Trick or treat! Ready to hear those three words this Halloween night? You may be ready to welcome trick or treaters to your door, but is your home ready? Let’s be honest—walking the neighborhood to go trick-or-treating is not as popular as it used to be. More communities are now hosting group trick-or-treats in their downtown areas or at local churches, for example. However, if you are determined to keep door-to-door trick-or-treating alive in your neighborhood, the way you prepare your house for the holiday can make a difference. Welcoming trick-or-treaters to your home is all in the aesthetic of your walkway, lawn, front porch and front door!
Get ready for Halloween 2017 by welcoming trick-or-treaters to your home with these tips.
- Start decorating early. Halloween is two days away, but you can keep this tip in mind for next year. The longer neighbors have to see your Halloween decorations are up, the more it will remind them to stop by your house this Halloween! Don’t think you have to start carving pumpkins and setting up skeletons in September, but a few solid weeks of Halloween decorations throughout the month of October can help.
- Optimize lighting. Lighting is one of the most important strategies for welcoming trick-or-treaters to your home. Even if you have no decorations up, a porch light is in indicator that you are receptive of trick-or-treaters. However, you’ll want to give your trick-or-treaters a festive experience, so get creative! Employ black lights, string lights, jack-o-lanterns and more to illuminate your doorway and walkways. Not only for visual appeal, but for safety, you should make sure any paths to and from your door are well-lit.
- Clean-up your yard. Trick-or-treaters will be less likely to want to approach your home if the yard is messy. Cut the grass, clear overgrowth and make sure any debris is removed from the pathway leading up to your home. Again, this does not only have to do with looks, but with the safety of your trick-or-treaters who could otherwise trip and fall over a stray children’s toy or limb on the ground.
- Hang a festive welcome sign. Sometimes the best way for welcoming trick-or-treaters to your home is just to flat out say, “Welcome!” Hanging a “Welcome Trick-or-Treaters” sign on your front door is a sure sign that you’ve got candy to share. Look for free printable signs online, or get creative and make your own!
- Dress up. Join in the fun and let your own costume be part of the trick-or-treating experience. Trick-or-treaters will know you’re supportive of their candy-collecting cause if you show your spirit by dressing up as well.
- Keep your dog inside. We know you love your dog, but not everyone else does. In fact, many children are afraid of dogs and will not approach a home where they can see or hear one barking. During the couple hours of trick-or-treating time in your neighborhood, it might be best to keep your pooch in the backyard or in a room where he or she will not be rushing the door every time the doorbell rings.
- Don’t make your home too scary. Sure, Halloween is all about spooks and thrills, but don’t go TOO scary with the decorations. It is likely that the majority of your trick-or-treaters will be young children, and some of the more gory or extreme decorations may deter them from coming to your door altogether—or sway them to never want to come back.
The goal in welcoming trick-or-treaters to your home is to make their Halloween experience a fun and pleasant one. An inviting home will keep your trick-or-treating guests happy!
For more home tips, continue to follow the Ryan Roberts Realtor blog! And for your real estate needs in the Auburn, Opelika and Lake Martin areas, contact Ryan Roberts today at 334-750-9872 or email [email protected].
