It's hard to believe it's November 1st already. It was nice to have Halloween on a Friday this year. The kids are always tired and cranky the day after Halloween and getting them up and ready for school the day after has always been my personal Halloween hell.
My European friends, especially my German friend, has always found the American tradition of trick-or-treating amusing. In fact, my German friend made a special visit out here just so she could experience it.
I'm sure trick-or-treating neighborhood traditions vary from region to region, but here in my little corner of Sonoma County here is the unwritten protocol:
1. Trick-or-treat hours are from 6-9 pm;
2. Parents of small children travel in packs and have a disguised "drink wagon" full of alcohol for themselves. They're not fooling anybody. We know what's in the cooler;
3. It is perfectly acceptable to accompany your child to the door of acquaintances holding out your empty wine glass and trick-or-treat for a refill. Most people serve decent wine on Halloween. It's kind of like a neighborhood-wide tasting event. Of course, quality dark chocolate goes hand-in-hand with the red wine;
4. Older teens are welcome to trick-or-treat. Nobody looks down their noses at them sneering that they're too old to be participating. It sure beats having them running amok egging passing cars and smashing pumpkins;
5. Candy bowls left on doorsteps with instructions to 'take one piece' are actually honored and respected.
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