Most neighbors give out candy or fruit on Halloween, but some people take the “trick” part seriously and offer unusual items instead. A recent online discussion asked people to share the strangest things they received while trick-or-treating, highlighting just how unpredictable some households can be. Some children were fortunate to receive cash, fresh apples, or Beanie Babies, while others ended up with toothbrushes, mini Bibles, and even, in one odd case, a bag of hair. Here are some of the more surprising and questionable items people reported.
One person shared that a woman who ran out of candy offered a tote overflowing with Beanie Babies, letting kids pick what they wanted. Another recalled getting a roll of nickels wrapped in cellophane from a generous neighbor, which made a big impression in the 1960s. Some houses handed out mini Bibles, apples, and toothbrushes, actions that led to some neighborhood kids retaliating with egging. A parent mentioned that their child received “Scentsy” wax melts along with a business card from a lady for several years.
This year, British spending for Halloween is expected to reach around $940 million, while Americans have a much larger budget of about $13.5 billion, according to estimates from the National Retail Federation. A recent survey indicated that about 74% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween, with children’s costumes alone expected to generate $1.5 billion in sales. Over 4.6 million kids are likely to dress as Spider-Man, while another 2.3 million will choose other superhero costumes.
In the 1990s, one person remembered receiving several toothbrushes and mini Bibles, as well as a photo taken by a neighbor the year before. This neighbor would take pictures of the children and display them on a bulletin board. Another account mentioned someone offering a choice between a handful of candy and a potato, with surprising numbers of kids opting for the potato.
Some people received religious materials, like pamphlets stating Halloween was bad, leaving one individual puzzled about why they would hand out anything if they felt that way. Additionally, one individual admitted to enjoying raisins, which they also received.
Halloween has its origins in an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain, which celebrated the New Year on November 1. People thought that on the night before, the line between the living and the dead became blurred, allowing spirits and other supernatural beings to roam the earth. To deal with these spirits, early Europeans created customs that are the basis for modern trick-or-treating. According to Victoria Millar, a curator at the Ulster Folk Museum, people wore masks, lit fires, and shared stories about ghosts and fairies to entertain and protect their households.
An older couple in one neighborhood gave each child a penny, which once had value, though it was less significant when another person shared their experience. Lastly, a new family in the area had a young girl who excitedly ran to the kitchen to bring back sandwich cookies for trick-or-treaters.
What unusual items have you or someone you know received while trick-or-treating?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Indrė Lukošiūtė