Dear Ms Manners:
What is the proper etiquette when carolers come to your door?
Signed,
Don’t Know What To Do When Carolers Come To My Door
- Shut the loud terrier/shepherd mix in the computer room.
- Stand on the porch while they sing, beaming appreciatively.
- Say “thank you!” with enthusiasm and wave byebye.
Grab a bullhorn and sing along.
No, wait, get your Sausato and play along. Into a bullhorn. You’ll need three hands.
Serve them refreshments (unless you’re in Mindanao, in which case they probably want cold, hard, cash).
Dear “Don’t Know”,
Ms Manners is currently on vacation. In her absence, Mr Ebenezer Scrooge kindly volunteered to answer her letters. His reply to your question follows:
Open the door in a sudden and forceful manner, then threaten the worthless little vagrants with your walking cane while yelling, “Surplus population! Surplus population!”
Humbug,
E. Scrooge
Stand freezing and shivering in the doorway while letting all the heat out to warm the neighborhood, face locked in a formulaic and vapid perma-grin that beams upon the singing intruders because what else is there to do until they mercifully finish? Then inform them that you have no cookies as you are diabetic (this does not have to be true), and -still beaming- wave them on their way with the added suggestion that there is legitimate choral instruction to be got in town.
Close the door, curse roundly, and go back to Wheel of Fortune.
Well, that’s what I think of doing, anyway, Gentle Reader.
Another tactic is to peek fearfully through one’s curtains.
Pretend you’re not at home and hope they go away before they break into one of those god-awful songs 
Gerry
Offer them toothbrushes.
Well, it always works at Halloween!!!
Missy - er - Ms. Manners
Or one could present oneself at the door with a cleaver in hand and bits of meat suck to one’s cooking-apron.
Having been a caroler and leader of carolers myself- lots of youth & church groups do it- maybe I can offer some insight. While it used to be traditional for the “host” to offer refreshments, in the parts of the U.S. I’ve lived (Texas & Michigan), we never expected it. A wave and a “Thank you” was sufficient and appreciated. In very cold weather, we understood when a family would press their faces against a window instead of opening the door except for a brief wave and shout. It was a service we gave gladly without expecting anything and a reason to get together with friends. We usually went to homes we knew so we wouldn’t be singing “Away in a Manger” to a family celebrating Hanukkah, but one of my Jewish neighbors informed me that she didn’t care what we sang as long as we came! We did get a few songs from her to add to our repertoire, though…
Answer the door dressed in a full-length (hooded) black robe, left hand holding a white candle, right hand holding a tray of yummy Tollhouse Cookies…uttering: " a-rumpa - pum - pum." 
Failing that, listen and be entertained. This is the time to explore.
Here’s my take on it. When they show up they are only there to contribute to you. Why not let them do it and when they’re done, thank them and offer them some cookies. That way everybody involved gets something from having given to others which would be truely in the spirit of the holiday.
Best,
Paul
Yup, only cash for us Filipino carolers. We even have a special song for the cheapskates! 
At the risk of displaying mauldin sentimentality, I say, enjoy it!, thank them, and take pictures if you have a camera handy. .. then consider joining them if you can. We’ve had great times caroling… and some of the people are so appreciative (especially elderly shut-ins) that it makes all the raw noses and frozen fingertips worth it.. not to mention the hot toddys after.
Yup. 
Wassail. Preferably nice and hot.