Three-quarters of Brits claim they 'love' spooky season, but half admit to hiding in the dark and watching TV in silence to avoid trick-or-treaters, according to a survey. A whopping 73% say they love the holiday, but 46% of Brits suffer from so-called 'doorstep dread' and pretend they're not in to avoid handing out sweets to costumed kids.
Stealth tactics on Halloween night
Sweet brand Bebeto surveyed the nation and discovered that 53% admit to adopting 'stealth tactics' on October 31. More than a quarter (29%) leave sweets outside, 27% pretend not to be home and 26% turn off their lights and sit in the dark.
Repeated knocking and distress caused to pets are also among the UK's leading Halloween frustrations. Londoners feel the pressure to take part and dish out sweets (48%) as does Leeds (46%) compared to 35% nationally.
Plymouth crowned avoidance capital
Plymouth was crowned Britain's Halloween avoidance capital, with 29% of residents saying they dislike or avoid the occasion. Almost half (48%) switch off their lights to make it appear that nobody is home, with similar 'blackout' tactics seen in Bristol (43%) and Brighton (40%).
Of those quizzed, 79% said trick-or-treating is common in the local area, and in a bid to keep the peace between trick-or-treaters and home owners, Bebeto has launched the Scrooge Sweetener. It features a playful Halloween 'stop' sign with an integrated self-serve sweet bucket.
Self-serve solution launched
Households can fill it with Bebeto Halloween treats, including the brand's new gummies Boo Crew Foamies, and leave it outside for trick-or-treaters while enjoying an uninterrupted evening indoors.
The launch comes as 84% believe trick-or-treaters, or their parents, would use a self-serve station respectfully. Of those surveyed, three-fifths (59%) say a front-door sign with a built-in sweet bucket would offer relief from unwanted knocking.
London-based Ian Prosser is just one of the Brits that suffer from Halloween doorstep dread. He said: "I've tried sitting in the back room with the TV volume turned down in the dark to make the house look empty.
"It was complete misery. Not only did I spend my 60th birthday hiding away, but children were still ringing the bell and banging on the door regardless.
"You feel like a hostage in your own home. Halloween is my birthday, so I'd rather not be answering the door every few minutes. The Scrooge Sweetener is the perfect compromise. Local kids can enjoy Bebeto sweets, while I can celebrate in peace. No knocks, just treats."
Phil Hulme, commercial director for Bebeto UK, said: "Trick-or-treating is a much-loved Halloween tradition, but repeated doorstep knocks can take the fun out of it for some households.
"The Scrooge Sweetener is our playful answer. It's a simple way to keep treats flowing for communities across the UK while allowing people to enjoy Halloween on their own terms."
To explore Bebeto's Halloween range and claim a Bebeto Scrooge Sweetener, visit www.bebeto.co.uk/pages/halloween.
