If You Put Out a Welcome Sign in Front of Your House..........

Well, I have a 'welcome' mat since they were fresh out of 'go away.' :)

You should probably warn the neighbors, though. At the very least people will be aware of why everyone is running around the neigborhood.

I think it is just for invited guests.

Also - My neighbor did this one time for a party and she assumed that all the neighbors were fine with. I was not!! I have a loud dog and didn't appreciate the dog barking and the baby was napping at the time. I finally put a note on my door that said we were not participating in the hunt and to please not ring my door bell. My neighbor never thought I would care - but I did.

I would definately warn the neighbors. I believe if your mat says "welcome" its to welcome the guests you have invited over, not every crazy person that wants to knock on the door! I work from home so I'm here all day and NEVER answer the door, even in the evening, unless I'm expecting someone. Good luck!

The welcome mat is a gesture meant for invited guests, as is any flag or sign bearing the same.

Perhaps, instead of 'warning' the neighbors that oodles of kids are going to be showing up on their doorstep, what about asking if this would work for them? The reason I say this is that I have at least three neighbors for whom even answering the door is 'work'; one is having mobility issues, one is grieving a death and one has a newborn. I can say with certainty that NONE of them would appreciate a gaggle of kids on their porch at this point in their lives.

Our neighbour did this, and a few days before the party she sent us all a letter explaining when the party was, and what would be happening. In the envelope she included a little laminated brightly-coloured notice to display saying 'no scavengers' in case we did not want to participate. It was all very friendly and polite, and in the end no-one actually put the notice out.

All of her neighbours appreciated her thoughtfulness, and the children had a great time!

If you are doing a scavenger hunt, you should definitely warn the neighbor's.

Welcome mats are not a license to go up to a door or even in a yard. By "coming to" the houses, are the kids going to be knocking on doors? Then definitely ASK, not "pre-warn," the neighbors. Pre-warn makes it sound as if this is going to take place whether they say yes or not, and I'm sure that can't be what you mean. And make sure it's neighbors you actually know. In fact, even if it's not knocking on doors but just the kids walking through a yard, I would still ask first. To be honest, while it sounds like a nice enough idea, do consider the reasons someone might not want children knocking on the door or even going through the yard: Someone in the house is elderly and doesn't understand what's going on so it would confuse that person; someone in the house is sick; they will be in the middle of their own holiday party at that time; they have dogs who might bark at a minimum, or worse; they might be hugely yard-proud and just not want anyone walking on their lawn; they might even be afraid the kids would accidentally damage stuff including holiday decorations.

You can have a neighborhood scavenger hunt by sticking to areas that are public -- are there parks near you, etc. where you can put some of these notes or items?

PLEASE ask your neighbors first (you probably should also supply the scavenger items--I'd be willing to participate, but annoyed if I had to go dig out my stash of rubberbands-or whatever-for a bunch of kids)!! This sounds like a really cute idea--especially if you're close (or at least friendly) with most of your neighbors! The welcome mat doesn't necessarily mean "Hi, and welcome! Come on in!" For some, it's just a place to wipe your dirty shoes!

Oh please warn the neighbors - in fact, maybe give them the items that are part of the scavenger hunt and ask them to stash them for you. I love my neighborhood but would not want to have a weekend afternoon interrupted by sudden, unexpected visitors scavenging for things.

I don't know that a Welcome mat necessarily means anything other than the homeowner would like you to wipe your feet before coming in! As for the scavenger hunt, I wouldn't worry about advance notice to the neighbors. If they want to answer the door and participate they can. If not, they won't open the door or if they do, they'll just say they don't have any of the stuff. Just try to make sure that all the kids/groups don't go to the same house. When I did mine, I had one group of kids go one direction and the other group go another so that they weren't hitting up the same houses time after time. The kids really love a scavenger hunt, by the way. You'll have a great time!

Have to say after looking at some of the responses that I'm amazed at how many people would be unhappy about having the kids come to their house! Glad you don't live in my neighborhood. I love it when the kids come to my house (it's happened twice) and I do take the time to try to find items for them. I think it's fun and I know I'm helping the kids to have fun. I've even given items and asked that they be returned and they were! Lighten up, and have some fun with the neighborhood kids! By the way, it's not so much fun when the neighbors have been given a list in advance as to what will be asked for.

Actually my "welcome" mat says "Leave". I got it at Bed Bath &d Beyond for $25.00 and I LOVE it.

I LOVE trick or treaters. I LOVE "May Day" (cuz I'm old and I remember this tradition). I LOVE block parties. Other than that, I am in the middle of doing something and if for an unknown block of time on an unknown day, unannounced (or TOLD it was going to happen) kids randomly rang my door bell and asked if I had random items they needed for a game, I would consider that a HUGE inconvenience. I (generally) like kids. But this would not be welcome and I would consider it to be highly disrespectful. Lots of times at home I am working or doing housework or spending time with my daughter.

I suggest you contact your neighbors and ask if they are willing to participate and then BUY them a special marker for their yard so your kids know which houses are fair game and so your neighbors will have something nice for their yard in exchange for their participation in your game.

I think people put welcome mats out as a gesture or home decor. I think in this day and age the number of people in the US who would welcome a group of kids coming to rifle through their stuff is few and far between.

I would still stop what I was doing and answer the door, because I figure if someone goes to a strangers door in this day and age they may need help. So, if I was home I would answer the door.

I think the welcome signs are for invited guests not drop in scavengers.

Maybe you should ask the neighbors who want to participate to post signs outside. You should make the signs. Let the kids know to leave people alone who don't have signs.

I'm not sure what your plan is, are you just telling your neighbors that kids will be annoying them between these hours so they can leave to not be a part of this? I would be very annoyed if kids kept ringing my doorbell asking for things. Well unless I was having a lazy weekend but I already had one this year.

If this is the case you may just want to ask if they want to be a part and not tell them this is what is going to happen. Well unless you know your neighbors really well.

I'm also a little sad by some of the responses here. Oh well! I LOVE scavenger hunts!! Some of my most remembered and fun parties of my childhood included scavenger hunts. And let me tell you, we didn't have any neighbors that refused to help. That's why the 70s and 80s rocked!

Now, I don't have a welcome mat per se, but I do have a cute "No Solicitors" sign on the door -- because we're bombarded w/ sales people in our area. But cute kids? Yes, please do knock!

IMO, it's just a nice gesture (not jester, like in midieval times, haha). I personally don't change my front door mat with my mood & sometimes I am happy for visitors, but sometimes I'm just not.

Hmmm I feel sad after reading so many of these answers. I participated in scavenger hunts as a child and young adult. For one of my daughter's birthdays we did a scavenger hunt. Lots of fun. And no one complained.

It's all about being a part of a neighborhood. I'm reminded of the question about kids being able to just go out and play without formal arrangements. Are we becoming too isolated in our own homes? I suggest that as a society we've become so concerned about not offending anyone that we're taking the joy out of life. We say we honor diversity but in reality we're creating a homogenous society. Don't inconvenience your neighbor. Stay isolated in your own home.

Where has the sense of community gone?

We've had groups of kids on scavenger hunts come to our house It's not a problem for me, I think it's fun. You wouldn't have to warn me ahead of time, in fact, I'd rather not be bothered with the warning, just send the kids over.

Just decor i would think. But, if you asked me as your neighbor i would participate. I think it sounds like a lot of fun. One downfall though is people are out shopping this time of year.

Hmm...My "welcome" sign says "Welcome friends and family"...so NOPE I am not very welcoming to the people that aren't friends and family! lol
Although I would never be rude to my neighbors either. It's the folks that are trying to sell me something or convert me....sigh.
I would probably let your neighbors know that a scavenger hunt is going to be happening so they are prepared for kids knocking on their door.
L.

I don't have a welcome mat , but that doesn't mean people are not welcome in my home :) I just found a mat that I really liked , so I have that outside my door. Even if I had a welcome mat, it wouldn't mean I am welcoming strangers in my house anytime of the day or night. lol. Please check with all your neighbours first. Don't leave out the ones who don't have a welcome mat , not everyone would have put so much thought on a mat :) I would have loved to take part in the hunt if I were your neighbour - but it would depend on if we were home. And it would also be helpful if you let them know what item they will be looking for, so they can keep it ready or you can buy it and give it to them. Have fun!

Just decor. I don't really mean it, unless of course I have given you an invitation :)

I think the scavenger hunt is a fun idea, and I personally would try to help if someone showed up at my door, but I think a little warnign woudl be appreciated by most people.