Halloween is the one time we do the unthinkable - we knock on a neighbour’s door unannounced

Some people may turn off the lights and pretend not to be home, but most will greet the kids with a smile and a few sweets

It is amazing how even the most dour of neighbours can turn out a spooktacular effort this time of year.

It is that time of year again when the boundary between the living and the dead is porous, and we are nearly dead from having eaten our weight in mini Mars bars. So far, I’ve gone through an innumerable amount of jellies, promising myself they are for trick-or-treaters while dipping into them before I’ve even exited the supermarket car park. I’m fairly sure at this point, my bloodstream is composed of 80% Haribo.

My friend group is split on Halloween parenting. While some people are going full Rocky Horror Show, others are denouncing it as ‘just another thing to do’. Undoubtedly, the expectations around Halloween are higher for parents than ever, but it’s still my preferred festival to its December counterpart. It’s more craic, less food shopping, and certainly less pressure.