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?
Leigh says
Non food items are also very helpful to parents who have children with food allergies. My daughter has a severe peanut allergy. So this year we will be handing out two different items; Tootsie Caramel Apple Pops which are peanut and tree nut free AND plastic vampire teeth for kids who may have multiple food allergies such as milk, eggs ect. My 7 year old who has NO food allergies said if he had a choice he would choose the vampire teeth lol;)I bought huge bags of both of these off Amazon and spent less than I would have otherwise.
Colleen says
My son has a peanut allergy. I applaud and appreciate your 'non-candy' alternative.
Amber says
i love the non-candy ideas! I am part of a food allergy committee and for everyone who has non-food options for Halloween please place a teal pumpkin outside to signal your house has safe options for those with allergies!!!!!
Lisa C says
I do give out candy to most of the children who come, but I know some mothers in our neighborhood don't like their little ones to have it but they let them dress up and go around and generally just say - thanks but no candy needed. I buy some nice Halloween pencils and glow sticks, etc. for those children. I appreciate the Moms bringing them around for us to see and I want them to feel comfortable and the kids to be excited.
Also, after Halloween some of the local dentists will "swap" candy for some non-candy treats and a toothbrush - and the candy is sent to either troops or senior centers, as others have mentioned. Great ideas here - thanks for the post.
Kelly G in ATX says
For years growing up, we would go to a friend's neighborhood to trick or treat. It was a wealthy neighborhood and we always got great candy. There was a dentist who lived there that always gave out stickers and toothbrush kits to the kids and cold beers for the parents! He dressed up as Dracula and was really great at sneaking up on the kids. We didn't mind getting toothbrushes because it was such great fun. Crazy enough, he's STILL doing it almost 20 years later!!! We trick or treat in another neighborhood and a family there does something similar...toothbrushes for the kids and usually have a keg or wine for the parents coming by. It just goes to show that giving out alternatives doesn't have to be a downer...make it fun and the kids won't care. It's all about the spirit and fun of Halloween!
Tara says
We hand out bouncy balls, glitter rings, bracelets, tattoos. Kids with food allergies can't eat most of the candy anyway and really appreciate the alternatives.
Amy Mucken says
Your glow stick tradition inspired me last year, and I copied the idea. We were the hit house with both kids and parents. This year, I sat with a team of 10-year old neighbor kids with a $100 budget to fund 250 trick-or-treaters. That may seem like a lot, but we live in a very active part of Los Angeles and will still turn off our porch light before the end of the night.
So with our $100 budget, we went to Oriental Trading and purchased items to create small halloween treat bags. 250 of them! Here is what the kids ended up choosing:
1 small pumpkin bag (2x4inches)
2 halloween themed pencils (not sharpened)
2 erasers in fun shapes
1 mini notepad - Halloween theme
2 plastic poppers
1 mustache whistle
And mostly I feel better not spending that 100 on total junk food.
Elizabeth Castria says
My sister has handed out TOOTHBRUSHES for Halloween (for years now). She buys them all through the year when they're on sale.
Barbara says
I think that is a great idea. Kids gets tons of candy on Halloween, when they get something different they are very excited. I may have to steal your idea!!!
Ellenbefellen says
Some are claiming that "it's for the children" and "it's tradition." To me it sounds it's for the adults who feel the need to unnecessarily feed children junk because it makes them feel like "good adults."
It's not as if children don't get enough candy in their lives - Easter, Christmas, birthdays, movies, ball games,...
[email protected] says
Lisa, I love your ideas! However, when I break tradition and give out not candy goodies, I get mostly complaints from trick or treaters. Instead of "thank-you" I get lots of negative comments about not giving candy. So the last few years I tried something else, which is similar to the switcha witch in mention in this post. We take our kids out trick or treating early. Then when we get home the kids give their candy away to the tick or treaters that come to our house. The kids pick a few pieces to keep and the rest get given away. The parents will have to decide what to do with their kids candy.
parker says
for the last 4 years i have been going to dollar tree and purchasing toys, the kids love them and you can see them running for our house first before all the candy.
Jennifer says
The school collects candy for soldiers the day after Halloween. They try to get as many pounds as they can. So, I let my kids eat as much as they want after they trick-or-treat, and send the rest to the school. Then it really is just one night, and I am not tempted to eat it as well.☺
Chrystal says
Don't sweat the negative comments Lisa..........your ideas are great!!
Paula R. says
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for sharing this. As an adult with severe allergies, I've always offered alternative to children who have dietary restriction. Children with allergies (and parents) always seem to appreciate the effort. Perhaps there is still time for more families to join The Teal Pumpkin Project.
http://blog.foodallergy.org/2014/10/06/the-teal-pumpkin-project-for-an-allergy-friendly-halloween/
Happy Halloween!
Kristin says
Last year we did Baggies with one piece of chocolate, one non-chocolate, one small Halloween baggie of pretzels and a tiny cup of play doh. Something for everyone. My three year old doesn't LIKE candy, which has been a big eye opener to me- for both Halloween and Easter! I'm willing to let her keep trying, but she spits it back out and says it's too sweet. She would love the glow sticks! Great idea!
Brett says
I can't stand tradition-breakers. Giving out glow sticks is not only a Bad idea but environmentally unhealthy. What happens with the plastic waste when the glow stick is all burned out and tossed in the garbage?
Karentd says
Wegmans has a bunch of healthy treats. Healthy gummies, and what I will do this year, pretzels!
I personally don't like that hard plastic glo stick. Love your lunch ideas!
Stacey says
I usually hand out stickers to the really young children. I can't tell you how many of them run back to their parents saying happily "I got stickers!" Kuddos to you for giving an alternative!
Dana @ 3boysunprocessed says
You know Halloween is one of those times that makes me really think about how Americans act, especially parents. Every single year the news comes out with how much we've spent and all I can ever say to myself is why are we spending a billion dollars on this crap when we could take that money and help the people eating literal trash on a daily basis!
With that being said, Halloween candy is such a burden to me!!!! Every year I let them eat what they want that night, but the rest of the week all I hear is whining about the candy and how they want it. Getting rid of it after the first day is a great idea! We don't get trick or treaters here but I'm going to have some extra fruit leathers on hand because my kids eat those as a treat, and the ingredients check out, so I think they are a good alternative!
Kristin says
In my opinion I think as a blogger, you should work on thickening your skin a bit, I find it funny though you have no problem criticizing others (ie your post on parents who were feeding their children organic cheddar bunnies) but do not appreciate receiving any type of criticism. Yet I believe you have posted pictures of serving those same cheddar bunnies to your children. Whether a rare occasion or not you shouldn't be so quick to pass a judgement on others and their food choices!
Diana says
I enjoyed reading your vent because I feel the same way about my kids getting "treated" too much. I think we can all try a little harder about getting our points of view across with tact and being careful in not making assumptions. It must be hard to read harsh comments & reading this post makes me want to choose my words more carefully, especially electronically. I have always enjoyed your blog and appreciate the great ideas!
Alicia says
My kids are all grown but my concern with some of the trinkets that you mentioned is that they could be choking hazards.
April says
We always make our gingerbread houses the week after Halloween. We use all of the leftover pieces for the decorations. The houses are not magazine worthy but they are made by us and for us. The kids come up with all kinds of creative ideas and it's basically free.
Amy says
Many people are tricked by commercial strategy these days. They make you think you obligate to buy candies, small toys, costumes and host parties. Waste money and a lot of time from daily busy enough house chores, school and even work time!
In my neighbourhood, majority of my neighbours don't give out candies/treats. Most of the families choose to dine out at night. The restaurants around this area are very busy on Halloween night. My neighbours choose to save more money and time to enjoy a good meal. For families choose to celebrate Halloween, they mostly host private parties. They can have more control on what their children will eat, see and receive.
Elizabeth says
I could not agree more with your post. Maybe I'm the mean mom, but we do watch the sugar intake on Halloween . My kid on sugar is usually not an awesome thing. By the time trick or treat rolls around on Halloween day, she's already been overdosed with sugar from her class party...cupcakes, juice, and other assorted sweets. So, we let her eat a few pieces during trick or treat and save a few for "later". The rest we send to soldiers.
Some cute alternatives in our neighborhood have been fake mustaches, sold at target, bubbles, glow sticks, toothbrushes, popcorn. Besides, have you seen the price of candy these days?
Cindy Carpenter says
I always throw away the candy after Halloween is over, otherwise it is a huge temptation to everyone...and we all have enough tempting us the way it is. My kids get candy very often, from other people. They go somewhere, they get candy. We go to church, they get candy. Please stop being ignorant by saying that this is a special "treat". It is very difficult to be a mom and try to teach your children to eat healthy, and to have a taste for healthy foods, when all around you people are trying to "treat" your children. Go to the doctors, get a sucker. Go to the bank, get some candy. No way is a holiday that is based on loading your body up with sugar a "treat". A Sugar addiction is harder to break than a caffeine addiction...and pretty much everything contains some sugar in it already. I think glow sticks is a fantastic idea. We normally do not give out anything on Halloween; however I would splurge on glow sticks. And the kids could use them for safe trick-or-treating. My kids would love it.
Susan sullivan says
In our house Halloween is a treat. We don't accept every piece of candy offered to us. In fact, sugary snacks are not something often found in our house except for a special occasion. Therefore candy is a treat, and not a normal part of our lives. Not being ignorant, just being honest. Everyone's home works differently.
Cindy Carpenter says
Candy is not found in our house either, nor are processed foods. Therefore taking my children to the grocery store and picking up a pizza is a treat for them. I guess I was talking about the battle parents can face on trying to teach their kids why not to eat that stuff yet also have to deal with people everyday that want to "treat" children.It's very difficult sticking to it just on daily basis, and then to have a holiday where candy is the main attraction adds to the difficulty. I love the idea of passing out other items besides candy. My first post was mainly in response to people who posted that Halloween is a treat and parents should not be so strict to deny their children such. We do have homemade desserts, but I just cannot justify giving my child a food item that is completely sugar and preservatives to celebrate a "holiday". We've worked too hard to get where we are at, and with as many other options as there are everyone can join in on the celebration.
Kristin McNamara says
The day after Halloween our Credit Union give kids $1 into their savings account for every pound of candy that they bring in. This is my daughter's first Halloween where she will be Trick-O-Treating and that is what we are planning on doing. She can enjoy the evening of candy and fun and then the next day we will head to the bank. Honestly she will probably be more excited about getting the money than the candy. I hear that there are lots of banks that are starting to do this so everyone should inquire at theirs.
Susan Sullivan says
It's trick or treat. Treat doesn't always have to equate candy. Little trinkets can be fun especially for young children. I personally have no problem with my son having a little candy once in a while, but I think our society has forgotten the meaning of "treat", and "treats" have become a daily norm instead of something reserved for a special occasion like Halloween night. I also like the idea of saving some of the Halloween candy for gingerbread houses. In the end the old saying holds true...you are what you eat.
ashley says
I'll start off by saying we do NOT do halloween because we are Christian and it goes against everything I believe in. Lord Jesus is LIGHT! And I want nothing to do with darkness.I just wanted to comment on the candy though. Our little girl has never had candy from "regulars" other then a junior mint. I just can't start that for her. It would be very confusing to her for her to get bad candy sometimes and other times which would be a lot told no. It sends a mixed message. It's getting harder as she gets older, but we stick to our guns on most items especially if they aren't even homemade. I don't see her missing out. She still gets organic/natural treats and candy. We don't celebrate most holidays other then Thanksgiving and birthdays, but she still gets way more then she probably should.
Bee says
Oh for goodness' sake. It's a post about food, not your religion. If you don't like Halloween, kill the lights and pretend not to be home. There's one in every neighborhood.
Personally, I don't care for Halloween because I agree with Lisa - the meaning of the word "treat" has been lost. People always say "It's just this once!" ...but it's not. Not even close. It's nearly every day in 2014 America, and if I ever choose to have children, the Switch Witch will be making a yearly appearance. I love that idea.
Lisa says
Awesome ideas, Lisa! Thanks for sharing!
Rachael says
Hello Lisa, I have been following your blog for awhile now and have been making the transition to eating clean for my family. I bought your book when it came out. I am trying to contact you regarding a subject regarding my son who is 100% tube fed. I finally discovered a "formula/meal" last year (the only formula he can tolerate)and it is the only one on the market that is 100% organic and made with all REAL FOOD. It is called Liquid Hope and it is made by Functional Formularies. I was hoping that I could speak with you via e-mail or even over the phone regarding this topic. It is something so vital to our "tubie" community and I need help. You have become such an icon for eating "clean" and healthy, I thought you would be the perfect person that could possibly help. Thank-you.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Rachael. Since this is not really our expertise, I'd like to refer to Dr. Sheila Kilbane. Take a look at this post she did for us: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2014/07/09/natural-alternative-pediasure/ and contact her by clicking on the link to her website in this post. ~Amy
Brooke says
Lisa who follows your blog and makes such stupid comments like; "it's only once a year....blah blah blah"? Are they on the right blog?! You don't need to explain yourself. People talk like that because they feel guilt watching you live such a healthy lifestyle. And with the amount of sugar that's in regular processed food, kids and adults already get too much. I'd also like to hand out something different. And kids see the same candy house to house.... A toy or different surprise is fun and interesting. I think you are amazing and I'm your blog/ book/ meal planning follower for life!!! We are SO blessed that you freely share your hard researched knowledge. And I'm truly grateful!
Chanee Olson says
We give out mini bags of Angie's popcorn. They sell them at target. Before going more healthy we use to give out mini bags of goldfish.
Doree Weller says
People will just get cranky about anything, won't they? Every kid loves to Trick or Treat, but not every kid loves candy. True story: I used to eat it on Halloween and then end up throwing the rest out. So I like your idea about handing out other stuff. At least you're not the person handing out apples or toothbrushes! Kids actually like glow sticks. I love the ideas that TeresaL posted... Keep up the good work, raising awareness about natural, healthy foods as a lifestyle.
TeresaL says
I don't know if this was mentioned already but here is the link to see if any dentists in your area are buying leftover Halloween candy (mine was $1 a pound and entered into a drawing for iPod so my kids are excited to do it) and then they send the candy to the soldiers overseas. My kids have 6 Halloween events this year so they always get way more than they should eat themselves.
http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com
Also we save some of the candy for our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes we send out in November. My kids LOVE being able to pick out toys they know will get to someone else needing them so a fun Christmas charity if you haven't tried it yet.
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
TeresaL says
BTW I LOVE your glow stick idea but we do our neighborhood trunk or treat 4-6pm so it's not dark enough yet. Maybe I'll try that if we're home on Halloween night after dark one year... My kids love those so I can see that being a huge hit!
TeresaL says
We also limit their candy to what they eat that day and then they can have a baggie of their favorites to save until "Sugar Sunday" (when we visit grandparents and eat what they serve) as we try to be sugar free the rest of the week since it is so damaging and toxic to your body. I still let them eat what they get at school but make sugar free / healthier treats at home so they don't feel deprived. This will be our first year not passing out candy as we were nervous in the past being the "weird" and only ones in our neighborhood. I found sticker boxes with 8 Halloween stickers in each box at our Dollar Tree. 18 boxes for $1 so only 5 cents each. I just found your site and think it's great what you're doing!
Nicole Jacobson says
100% behind all your thoughts and ideas Lisa! Keep it up!
Meg says
I recently learned about issues around child trafficking and cocoa. I know this is a total, "Debbie Downer," comment, but there is an excellent post about it over at Rage Against the Minivan. Basically, there is a real likelihood that candy you're handing out was produced with child labor. I know...I know...but it's something to think about.
I also had several readers talk about how hard Halloween is for them as the parents of kids with allergies.
I think these are both Excellent reasons to try a non food alternative, and you're totally right that there will still be plenty of candy!
I think we'll go the glo-stick route, too.