I see that Ecops have suggested that you display a "no trick or treaters" poster if you don't want to take part in Halloween. Requiring people to opt out rather than opt in strikes me as being rather foolish, not to mention unnecessary. Over the past three years I've found that when the hall light is on and the Halloween decorations are showing I've had wonderfully polite visitors in marvellous costumers crying "Happy Halloween!" and taking one piece of chocolate each. Surely the onus should be on the trick or treaters to go to the homes of people they know or those who are obviously participating? I would be perfectly happy to display a "Trick or treaters welcome" poster (although the flashing pumpkin on the door usually does the trick). If the whole of the USA can manage to work on the idea that decorated houses with porch light on means trick or treaters welcome you'd think that the UK could just about manage to pick it up. Liz