My mom started studying with JWs when I was about 5, so I don't remember doing the Halloween Trick-or-Treat. My older sisters though, I'm sure that they had a few Halloween memories.
Growing up, on Halloween day, we would sit at home, in the dark, no TV. If we tried watching TV, the little kiddos would see a glow from our TV and come up the sidewalk and knock on the door. I remember being afraid of them for some reason, and yet at the same time, wanting to dress up in a costume or something. Free candy. Yeah... as a kiddo, that was appealing, too.
If Halloween happened on a 'meeting night', we would attend the meeting. Way back when, they used to hold meetings on Tuesday evenings, in the homes of individuals who volunteered the use of their homes. There would be groups of around 10 to 25 people all sitting in the living room with our books. Reading questions, and giving answers from neatly underlined (or highlighted) paragraphs. On Halloween nights, this would not change, other than occassionally there would be a knock at the door followed by a yelled "Trick or Treat!!!". Someone would go to the door and kindly inform the kiddos that we weren't doing Trick or Treat. I'm not sure if any cars got egged or damaged. I don't think so.
If the meeting happened to be at the KH, there would still be kiddos, and usually some 'attendant' would go to the door ant quietly talk to the kiddos.
Musta been a drag being a kiddo and not getting candy from the JW Scrooges on that night. But, for every rejection, there were 10 to 20 other doors that they scored lots of candy.
I remember one time as an adult, I was living in an apartment complex. It was Halloween, and I was at home watching my small 9-inch black and white TV. I had the curtains closed, and thought that I would be okay sitting there in the darkness hiding, as I watched my TV. Well, there was a doorbel ring followed by "Trick or Treat!!" I paniced. I turned off the TV and tried to be really quiet. I heard the teenaged kiddo outside saying, "Oh sure! Turn off the lights!" A few minutes later, they left. I remember feeling silly sitting there, trying to hide from... what? Kiddos out door knocking.
After I got divorced from my JW-wifey, I was able to consider celebrating holidays. Halloween was the first one that some friends helped me with. They invited me over to their home where they were going to give out candy. Their own kids went 'round the block, knocking on doors and getting all the candy their bags would hold. I actually relaxed and enjoyed that time spent with them, and the gal I was dating at the time. I didn't have any costume to wear, my girlfriend wore a beautiful feathered mask and long gown. I mainly enjoyed watching the kiddos come up dressed in costumes and yelling "Trick or Treat!!", after which we would hand them candy, and compliment them on their costumes. (Some kiddos really get into it with make-up and everything).
This last Halloween, I got my wife a 'Super Hero' costume, complete with mask. We had already gotten her the 6-inch high-heeled boots that came up over her knees. I also got her some black fishnet hose and a blonde wig. (Well, silver hair, really) She was all dressed up in it, nd really looked cool! Me? I had one or two masks that I wore, but those get hot really fast, and so I really wasn't dressed up in any costume. We set up a table and chairs outside in the drive where we sat most of the evening. I just enjoyed seeing all of the kiddos come up in their costumes, as we handed out candy and glow sticks. Kiddos really like those, as they can be seen at night.
I apologize if this went off-topic a bit.
Regards,
Jim TX
