Arguably, one of the best parts of Halloween is trick-or-treating. The thrill of roaming around your neighborhood and spotting other costumes is an unmatched feeling, and there’s nothing like a basket full of sweet treats. But for some, the scariest part of the holidays is knocking on a stranger’s door, especially if you don’t live in a traditional, suburban neighborhood.

In the suburbs, it’s easier to plan a route for Halloween evening that’s well-lit, plus any prior interactions with your neighbors are an extra layer of safety and security. In major cities like New York City or Washington, D.C., you may find yourself wondering where everyone is trick-or-treating. Don’t worry—you’re not the only one asking this question. Folks are still donning their silliest costumes, but they’re doing it from inside their apartment buildings.

Instead of trick-or-treating this year, I’m throwing a Halloween party, but I quickly noticed that it’s possible to make a child’s night with the right neighbors and a few bags of candy. With these three tips and a quick trip to the grocery store, you’ll be trick-or-treating in no time.

Talk to Your Neighbors

This sounds simple, but reaching out to your neighbors and learning about their Halloween traditions is the first step to planning your night. If you’ve formed a tenants’ union or similar coalition with the other residents, this is the perfect time to reach out to everyone in your building.

Whether you have ten neighbors or more than 20, it’s worth communicating with each floor to distribute candy and snacks evenly. This will balance the number of chocolate bars, fruit snacks, and candied apples given out on Halloween night, and you’ll weed out any uninterested residents.

Nervous to speak to all of your neighbors? Keep your eyes out for anyone who has decorated their doorway or placed pumpkins near their welcome mat because they’re more than likely interested in participating. And don’t be afraid to post a flyer in the mail room in your building with your contact information.

Form a Route

If you’re trick-or-treating inside your apartment building, it’s best to inform all tenants about your Halloween plans, regardless of their involvement.

Before Halloween night, leave a note on their door about your interest in trick-or-treating and invite them to partake in the spooky festivities. Depending on the number of participants, start at the top floor, work your way down the stairs or elevators for convenience, and add arrows on the floor or walls to display the ideal path.

This is also an opportunity to use hallways, communal lounge spaces, staircases, and elevators to your advantage for decorations and candy baskets. For example, if your building has a shared space for its residents, contact your property manager about using it as a family-friendly space for coloring and pumpkin carving.

Prepare for Showtime

Allow yourself time to prepare for Halloween night by wrapping snacks in grab-and-go bags or placing a handful of candy in a basket. Once you’re completely stocked up on sweets, check in with your neighbors to see if they’re ready. Be sure to identify any necessary information for trick-or-treaters, like food allergies or notice of pets. Decorate your doorway with faux cobwebs to signal that your home is ready for the night’s festivities, and don’t be afraid to be silly. Happy Halloween!