THE TRADITIONS LIBRARY
Trick-or-Treating
As evening arrives on Halloween, neighbourhoods begin to fill with costumes, glowing pumpkins, and the familiar sound of “trick or treat.”
Some people spend the evening visiting doorsteps, collecting treats, and admiring decorations along the way. Others stay home, turn on the porch light, and wait for the parade of visitors to arrive. Both are part of the tradition.
A costume can be elaborate, homemade, borrowed, worn over a winter coat, or skipped altogether. However someone joins in, Halloween offers a chance to welcome neighbours, share a little delight, and make room for everyone at the door.
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The Traditions Library
0059
CATEGORY
Halloween
FREQUENCY
Annually
AGES
All Ages
COST
Flexible
The Story Behind It
Trick-or-treating developed over time from a mixture of customs. In earlier traditions in parts of Britain and Ireland, people visited homes in disguise, sometimes offering a song, a joke, or another performance in exchange for food or a gift.
Halloween celebrations in North America also included costumes, visits, and mischief, though the customs varied from place to place. The familiar phrase has a Canadian paper trail: an Ontario newspaper used the variation “tricks or treats” in 1917, and a 1927 report from Blackie, Alberta, described young people going to doors and asking for “trick or treat.”
By the 1930s, costumed trick-or-treaters were common in Edmonton. Apples, fruit, popcorn, nuts, and candy were among the treats people might receive.
Over time, the evening became familiar in many communities: some neighbours travelled from door to door, while others welcomed them with treats.
What You'll Need
If you’re going out:
• A costume or festive clothing, if desired.
• A bag, bucket, pillowcase, or other container.
• Comfortable footwear and clothing suited to the weather.
• A flashlight or reflective item for visibility.
If you’re welcoming visitors:
• An outdoor light or another clear way to signal that you’re participating.
• Individually, commercially wrapped treats.
• Optional non-food treats, such as stickers, for children who can’t have certain foods.
For door-to-door visitors, choose commercially wrapped treats rather than homemade baking or candy. Families can then check ingredients and packaging more easily.
When children return home, an adult should inspect their treats before they’re eaten. Set aside anything homemade, unwrapped, opened, or in damaged packaging, and check labels for any allergies or sensitivities.
Make It Your Own
Choose the kind of Halloween evening your household enjoys. Visit a few familiar neighbours, meet friends for part of the route, attend a community event, or stay home and welcome visitors. A short outing is every bit as much a Halloween tradition as a long one.
If you’re handing out treats, make the welcome your own with a favourite costume, a friendly greeting, or a decorated doorway. You can keep the lights and sounds gentle for visitors who prefer a less startling stop.
Begin with a familiar dinner, take a photograph in the same spot each year, or finish with a warm drink while everyone shares their favourite moments.
And once the treats have been checked, there may be one final household custom to negotiate: the parent tax- a piece or two of candy for the grown-up who walked the route, carried the extra layers, or answered the door. Of course, the terms are best agreed upon with the candy’s rightful owner.
How It’s Done
If you’re heading out, choose a costume or festive clothing if you wish, bring a bag or container, and visit participating homes or a community event. Many households signal that they are welcoming trick-or-treaters by turning on an outdoor or porch light. Local customs vary, so look for other signs of participation, too.
At each stop, offer a greeting if you can, accept a treat, and continue along the route. Some children say “trick or treat,” some wave or use a communication device, and some may not speak. A smile and a welcome are enough.
If you’re staying in, turn on your porch light, prepare your treats, and enjoy welcoming visitors. You can dress up too, or answer the door just as you are. When you’re finished handing out treats, turn off the light to signal that you’re done.
Welcome children of all ages- including teenagers. Children come in different sizes, communicate in different ways, and may have disabilities or needs that aren’t visible. A child may not wear a costume, say the expected words, or look the age someone assumes. There is room for them all at the door.