Why You Should Never Give Trick-Or-Treaters Homemade Treats

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While you may have good intentions in giving out your own baked goods instead of the usual fun-sized Twix bars, it's recommended that you keep your homemade brownies and cookies to yourself. According to The Kitchn, handing out your own treats instead of the usual bagged candy is cautioned against — not because you're a bad cook — but because of a rule about unwrapped candies. As Patch explains, unwrapped or homemade goods from a complete stranger may carry a risk of tampering or hidden ingredients.

Although some might consider the fear of neighbors sabotaging homemade treats a product of social media conspiracy theories, there's evidence that this fear stems back decades. In 1970, the New York Times published an article detailing the dangers of homemade treats, describing reports of "trick-or-treat apples" laced with sewing needles or razor blades. Psychiatrists at the time believed that such behavior was influenced by seeing "criminals and campus riots," warning parents to stick to their own neighborhoods just to be safe.

Of course, making baked goods for a friend's Halloween party is always seen as a welcome and delicious way to contribute, perhaps still be mindful of using allergy-friendly ingredients.