7 Unspoken Trick-or-Treat Etiquette Rules Every Good Neighbor Should Follow

Trick-or-treating is one of the most beloved Halloween traditions, but there are some unspoken etiquette rules that come with it. Whether you're chaperoning little trick-or-treaters or you're staying behind to hand out candy, following these general rules ensures Halloween night is fun for everyone.

Although every neighborhood is a little bit different and some areas participate in trick-or-treating festivities more than others, the etiquette guidelines we've compiled are applicable everywhere. And, while many are familiar with the 'take just one piece of candy' rule, it's important to observe other unspoken rules to ensure a fun and respectful Halloween night for everyone.

If you're not quite sure what time it's acceptable to start trick-or-treating or which houses it's ok to approach, here's your Halloween etiquette guide that eliminates all the guesswork.

1. Don't Ring the Doorbell If the Porch Lights Are Off

Use porch lights as your trick-or-treating guide on Halloween night. If the lights are on, it means the home is ready to welcome trick-or-treaters. If the porch lights are off, don't ring the doorbell. A dark porch generally means one of three things: the family is out trick-or-treating, they have run out of candy, or they simply chose not to participate. So, if the house is unlit, simply continue to the next home. 

2. If You're Not Handing Out Candy, Turn the Porch Lights Off

The unspoken porch light rule applies as much to trick-or-treaters as it does to people staying at home. If you don't want to give out candy this Halloween, make sure you turn the porch lights off so that kids don't ring the door bell and ask for candy. And, if you are participating in the spooky festivities but run out of candy, flip the lights off to avoid disappointed candy collectors.

3. Don’t Show Up Too Early

In some neighborhoods, trick-or-treating doesn't happen on the actual night of Halloween, but a day or two before October 31st. Make sure to check your local trick-or-treating schedule to see what your neighborhood is doing this year. In addition to double-checking for the correct date, find out the official trick-or-treating hours.

While most towns have trick-or-treating between 6 and 9pm, sometimes there are changes due to local circumstances or weather-related issues. Make sure you find out your neighborhood's official trick-or-treating day and respect the set hours by not showing up too early or ringing people's doorbells too late.

4. Be Patient

As fun as Halloween night is, waiting is an inevitable part of trick-or-treating. In bustling neighborhoods, you may have to wait your turn for treats. Whether you ring the doorbell and it takes the homeowners a long time to answer, or there's a long line of dressed up trick-or-treaters in front of a house, it's important to be patient. Instead of ringing the doorbell multiple times or crowding the front door while another group of trick-or-treaters is there, be patient and wait for your turn—it'll make the night much more enjoyable for you and everyone else.

5. Be Respectful (And Don't Hog the Candy Bowl)

The volume of trick-or-treaters varies from one neighborhood to another, and if you are in one that gets busy, be especially considerate when taking candy. If the home owners direct you to only take one piece of candy, don't grab a handful. There are also times when people are not at home on Halloween night because they're at a party or taking their own children trick-or-treating, so they leave a bowl of candy on the porch. If that's the case, only take one piece of Halloween candy so there's enough for others.

6. Don't Show Up to a Neighborhood You Have No Connection to

Trick-or-treating participation is not the same in all neighborhoods. In some, people go all out with elaborate Halloween decorations and trick-or-treating is a big annual event. In other areas, there isn't a big population of kids and not as many homes hand out candy. If your neighborhood falls into the second category and your kids really want to go door-to-door in their costumes, you can always take them to a different area. While that's ok to do, there are some unspoken etiquette rules to follow. Instead of dropping kids off in a neighborhood they have no connection to, take them trick-or-treating where you know someone—perhaps a friend or grandparents. Not only is it safer, but it's more courteous to the residents of the neighborhood.

7. Show Gratitude

Being polite goes a long way on trick-or-treating night. In addition to being considerate of others and not grabbing handfuls of candy, it's important to show gratitude to those handing out treats. If you're handed a piece of candy or are complemented on your Halloween costume, make sure to say thank you. This simple act of kindness helps spread the Halloween spirit to all the little goblins and ghosts.