Between Naps on the Porch: Boo and Brew...Does Your Neighborhood Do This?

Oct 30, 2010

Boo and Brew...Does Your Neighborhood Do This?

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Boo and Brew:
A few days ago I found this flyer in my mailbox. It was almost completely illegible. Unfortunately, the mailman left the door of my mailbox slightly open and we had a monsoon that day. I could tell it was announcing something in my neighborhood for Halloween night...and it mentions leaving your porch light on.

I e-mailed a neighbor and ask if she got one and if so, what did it say? She told me the flyer says in addition to giving out candy on Halloween night, if you leave your porch light on, it will signal to the parents that you will be serving them a brew...i.e. an "adult beverage" when they stop by with the children for Trick or Treating. Interesting, huh?

So...just wondering, has your neighborhood ever done this and if so, how does it work? Do you serve wine or a spiked punch, perhaps? Do you have it already poured in little plastic glasses or do the parents already have a glass with them?

So many questions...and no answers from a very blurry flyer.

Labels: Halloween, Party Planning

57 Comments:

At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Sandy said...: I've never heard of that practice before. At least not in any neighborhood I've lived in...either in the Mid-west or here in SE PA. Many parents come with their little ones in our neighborhood so it would be a nice treat for them. I had a co-worker many years ago that would fix up her garage lining the walls with black plastic to serve her candy there. Her garage faced the street. If you participate let us know how it turns out.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Debbie said...: Our neighbhorhood becomes a madhouse of cars and kids running around. They bring kids from all over the rural area to our subdivision because it's the first one you see on the edge of town. It's crazy. I'm just wondering what adding parents who have been brewing from house to house would do to the mix. Yikes.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...: Won't you have your porch light on for the kids? What if you are not offering an adult beverage, do you keep yor lights out and then it's dark when the kids walk up to your door? I think another "signal" would be better. Do parents really need an adult beverage to get through the trick or treating time with their kids?
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Becky said...: This is interesting and sounds like fun! Wish I knew about it back when my kids were little and we took them trick-or-treating! :)
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Susan McClaskey said...: Sounds like a fun idea and a great way to have a quick easy visit with neighbors. The closest we've come to something like this is when our house was included in the neighborhood garden tour. It was a hot day and I served iced chai tea on the front porch, chatted a bit and then directed visitors to the back where the tour was going on. I had the tea already made up and poured it into clear plastic cups as needed. I think wine would be nice in your situation. If you participate, be sure to have something to collect those used cups as people finish. Have fun!
Susan
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Lori said...: I read in another blog someone would have wine available for adults in sippy cups? I don't mind, but I bet some folks would disagree. Candy and kids would be the tradition I like best.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Paula@SweetPea said...: Boo and Brew! That's ingenious! Our neighborhood doesn't have a lot of kids, so no we don't do it, but I do like the idea.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Patricia said...: Wow ! I wanna trick or treat in your neighborhood ! Sounds like fun....I've never heard of that - but it's a great idea !
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , ChRiS said...: something new to me years ago when we had alot children come to trick or treat if it was a very cold night i would offer the adults coffee to go or to come in home to warm up some
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Mary said...: No our neighborhood does not do this but, it sounds like a wild time! I would have a ton of questions too! I wonder if the parents bring little coolers instead of a treat bag?!

On a side note, the previous owners of my house used open the garage door and had a little bar set up for the parents to stop by on Halloween for a drink to go. We had LOTS of neighbors to ask if WE were going to keep that Halloween tradition! LOL

Mary
From Virginia
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...: Susan,
Never heard of this. Probably not a good idea, as in a small town most parents are driving their kids around and they are running all over. Yikes!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Samantha said...: With the number of kids and houses in my neighborhood (we used three of those giant bags from Costco last year and still ran out!) the parents would be drunk quick!

Let us know how it turns out!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Nanci said...: Don't you think that sort of adds an odd flavor (no pun intended) to Halloween? What if you unintentionally gave alcohol to a recovering alcoholic? I don't know, even though I do imbibe, I find this very weird on many levels. I say if the parents want a drinky-poo they provide their own in an insulated tumbler and trick or treat up a storm with the kiddos. Do let us know how it goes.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Miss Char said...: When our children were little and we lived in a very small neighborhood the dad's did this. It was the dad's responsibility to take the kids out T or T and they were known to have a brew or two on the way. I can't imagine in the size neighborhood that we live in now of that happening, the parents would be toasted before they got to the end of the first street.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , The Country Nest said...: Susan,
We used to do it years ago when my children were little. They are 37 and 34 now....where do the years go? Anyway, back then Moms stayed home and handed out candy and the Dad's used to take the kids out. For us it was pretty easy because the Dad's were happy with beers so we could hand them out with ease. There was a house with an older couple who decorated their garage for halloween and had a table set up with donuts and warm apple cider. It used to be quite cold here back then (it has been quite warm here in the last years 40-50 degrees) and this was a welcome stop. I always lit the fireplace on Halloween night for the kids when they came back in. We would carve out the pumpkins right after school and I would roast the pumpkin seeds. Sad to see traditions pass....by now we are the old couple on the block!
Happy Halloween.
Hugs,
Donna
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Marian said...: I have never heard of this and in New Orleans, we always look for new and creative ways to drink. I did get a flyer saying Halloween was happening on Saturday because the Saints are playing on Sunday. They will block off the street for a party, but I'm still on the hook Sunday for kids who don't get the memo one street over.
So you leave the porch light off if you don't have a beer for the parents? Isn't that a traditional signal you don't have candy? Whaa?
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Anonymous said...: I thought leaving the light on signified that you were home and giving out candy. Setting aside the issue of giving away beer or wine to strangers, you never know how many kids you will get from year to year. It's one thing to have five bags of candy left at the end of the night, but it would get really expensive to have a case or two of beer as well...not to mention that some years there seem to be a lot of "neighbors" that you've never seen before.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Anonymous said...: I have never heard of this idea. In my own opinion I disagree with the idea. I thought Halloween trick or treating was for the children. I think you are just asking for trouble if you include this.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Slice of Pie said...: I think it is a great idea ... and our neighborhood doesn't do it, but we always have hot cider going. In fact, we used to make chili in the driveway and feed the neighborhood (and the Police Department's Pumpkin Patrol) ... but the size of the crowd grew to an unreasonable 400 kids ... so we stopped makiing chili! We have had as many as 700 kids ... prepared for 300 this year! In our town ... the porch light on ... means we are giving treats!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Anonymous said...: We kind of did this in our old neighborhood. We would give the dads a beer - but only those that we knew...most traveled in a pack with the kids wagon holding a cooler anyways!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Angela said...: Our house gets more haunted with each passing year and now my kids 11, 11, & 13 would rather stay home and help Dad scare than T or T. It's so haunted, in fact, that some kids don't make it to the candy table where the witch (me) is handing out the candy. So, for those who do, the treats are a little more substantial. It's become quite an attraction and takes the kids longer than normal to a) decide if they're going to the front porch, and b) get there. So for the parents watching the excitement, we provide an adult beverage only to those we know and only to those who are walking the neighborhood with their children. It's a relatively small neighborhood in a relatively small town so it's easy to know who's walking with their children and who isn't. And, I'm pretty sure we're the only home in the 'hood providing one can of beer so I'm cetain no one is getting drunk. If it turned into a more than that, we would quit because I agree; it's for the kids. Also, our town leaves the light on to signal T or T'ers are welcome. If the lights were not on, it would signal the occupants were not participating. Have scary fun and be safe no matter what you decide to do. muaaaaahahahahahahah!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Julie said...: I've never heard of such a thing but if I lived in a neighborhood that did something like this I would offer hot cider, hot chocolate or coffee with a flavored creamer or two. The idea of "adult drinks" and all those kids would make me very uneasy and talk about expensive!!! I wouldn't want that responsiblitly weighing on me. Just my 2 cents ;-)
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Anonymous said...: We just moved from the BIG city to a very small town. I had never heard of such a thing until a few weeks ago. It seems Boo and Brew is ALL the rage here. Which is quite surprising considering this is a rather upscale neighborhood. I am now stocked up on candy and booze;) I will also have plastic cups to hand out if the adults don't have one with them. From what I understand the dads stay home and pass out candy and the moms take the kids...guessing they pass out when they get home! I will let you know how it turns out. I am visualizing a "frat party"! Yes, I am afraid...VERY afraid!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Kathleen Grace said...: This sounds like the worst idea ever! The last thing the kids need is a bunch of inebraited parents escorting them through the nighborhood!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Anonymous said...: I think that's pretty much the stupidest idea I've ever heard of. Halloween is about your kids and trick-or-treating, it's not about the adults. As one previous commenter said, do they really need an adult beverage to get through trick-or-treating with their kids? And the idea of people going door to door and getting their fix and then putting their kids in the car and DRIVING somewhere!!? Ridiculous.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Ann said...: I've never heard or seen of this idea. My thoughts on this:
I already leave my porch light on for the trick or treaters, this has always been a signal that yes we participate in passing out candy, not alcohol.
Let us all know how it turns out.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , JC said...: How big is your neighborhood ? I live in a 30 house area so if they did a flyer about doing this it would be ok but if you're in a big area I'm not sure I'd do it. You could always have a smokey punch / harvest drink for the parents if you want.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...: I find this odd as I thought the porch light signaled candy. There are too many teens out there that look like adults which might be tricky. Let us know how it goes!

This is our first Halloween here as we were out of town last year so I'm not sure what to expect for numbers. But in Marietta we would all sit out in our cul de sac and have a little drink to warm us up as we'd give out candy. The ones that walked with their kids would just bring some to go if they wanted.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , mrsben said...: As they say 'to each their own'. Personally though, I would be reluctant to encourage such a practise for the same reasons that some have already expressed not to mention the risk of a Law Suit if an adult chooses to over indulge and gets injured on your property. (I know I wouldn't want to be the last house visited as it might not turn out to be such a HAPPY Halloween. LOL!)
Enough said, Susan. :) -Brenda-
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Sylvia said...: I also think this is a terrible idea. Seriously stupid. It sounds like something a frat would do, not responsible parents.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Anonymous said...: I think adding alcohol to Halloween could be bad news. What with little kids in masks and flowing costumes and the excitement of the night - running about - sometimes forgetting where they are, do we need drunk parents watching them?

A very bad example to kids too - do we want them to start thinking of Halloween as a time to get soused when they are old enough? Will they think of ways to get around the age limit when they are teenagers? Like bringing younger siblings and pretending to be the parent - do you know each parent and can you identify if a tall teenager is of legal age? Do you card? Danger - Danger - Danger - and just plain dumb!! Plus against the law to give alcoholo to teens - and you could be easily fooled.

Not to mention the danger - of drunk adults getting killed in the street in front of the kids - or the whole bunch being run down by a drunk that is driving kids around and getting free drinks.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Anonymous said...: The phrase "candy is dandy but liquor is quicker" came to mind when I read this. Is trick-or-treating with your children such an onerous task that adults need to be "fortified" to do it?! And if word gets out about what beverages are being served, might that not draw people from outside the neighborhood? Where I live, there are people who drive their kids to the better neighborhoods because the "treats" are better there, so no guarantee these would be neighbors you know who might be visiting. Young looking parents may be of a legal age, but what if you have some teens pretending to be adults? Sounds like a crazy idea to me!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Unknown said...: I think parents walking children around for Halloween don't need to be drinking at that time....strange mix, don't you think????? Just my 2 cents worth....
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Lori E said...: Much as | love my wine and my margaritas I would have to say thumbs down to this.
Here if your light is on then you are welcoming trick or treaters. If it is off you are done.
Personally I wouldn't drink anything that came from someone I didn't know and wouldn't want my kids to learn that either.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Dana Rene' said...: Okay, I guess I'm out of it a bit, but my first thought about a "brew" was some kind of soup or stew that you could all kind of have a pot luck thing going. We live on a cul-de-sac and are somewhat isolated so we could contain it to our street and I think that would be a good way for the families to kick off the evening! Just a thought! :o)
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Linda @ A La Carte said...: Wow never heard of this and think it might be a bit dangerous. Drinking parents with Trick or Treaters. Nope, not a good idea. Now a party where they stay there is different. Let us know how this turns out.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Noemi from Bakersfield said...: Don't really think it's a good idea. Trick-or-Treating should be about the kids. Too many folks out there with alcohol issues-I wouldn't feel comfortable serving strangers alcohol from my home.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Evelyn said...: Hi Susan,
I never heard of this until 2 years ago when I went trick or treating with my daughter,her hubby and babies. We went across the street to the neighbors house (2 sweet, little old ladies in their 80's). They invited us in, gave candy to my grandson and offered us Jello shots!!!! We cracked up laughing! And then we had a Jello shot. It was fun and they were wonderful, hospitable people who had an entire sandwich buffet set up in their dining room for anyone who stopped at their house. I'll never forget them. They were adorable ladies. Of course, everything in moderation is the best way to go. :0)
Evelyn
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Pinky said...: Now that is an interesting concept! In the Fall I LOOOOVE to drink WARM Apple wine! It is made by the Chadds Ford winery and when it is warm it is heavenly (and light). Might be JUST the ticket! I agree though about the porch light being the clue, EVERYONE needs their porch light on........... I think another clue is in order. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Enjoy the little ones!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Rettabug said...: Yes, we've done "Trick or Drink" in the past...helps ward off the chill of an October night in Ohio! We usually carried a cup with a handle...gals liked wine but most of the men preferred a can of beer.

Hot apple cider in a big coffee urn would be perfect with some brandy or vodka on the side for those who would like to kick it up a notch! BAM!!! LOL

Come see Caroline's Ariel costume that I made for her & her AG doll:

/2010/10/halloween-preparations.html
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Lisa's Creative Home said...: Sounds like a fun way to meet and mingle with your neighbors. I'd think they'd be a bunch of drunken parents stumbling around by the end of the night looking for a bathroom! We just trick or treat in our neighborhood. Nothing unique.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Trese said...: I don't consider myself a prude, but this idea just seems wrong. The house light is on to let the kids know you're home and giving out treats. The flyer you received was not legible. I'd tell people you didn't understand the note if they request an adult beverage. That way you can learn what the heck this crazy tradition is all about. Personally, I think it's a shame that the parents have to get involved this way - Halloween is for the little ones. Anxious to find out how it went!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Unknown said...: Your porch light should be on anyway if you want trick or treaters. What kind of lesson is that teaching the kids? Being a middle school teacher and knowing all I know about kids and drinking, I think this is a terrible idea!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Kathleen said...: Never heard of it!
Don't like it at all.
Alcohol and watching kids don't mix!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Duchess of Lanier said...: We did this in our Roswell neighborhood. It wasn't official, just a tradition. We treated the adults with a can or bottle of beer.

Yes, someone served hot buttered rum and handed out the insulated cups. Anyway, we were in town, no one had to drive to trick or treat, and we were a young fun neighborhood, and we had hardly anyone come by who we didn't know.

Lots of moms gave out gift bags that were pretty outrageously nice; we gave out full size candy bars and felt cheap ;).

It was great fun, and some parents brought out their coolers on wheels or in wagons to drop off adult treats as they visited. We would have a world tour of beers at the end of the evening.

Great Fun!

We went to a gated neighborhood party this afternoon and one house had Pirate Punch set up streetside. Again, no one was driving. Everyone lives within walking distance.

Hope ya'll have fun with this and wish we lived in your neighborhood!

Happy Weekend!!!
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , CHERI said...: Seems like those folks are presuming a lot!!! What if I want to hand out candy but not drinks? Does this mean I can't leave my lights on? It might be nice to offer some Kool-Aid or something but children and alcohol don't mix in my book! Halloween is for the children and too much alcohol on someone's part could really cause big problems.
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Linda C said...: Let's see...kids and adults in the streets, darkness, costumes, driving, add alcohol to the mix? Doesn't sound cool to me.

However,coffee, hot cocoa, cider sounds great- and neighborly...:)
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...: Wow, this seems like a bad idea on so many levels... If it's a cold night, warm cider or hot chocolate would be a thoughtful gesture to parents AND kids if someone wanted to offer it, but encouraging alcohol in any amount while trick-or-treating gets a "no-go" from yours truly. My porch light turns on for candy! :-)
At Saturday, October 30, 2010 , Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...: I can't think of any worse idea than encouraging drinking during trick or treating! What message does this send to the children? Now you get candy but later you can drink? There are so many children walking in the dark, and parents should be alert and setting a good example! Can't any holiday be just about the children? Are these parents so self obsessed that they can't get pleasure from watching the delight of the children as they go from door to door? This is the worst and stupidest idea I have ever heard. If you want to meet the neighbors have a Christmas party or summer barbeque.
At Sunday, October 31, 2010 , Jemsmom said...: In my old neighborhood it was never an "official" thing, but the dad's took the kids trick or treating and we had a cooler full of beer. I would always offer if they were empty handed and I knew them! Now the grandparents hand out candy and we both go. I wouldn't mind being offered a little brew!
At Sunday, October 31, 2010 , Jemsmom said...: I think it is interesting that so many people seem to associate it with a frat party style drink-a-thon! The dads never drank to get drunk and it wasn't like they slammed one at every house! It was more of a beer or two as you strolled along. We never saw a parent that wasn't alert or on top of it! This has been an interesting topic!
At Sunday, October 31, 2010 , The Claunch Family said...: I think it sounds like a super fun idea. We live in a relatively small, yet very close neighborhood. I have already shared this idea with other neighbors and we all look forward to this new tradition!
At Sunday, October 31, 2010 , Anonymous said...: Oh my! oh my!! wish I was in your neighbourhood as well.. its wow! wow!! You are a true inspiration!
At Sunday, October 31, 2010 , Anonymous said...: Oh my! oh my!! wish I was in your neighbourhood as well.. its wow! wow!! You are a true inspiration!
At Sunday, October 31, 2010 , Anonymous said...: Oh my! oh my!! wish I was in your neighbourhood as well.. its wow! wow!! You are a true inspiration!
At Sunday, October 31, 2010 , Anonymous said...: And for God's sake - don't put that liquor in a sippy cup as someone suggested. Kids will often pick up any sippy and take a swig - you could kill someone. Really, when you think on it - a super stupid idea to mix Halloween and drinks - one or two drinks DOES affect any person's judgement - so there is no set limit that would allow anyone to still be on top of things. I hope no one gets killed in your neighborhood - there are laws that hold a person responsible if an accident or death occurs and they have provided the alcohol.
At Monday, November 01, 2010 , Unknown said...: I had always thought leaving the light on meant you were giving out candy. Now, I do however, have hot apple cider for the adults when they come up with the little ones. Anyone can have the apple cider and I do have some apple brandy if the adults would like some extra flavor! I have it in a 40-cup coffee pot and do supply the cups and a shot if interested. I have not had any issues and have been doing this for 3 years now. The adults love it!

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Oct 30, 2010

Boo and Brew...Does Your Neighborhood Do This?

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