really need to ask? Super balls beat candy about 3:1, but that’s likely because they were more unique. If everyone was giving out super balls, I have to imagine chocolate would have been the winner.
Anyway, we both got such a kick out of the little performance, getting the kids to slow down and tell us which they were going to pick, joking about their costumes, it’s the start of a new tradition for us.
We ran into our friend Lisa along the way, who wondered aloud whether there mightn’t be some way to create a new tradition of “adult beverage stations” along the trick or treat route for interested parents (an idea that Melissa jumpstarted along the way with a flask). Sounds like a lovely idea to me. Perhaps it could be combined with the reverse trick-or-treat idea: roving adult beverage dispensation for parents, Wallingford?
A huge, huge thank you to for the haunted house awesomeness at 42nd and 1st Ave NE and at 42nd and at 42nd and Corliss, and the day glo dungeon on Sunnyside between 41st and 42nd. Next year (in addition to championing adult beverage stations), we’ll try to assemble a map of these destinations around the ‘hood.
Best Halloween ever.
Thank you again! My son picked the ball : )
We added bubble stuff to our candy mix this year (an inspiration from your earlier post) and it was a hit. I think we’ll definitely add more bubble stuff or something similar next year.
Epic Halloween idea, Jordan! The superballs & seeing you & Zev were definitely one of my favorite parts of the evening. It’s a brilliant way to connect with the neighbors!
Thanks, Jordan. My cats love the superball.
Offering my support and assistance on the “adult beverage station” thing. I had to bring my own flask and I felt like a dirty old man. Let’s get it out in the open!
And just wait until you try my “Margarita’s Evil Twin” featuring Mescal and lemon juice.
Huber
I dressed up and reversed trick-or-treated, too! I mostly gave out candy but handed out some bubbles as well. I had a lot of fun and the kids seemed confused as to why I would randomly give them candy. It was great actually getting to MEET people in our neighborhood as being child-free means we pretty much stick to our street. Thanks for being a great ‘hood!
Erin
(AKA. Elliott from E.T.)
Thanks again for the head’s up on allergies. Children (and parents) were stunned when I asked if there were any food allergies. I was stunned at the number of peanut allergies. Also surprised by the number of kids without allergies who asked for fruit gummies. And finally, if costume creativity is any measure, our future is in very good hands.
Thanks so much to the house on 1st & 46th that was handing out spin toothbrushes! Far and away my kids favorite “treat”, probably because my 4 year old son got Darth Vader and my artist daughter got a crayola crayon and stickers. Much appreciated! What a great night. So thankful to live in such a great neighborhood.
So glad that you found a way to make Halloween work for you guys and that you had so much fun doing it!
I have to add, I hope most of you were able to check out the awesomeness at 42nd and Woodland Park Ave. The yard was done up like the hill in The Nightmare Before Christmas and the whole family was dressed up like the characters in the movie. So amazing! They inspired us to step up our Halloween game for next year.
I think a map of cool destinations is a great idea!!
Sadly by the time my kids ran into you they were too spent to engage. Thanks for keeping up the spirit, and our family loved our first Wallingford Halloween!
I added in spooky tattoos and cute pencils, along with the regular candy, and made sure to add in some non-peanut candy too. My husband was shocked at the appeal of the pencils! We’ll definitely be adding these options in future years. And I love the adult beverage component–we don’t have kids but I go with my nephews and so this would be super fun. Count our house in as one that would serve the grown ups next year!
Oh, and Erin/Elliott . . . we ran into you on 48th and Densmore and LOVED the idea and my sister couldn’t stop raving about your ET. Next year maybe we’ll do this too!
Our group trick-or-treated from you at about Sunnyside and 42nd last night. Great idea! We lightened both your candy and bouncy ball loads. Count us in on the beverage station partakers next year 🙂
Thank you and what a great idea! Love that you take your son’s challenge as an opportunity. He can still be included and probably has more fun than the usual door to door jaunt.
I just want to say that Halloween makes me love our hood even more than I usually do. I love the community spirit, creativity and sense of togetherness the holiday inspires. This is the stuff of amazing childhood memories, people. Thank you for being neighbors and building a true community. Go Wallingford! Go Wallyhood!
Holly:
Thanks a lot! We live in the corner house of 48th and Densmore and really loved seeing such wonderful and friendly people. I don’t mean to put anyone down, but we have spent the past nine Halloweens on Mercer Island where the kids are picky, demanding, and RUDE! I was very proud of our neighborhood.
E
PS. If you want to purchase a light-up talking E.T., I’m your gal!
@Erin, that reminds me: while we were out, we ran across a group of kids that were a bit on the old side to be trick-or-treating, I’d make ’em at 15 – 16, but all dressed up (as Harry Potter characters), so we gave them the act and the superballs. One of them looked at the others and said “Hey guys, how come we didn’t think of this! Giving!”
It just about brought a tear to my eye.
It is going to be so awesome to start a new trend in Wallingford! Perhaps we can get a group together next year!
Erin
Don’t forget Ashworth and 42nd(the cat house)! We give out bouncy balls and vampire teeth and for next year we will add a tempting beverage for those adults willing to brave Seattles bitter rainy weather:)