Sign slams parents who bring kids to trick-or-treat from other suburbs

"Thank you for ruining Halloween for us and the children who ACTUALLY LIVE HERE!" the angry sign read. 

A sign criticising children and parents who trick-or-treat in suburbs that aren't their own has ignited a viral debate online. 

The sign was displayed outside someone's home, and bluntly declared that the homeowners will no longer be giving out lollies this year due to the fact that too many kids have infiltrated the suburb in previous years and "ruined" Halloween for locals. 

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Image: Facebook

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"GO AWAY"

The sign, which was shared on a Facebook page called Adventures of Couponista essentially declares Halloween is cancelled, at least for them. 

It read: "Due to the fact that people from other neighbourhoods truck their children into this neighbourhood by the dozens, this house will no longer be handing out lollies.

"Thank you for ruining Halloween for us and the children who actually live here. Thank you for understanding, now GO AWAY!"

Yikes, sounds like they're the Grinch of Halloween.

It's uncertain who the person is who wrote the sign, or how they can even identify which children are "outsiders" but we can only guess they profiled their appearances. 

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Commenters point out the many reasons why people might do this

Naturally, people were up in arms about the sign in the comments, and quickly pointed out many possible reasons why children may go to other suburbs to trick-or-treat. 

"What if the kids live in suburbs that are unsafe for them to trick-or-treat? Should Halloween be ruined for them too? I don't see any issues with handing out lollies to kids who live in other suburbs. If you have been blessed with a nice/safe suburb, please spread the love to the kids who don't and give them a nice Halloween. Spend the few extra dollars on lollies and have fun!" one comment read. 

Another mum shared, "Our suburb is hilly and it's a challenge to push our kids (one in a wheelchair, one in a stroller) here to go trick-or-treating. So we go to another suburb where it's flat and the houses are close together. Makes it more enjoyable for all of us."

Then this person said, "I live in a suburb where so many houses are under construction. We'll be going somewhere else. Who cares? Don't buy extra lollies, if you run out, you run out. Buncha Halloween Scooge's."

"We lived in a Halloween-unfriendly neighbourhood and had to take it on the road to other neighbourhoods so my kids could trick-or-treat. I was grateful for the generosity of strangers who opened their doors," wrote another mum.

Someone else shared, "We got 1500 trick-or-treaters in one night last year. We call the cost of lollies our 'street tax' for living in such a great spot where everyone wants to go. If you don't want to participate or can't afford to, just keep your lights off."

Originally published as Sign slams parents who bring kids to trick-or-treat from other suburbs