New outlaws have...

joined us in our six year family tradition of reverse trick-or-treating. We call it Ghosting, others call it Booing. Call it what you want, we call it-- good clean fun!

In early October the boys remind me that we need to go to the store and buy plastic pumpkin buckets and candy. We place a handful of candy in the bottom of the bucket, along with a poem and a picture of a Ghost. (See bottom of post for poem & Ghost graphic.)

The boys pick who they want to ghost. Then we case the house, usually in the daylight if we aren't extremely familiar with it. Then we case it again at night. Next we make a plan of where the get away car will be waiting, and how to go about getting the homeowners attention (usually a loud knock or ring of the door bell). Of course the best is when you can hang out and watch the owners response without being noticed.

Last night two boys from church were with us to enjoy the fun. They were SO excited and enjoyed it as much as we did. After all these years I still get excited. It's a thrill to leave a treat on someone doorstep without being caught. I enjoyed training the new greenhorns.
We were able to pull three off successfully last night. We even got to see the owners responses without being detected. A fourth we weren't careful enough. Ah well! It's all part of the game.

I know the time we were Ghosted I wasn't sure if I could trust the candy. The poem seemed innocent enough, but WHAT if the candy was from some crazy? My husband assured me he saw who did it, so we could trust the candy. If you were one of the ones we ghosted last night, the candy IS safe! Except maybe that piece we all licked, rewrapped, and place in your bucket...hee, hee, hee! BOO!!!

HERE'S THE POEM:

Late last night, we left you a treat.
The tradition is fun, one we hope you'll repeat.

Take the ghost and pin it on your door,
to let others know, you need ghosted no more.

Now it's your duty to pass on the surprise,
to two more families, we must advise.

Gather some treats and deliver them soon,
within two nights, under the light of the moon.

Include a ghost with each package you give,
along with this poem for the tradition to live.