The other day on my Facebook page I said, "What is everyone handing out for Halloween this year? We're doing our usual - glow sticks. I'd love to feature some of your new and creative (non-candy) ideas on the Charlotte Today show later this week!" And I got a barrage of comments, many of which simply answered the question, but also included some of the following...
- "I'm sorry, but it's Halloween and they're children. We give out candy."
- "This crosses the line. Too much. It's once a year!"
- "If you don't want to hand out candy, replace it with a healthy alternative treat. But substituting junk food with junky plastic crap isn't much better in my opinion."
First of all, I NEVER said my kids don't get to eat candy on Halloween night. The problem is this: When some people hear that I hand out glow sticks instead of candy they make assumptions and then say (in the comments), "Oh give me a break Halloween is just once a year so let kids be kids!" But when you eat gobs of candy on Halloween night and then continue to eat the rest of the candy for weeks (or months) to come how is it still counted as "just one night?" I have no problem with my children OD'ing on whatever candy they want on Halloween night - and that's actually what they do - with no limits or constraints from me. But then we actually live up to Halloween being "just one night" and get rid of what's left (with the exception of maybe 5 or so pieces for "later").
So my thought process is that children will still get PLENTY of candy on Halloween even if a few of us decide to hand out something different. Not to mention there are lots of FUN alternatives to candy (see below) that I doubt will deprive any child from just being a "kid." Now, that's just my two cents on the topic. I occasionally have a hard time when commenters criticize me for something I don't even do (i.e. not let my kids trick or treat for candy) - so just had to vent about that for a moment. :)
Secondly, how many kids actually EAT every single piece of Halloween candy? Don't the uneaten pieces (along with the wrappers from the others) end up in the land fill anyway? I promise I'm not personally a huge fan of little plastic "made in China" gadgets either, but I didn't invent Halloween and like it or not it's all about handing SOMETHING out. I personally have a hard time seeing how a little skeleton paratrooper is a whole lot different than gobs of candy wrappers in the land fill. Your thoughts on this?
Anyway, now that I got that off my chest let's get into the fun alternatives that I had a chance to share on the Charlotte Today show yesterday!
Candy-Free Ideas for Trick or Treaters
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- Festive Toys: Witch Fingers (8 cents/each) and Skeleton Paratroopers (28 cents/each) - found at Party City or Target or online.
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Online Finds: Finger Lights (12 cents/each) and Syringe Pens (22 cents/each).
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Themed Jokes and Trivia: Lunchbox Love Cards - something different (20 cents/each)!
And since they are a partner of ours you can get 20% off with coupon code "100DAYS" -
Coins: Mostly pennies - mix in some dimes and nickels and tell them to close their eyes before picking!
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Glow sticks: My personal favorite and what I am handing out again this year (7 cents/each) - found in the dollar section at Target.
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Drinks: Small bottled waters (81 cents/each) and/or organic juice pouches (75 cents/each) because we all know those trick or treaters get thirsty running around the whole neighborhood.
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If you still really want candy: How about organic lollipops (9 cents/each) or fruit leathers/twists (83 cents/each) without artificial dyes or other questionable additives?
- What do to with all that candy at the end of the night? Invite the Switch Witch over! A big thanks to blog reader Catherine for sharing this poem with us.
What are your plans for Halloween night?
Karen says
Last year, after Halloween I told my 3 year old that we could go to the store and pick out any toy for no more than $20 in exchange for the Halloween candy. She is already talking about what she is exchanging her Halloween Candy for this year.
Kathy says
I have taken the pumpkin or ghost treat bags and filled them with snacks instead of candy. Goldfish crackers or pretzels in the pumpkin bags and popcorn in the ghost bags. The kids seem to really like it. This is usually for kids I know, but I am from a small town.
Kari says
A few years ago I put a bunch of random stuff in our Halloween basket to give out to kids. We had spider rings, glow sticks, skeleton parachutes, pirate eye patches (all picked up at Target for fairly cheap), along with the candy, fruit snacks and Goldfish crackers. It was interesting to see that quite a few of the kids would bypass the candy for the "interesting" stuff. :) Also, I find that kids LOVE glow sticks any time of year... and I love being able to see where they are when it gets dark. Keep up what you are doing!
Tara says
I saw my local grocery store had 1/2 pint size Zephyrhills water bottles with Halloween decor printed on them. I think we will do that this year....if we are home in time. Most of the time we are out trick-or-treating and miss the brunt of the kids. We only walk the block, but my daughter gets so much candy, it's ridiculous. We throw out most of it, but keep the chocolate (lol), which we freeze. I still have 3 zip lock bags from last Halloween. After Halloween you have Christmas, then Valentines, then Easter.....it is months of non-stop candy.
Candee Backus says
I think your ideas are awesome! I know plenty of kids who would think a glow stick was a great treat on Halloween. When my kids who are now 37 & 40 were about 8 & 11, I made up trick or treat bags with Halloween themed stickers, pencils & erasers & sometimes threw in a small box of raisins. This was way before the general public became aware of the downfall of too much candy at Halloween & I did it every year after until we moved to a spot where we didn't get any trick or treaters. I never heard any complaints & we always had the same number of kids each year!
Jen says
I LOVE the Switch Witch. My daughter is almost 3 and this will definitely be implemented in our home starting this year since she will be trick-or-treating. I started following your blog and making healthier choices a couple of years ago so healthy real food is just normal for her. We have treats quite often but they are always the healthiest version; no artificial colors especially. I never understood why fun and childhood had to be synonymous with sugar and junk food.
Erin says
Thanks for the ideas! I am in charge of a Trick or Treat event and I would love to hand out other things with the candy so that the kids go home with a combo. Not every family limits how much their kids eat and I want to try and do what I can to help.
Marcie says
Love the ideas! We do not have many kids come by our house and last year I did small containers of play-doh. The kids were super excited!
Felicia says
We are doing something totally different this year. We are setting up a tent at the end of our driveway. Setting up the grill and serving hotdogs. Come one! Come all! Not sure how it will turn out but we've giving it a go. It's little bit of "us." Something different instead of the same ol' same ol'!
AIMEE O says
You know what?? I love this idea! For one reason....with beggars night starting at 5:00 pm and working parents....how to find time to get something of "substance" in the lil one's bellies. I remember many years, rushing home, getting the kids ready, going trick or treating then coming home STARVING! We'd order a pizza from the local place and have an hour wait because everyone else was doing the same! In the meantime, the kids went bonkers on their candy because they were hungry! Good luck to you!
Michelle says
There will always be haters, but luckily I think there are more non-haters that will agree 100% with you. The thing the haters are not realizing is that eating clean is a lifestyle, not something you just abandon completely because everyone else is doing it. I agree with letting kids have one night of candy, in fact I think it's so much better than being uptight and not letting them partake at all. When I was a kid we got TONS of candy, and we certainly didn't eat it all in the same night. And your kids are much better off because I'm sure they understand why it's one night and not 2 months. They also probably won't be hyper and/or throwing tantrums because they're not loaded up on sugar until Christmas! I admire that you are so relatable compared to some other bloggers out there who expect us all to be perfect. Our society and celebrations center around food, so it's only natural to sometimes want to partake in that. I don't have kids, but when I eventually do I'm sure I'll be grateful for the few houses that give them something different than candy. Thank you for all you do, and know there are so many more of us on your side than not :)
Judy says
I agree with Lisa on this one. My kids do not need all that candy, and it isn't just one day. My oldest is 13 and opted out of Trick or Treating (his choice), the last two years. We still take my youngest- he enjoys the costume part the most, I think. He enjoys getting candy, and has some that evening. He is allowed a piece or two over the week following, and then, to be honest, I throw the rest away. He doesn't need all that sugar. And neither do the rest of us! My parents did the same thing, in fact, one we turned 10, we weren't allowed to go anymore.
Nadia says
I totally agree with Lisa...we are handing out play dough this year...and I may add organic Lollypops from. Mother Earth! My son will only eat a few pieces that night and some will be saved but most will be tossed. My son who is 3 is only allowed to fill up is pumpkin basket...once it is filled there is no more trick or treating for him...I strongly believe in setting limits!
Celeste says
We make gingerbread houses for holiday decoration at Christmas time. We do not eat the houses. Consider using the left over Halloween candy for decorating gingerbread houses.
Joanie says
For years I passed out candy and cringed with every bag I bought, not to mention the load my kids bring home. It was you and your blog that gave me the guts to stray away from tradition and do something non-candy last year. I worry that people roll their eyes about my "health obsession" and judge me and my family, but it is what it is and if people get to know me they will see that I have reasons for being so strict, between my health problems and some concern for my kids, and that I'm not at all judgy about what other people choose to do. So last year I passed out dollar section toys including glow stick and spider rings and such. The kids loved it! I had a little candy thrown in too and most of the time the kids chose the toys. They get so much candy, they enjoy something different! There will be no candy in my basket this year. I found a lot of fun toys at Target, like little slime bottles and glow in the dark fingers. And I may throw in some mini raisin packs. I let my kids have what they want on Halloween, and then save a little for later and we get rid of the rest. I really like the Switch Witch idea and am going to use that this year! Thanks for all your hard work and ideas on your blog! You're awesome!
Cassie says
Great ideas, I especially loved the switch witch idea. Thanks for giving us some alternative options!
Kathleen Cornish says
I love these ideas were also doing glow sticks (Wal-Mart sells a big tube for under $4 in the Halloween section)which I think are great for safety reasons. I love the blog and think you make healthy living seem very approachable.
Tiffany says
I love love love the glow stick idea. I have three kids so I also like the ideas for what to do with the candy after halloween. Thank you Lisa!
Valerie Smith says
I love your idea. And you are correct: it is NOT just one night. Two pounds of candy will last for months. . . . . then it's Christmas candy. . . . . .then it is Valentine's candy. . . . . then Easter candy. WAY TOO MUCH!
We sell our Halloween candy to local dentists who will buy it back and then send it to our troops.
Jen says
To the person who told Lisa to "get over herself", I have to comment that one of the reasons I love this blog is because she is down to earth and shares these things about her life. Why shouldn't she vent about people attacking her? All she asked was for people to get the whole story before commenting, which I think is reasonable. There are a lot of blogs I don't follow because they actually are pretentious, but this isn't one of them. Great job Lisa, I love what you do, how you do it, and the new cookbook!
Lisa says
Thanks so much for that Jen - means a lot to hear that :)
wendy says
I think your candy alternatives for Halloween are great! It is true that children just get too much candy. I'll definetly try some of your suggestions next year! Thanks!
Amber says
I love these fun ideas! Much better than apples and toothbrushes! I also LOVE the switch witch idea. One question: what do you do with the candy? Do you throw it away?
Lisa says
Amber - You can or you can mail it to the troops!
kathy says
This year I'm handing out the mini play doh canisters. They are a little more expensive at about $.50/container, but I think it's something the kids will enjoy AND we don't get 100s of trick or treaters.
Klizz says
Thank you for your hard work and for sharing all of your ideas, recipes and thoughts.
Why is it that people have to state their comments wanting you to know that they are right and you are wrong? People disagree...plain and simple... but some choose to think they are always right and feel they have the right to tell people to "get over themselves".. Perhaps they should all write their own blogs!
Anyway, it takes commitment and some courage to do what you do...and others like FoodBabe, Deliciously Organic etc.
Thank you again !!~
Michelle says
My son has severe food allergies and I don't want him to miss the fun. So, he goes trick or treating and can have some of the twizzlers out of his bag. The rest goes on the front porch for the Great pumpkin (did not know about the switch witch, cute too, I just borrowed from Charlie brown!) comes and "takes" the candy and leaves a small toy. The candy then (somehow) gets to our dentist, who gives you cash per pound (which goes in our son's bank) and then he sends it to the troops. Win win I say! I really don't like it when I hear that people just throw it away. I believe that is a great waste and could be sent over to the troops. On top of which, people went out and spend their money to make your child smile. I use candy and non candy items to give out, in case any of the kids have allergies too.
Laura says
I love your ideas and use many of them! As for Halloween, growing up miles from town, trick or treating became too big of a chore for everyone. Northern MN we often had snow on the ground, had to DRIVE door to door, and we always went home early and frozen. My parents started a tradition when I was only about 8 years old that they took us to the local indoor swimming pool on Halloween night every year. We had the ENTIRE pool to ourselves! We brought a pizza and pop with us and swam and ate all night! That was the BEST and there was NO candy (although, plenty of pop!).
Erin says
My son loves candy but I know he would be just as excited to get some of these, including a glow stick ;)
Latrice says
Also I will add, this blog has totally reformed my children's lunches and they couldn't be more thrilled! :)
Lisa says
I am so glad to hear that Latrice! :)
Gina says
Love this post! When my kids take "treats" to school for Halloween, we do glow sticks. This is a big hit because they get to use them when trick or treating that night.
Lynn says
Thanks for the finger light idea and link. My 5 yr old likes those and I am going to give those out with some candy. :)
Melissa says
I don't think you are boring neither. If readers don't like it then don't read it! Love the new ideas and the switch witch over will definitely implement some of your ideas this year! I bought your cookbook, love the recipes, my house is still work in progress but heading in the right direction. Your blog has been such an eye openner!
Lisa jack says
I LOVE the idea of sending all leftovers to troops. I know they would truly enjoy it.
Suzer says
As the parent of a child with food allergies, I love people who have non-food Halloween treats! For us, trick-or-treating is about the costumes and the fun of going to neighbor's houses. The treats are secondary (and I have a huge jar of stale candy from last Halloween in my pantry to prove it.)
Melissa says
Sometimes we go around the neighborhood collecting candy, take what we want, then add the rest to our bowl to give away. Makes the holiday cheaper! Other times we just go to a party that's focused on games, dressing up (not scary), and a potluck. We celebrate family fun instead of gluttony. My kids never feel their lacking anything.
Kelly G in ATX says
Bwahaha, we do that too! Our kids are still on the young end, so we tend to finish trick or treating earlier. We check everyone's candy, remove about half, and then dump it into the bowl to give away to other kids. Admittedly, most of it is stuff we wouldn't eat anyway (some of the kids don't like candy with nuts, we don't do bubblegum or taffies, etc.), but it's better than outright throwing it out.
Latrice says
I have gotten a TON of amazing ideas from this blog and want to thank you for taking the time you do to help those of us who just want to make healthier choices. I love the other ideas you've presented here and I know my kids would love to get glow sticks on Halloween. Also- thanks to Bridget for the great ideas on what to do with leftover candy. Love the ideas of shipping it to troops or donating to places that will use it. If they're going to use it anyway, it's nice to donate it!
Abbey says
Great ideas!! Your blog is awesome (never boring!) and if others don't like what you say (or think it's boring), then they don't need to read it :-) Thanks for your healthy ideas!
Lisa says
Thank you Abbey :)
Bridget says
I like your idea of eating a bunch of candy on Halloween and then being done! We have a similar tradition…our leftovers go the the troops! We box it up and ship it out!! After Christmas last year, I can extra wrapped candy left over and I brought it down to our local assisted living facility. The director there uses candy for bingo prizes!!
Breann says
Was just thinking of something other than candy to pass out... thank you for the GREAT ideas! BTW I don't think you're boring!
Lisa says
Haha Breann - thank you :)
Alisha says
Great post. I'm always looking for some non-candy ideas. The neighbor kids always comment and look forward to it. It sure lasts longer than the candy. Which the get plenty of.
Anissa says
My daughter has Prader-Willi Syndrome(will basically NEVER feel full) and can't eat candy because of dietary restrictions. We have to protect her from food and everywhere we go, it seems like activities are food orientated. I am very thankful for your blog and ideas. It has been a God send. I can't thank you enough for helping make this special needs mom's life better with your healthful ideas. PS I love your cookbook and every recipe has been delicious.
Lisa says
Thank you for sharing that Anissa! I'm so glad some of the ideas have helped you and your daughter!
Kim says
I like you and I like your ideas, but half the time you sound preachy and pretentious. You have over 1 million followers, grow a thicker skin and get over yourself. You don't need to "prove" to us that you let your kids have Halloween candy. Reading how you vent is boring. Reading Halloween alternatives is interesting.
Chelsea says
I have to say that this is one of the rudest comments I've read online in a long time. One of the things I hate is when people mask behind a computer to say completely unnecessary, rude, and downright disrespectful things to people they would never have the guts to say to their face.
You should look up the T.H.I.N.K. method, and then consider it next time you leave such rude comments.
alexis says
Kim,
you sound extremely rude. No matter how many "followers" someone has they are still a person and they still have feelings. Some of us read the blog not only for "ideas" but because we like hearing from Lisa. Have you ever heard the saying if you dont have something nice to say dont say anything?Please try to be more kind im sure a lot of people would appreciate it.
Lisa says
Thank you for that Alexis - yes, no matter how many followers someone has they are still a regular person with feelings.
Lisa says
Wow, Kim - I didn't realize I couldn't share my feelings on my own blog. Sorry to bore you. I can't help but want to set the record straight when people assume things that are not true.
Sara says
What I find funny is that Lisa, it is YOUR blog!! You can say whatever you want, Kim doesn't have to read it! If she finds stuff she likes on your blog, she can take that, leave the rest, and keep her negative thoughts to herself. :)
Sara says
PS--I absolutely love your blog and the hard work and research you put into making it SO EASY for the rest of us to enjoy REAL food. You are not preachy at all. Most of us understand that you are trying to share your knowledge and experience with the rest of us to help us!
Katie says
You don't bore me! It's your blog and you can say what you want to. You have helped me so much I'll read whatever you have to say.
Tricia says
Everyone needs to vent once in awhile. Doesn't matter how many followers she has.