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?
AB says
I think the idea is to offer something that will delight children, and candy is not the only way to do that! I like to offer candy, but also some treats for children too young to eat candy or who have dietary restrictions. (On my block we have toddlers and a child with food allergies) Play dough, glow sticks, and little sticker books delight the younger set and offer an a sweet alternative to candy, but I still stock in loads of candy for the bigger kids! We live in a tight knit neighborhood in a cold climate so I also offer hot apple cider (with a little kick added for adult chaperones I know well).
Sheree says
I give away both books and candy for Halloween. I give away books because I like to encourage reading, but I also give away candy in memory of my mom, who passed away 7 years ago. She loved giving out candy every year. The books can get pricey, but I try to get them for $1 each (Scholastic, Goodwill, garage sales, etc.) and just consider it my contribution to society.
Melissa says
I didn't read all of the comments, so I don't know if this has already been posted, but I recently heard of a good idea of what to do with extra Halloween candy. Some towns and schools have drop offs for extra candy and they will send it to the men and women serving in the military. I don't know, just seems like a better idea then throwing it away.
Nadine says
I can't believe people get their panties in a knot over something as silly as handing out non-candy treats for Halloween! Kids are going to get TONS of candy; it is ridiculous to worry that kids might not get any candy on HALLOWEEN. I don't know how people can be so nasty and critical.
Also with so many kids who have food allergies today (and not just to peanuts - soy, corn, gluten etc) this is a great alternative. Glow sticks are an awesome idea - if I see those I will totally grab some.
Molly says
Oh! And I have handed out little erasers, festive pencils, and other party favors left over from my kids birthday. They arnt birthday themed so they work!
Molly says
You must have a lot of patience to listen to people's comments that go off on you for something you don't do. I don't think I could handle it! I love these ideas and love when my children get something other than candy. After all, today treats are handed out everywhere for everything - festivals, preschools, birthdays, every holiday...so nothing is really "just one night". The balance is off - so we need to think of alternatives!
Kathleen says
My brother-in-law is a dentist. He has a policy at his office where the kids can bring in their uneaten candy in exchange for a toy. He told us a few pieces of candy each day stretched out over weeks was terrible for the kids teeth. Let them eat what they like for a day or two and then pitch it.
Amanda says
My kids are allergic to candy, so we are really grateful to those who hand out something else. We like to hand out pencils and erasers. I also remember as a kid how excited I was when I got a juice pouch and thought it was a great idea.
Rebecca says
I don't have kids yet, but I love handing out treats and seeing the littles (and occasionally some bigs!) dressed up and around the neighborhood. Personally I think glow sticks are an AWESOME treat, and I'm all about my sweet tooth. ;-) The water bottles and juice boxes are also a fun idea, and bonus points for drawing ghosty or pumpkin faces on them!
I like the Switch Witch idea too--it makes the removal of candy less of a punishment, and more a trade in for something better (better for you, really!).
Debi says
My kids are now grown but they would have a candy drawer. All the candy went into it and they could only get one piece of candy out if they had eaten a good dinner (that meant something from all the food groups.) We would end up throwing candy away but they had learned that they didn't really need all that candy. That being said, I think non-candy treats are a great idea!
Christie says
I love that you don't hand out candy. I prefer not to give my Son candy and up until this year have been able to figure out a way to switch his candy bag with a bag with snacks that I approve of. Now that he is a little older I'm finding it harder to switch his bag...thank you for keeping the sugary treats at bay.
Rachel says
Hi Lisa! I love all of your ideas! We actually purchased the Yum Earth Organic lollipops last year. A big bag (maybe 50+) was around $6. Our kids and neighbor kids loved them. Yum Earth also makes fruit snacks (gluten free, free of dyes, etc., made in a facility that DOES NOT process nuts)- they sell them at Costco and we are going to hand those out this year. They are sooo very yummy and inexpensive. If anything, I hope people will be inspired to think differently about Halloween, perhaps by deciding not to buy chocolate candy that is tied to slave labor in other parts of the world.
Maleah says
I think that many families LOVE that you do not give out candy! Check out this. http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/13/health/halloween-safety-food-allergies/
Tanya says
I just feel kids get cheated on the whole experience period compared to when we were kids. I remember you would get brownies wrapped up, apples, money and sometimes caramel corn balls! But you weren't trying to be poisoned then either. I am confused in my neighborhood. One year I bought candy no one came. Then another year they came and I had none! Ugh! I really don't know what to do this year...
Renee says
My kids eat candy all year long, so I'm all for the alternative...I will probably mix and match...this is great too cus you don't have to be afraid of the peanut free options!
Misty says
As a mom to a child who can't handle artificial food dyes, I am thankful to the people who hand out non-candy things that he can actually have. I end up having to take all the candy away anyway so that just makes him sad. Getting a glow stick makes us both happy! I'm actually going to do a bit of an experiment this year and have non-food things and YumEarth Organic lollipops. I am anxious to see which the trick or treaters reach for the most.
pamela duke says
I love the idea of handing out something other than candy on halloween! Children are given candy EVERYWHERE they turn! Church, school, bank, etc….. They will not be deprived by not getting candy. They would be better off for it. Sugar is toxic to the body. People need to be educated about the health dangers of sugar in order to fight the health epidemic that is present in this country. I love the recipes and the information that you provide to all of us. Thank you!
Jennie says
I got small bags of Angie's Boomchickapop sea salt popcorn, glow sticks and tattoos. Not giving out candy is also great for kids with nut allergies.
Angela says
Our local Earthfare does a trade in for candy to natural snacks ... Something to think about.
Dena says
Last year you inspired our family to skip the candy at our doorstep and it was a HUGE hit in our neighborhood. My husband joked that our house would end up toilet-papered, but no chance! We passed out glow sticks, spider rings, spooky pencils and stickers. The next morning at the bus stop it was a hot topic and everyone who stopped here seemed nothing but pleased. We will do it again this year. Thanks Lisa!
Brooke says
I love the idea of an alternative handout and especially the glow sticks. My children would love it and this momma would love a little less candy in the Halloween bag. As for the negative commenters, don't ever feel like you need to justify your choices to them. Everyone will have their "opinion" and it's just that, an opinion. As long as you are happy with your choice, that's all that matters
Julia Chicoskie says
Personally, I love the idea of giving non-food items and glow sticks are a great idea since children can use them to be more visible on Halloween. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are more than twice as likely to die from getting hit by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. Carrying flashlights or glow sticks helps cars see children who might be crossing streets while trick-or-treating. For more helpful tips to keep our children safe on Halloween, check their site out at http://www.safekids.org/halloween
Last year, one person passed out candy to kids and Bible verses to the parents. I loved that touch and that verse actually really spoke to me at that moment in my life! I say do what suits you and don't let people make you second-guess or feel bad about your choices.
AmyU says
On the subject of Halloween being "just one day": so is a birthday and valentines day and Easter and "how often do we (fill in the blank)? just this once won't hurt!" It goes on and on, and making the allowance becomes the norm. That's why it's not overboard to say no on Halloween. Ppl get upset with you, Lisa, because you trigger that response because they don't have your fortitude. And don't want their kids mad at them. It's less work for them (the parents) to get mad at you. Keep up the good work :)
Chris Hansley says
Several years ago I received an Oriental Trading catalogue. So for several years I purchased my Halloween give-a-ways from them. Several dozen for less than what the candy cost for fewer pieces. Over the years I have given: the puzzles that you have to put numbers in order and they have one open spot so you can move the pieces around; the puzzles that have 5 little balls and each ball is supposed to go into a little hole on the picture without the balls already in the holes moving. The year I gave out the "balls in the hole" puzzle I opened the door for the next bunch of kids and a teenager (14ish) that had come with the previous bunch of kids was leaning up against one of my porch posts trying to get all of the balls in the holes. I always had a few different items trying for age appropriateness.
P.S. When we do give candy, we always give candy we like so we will have the left-overs. We throw the left over chocolate into the freezer and take a piece when ever we have a craving for a piece.
Robbin says
We trick-or-treat and collect as much candy as we can. We dump in onto the counter (or ottoman) and get a picture of each child with their big pile of loot (they are SO proud!). Then we pick out a few pieces for them to eat. The rest gets put away to use for Christmas parade treats on the Girl Scout Christmas float.
Carrie says
Bottled water is NOT a good idea! From http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org : "Bottled water wastes fossil fuels in production and transport. Bottled water production in the United States used the energy equivalent of 32 and 54 million barrels of oil to produce and transport plastic water bottles in 2007—enough to fuel about 1.5 million cars for a year. Rather than being recycled, about 75 percent of the empty plastic bottles end up in our landfills, lakes, streams and oceans, where they may never fully decompose."
Brittany says
We are handing out boxes of crayons that I got for ten or twenty-five cents a box! We don't eat much candy and my daughter is only 2 so she doesn't know a difference yet. We are not going Trick-O-Treating this year.
I also love the idea of handing out water or juice boxes. Maybe next year!
Carrie says
Love the alternative ideas to candy.....can always use new ideas!! Although, one of the listed ideas kind of worries me....the syringe pens!! Our church is located in a very bad neighborhood where sometimes used drug needles end up in our garden and parking lot areas from the various drug houses located near our church. I wouldn't want kids to think those REAL SYRINGES lying around in various areas are "syringe pens" or fun toy pens & accidentally pick them up! Now that would truly be a SCARY thing! Our custodian does his best to clean-up those items around our church grounds but lots of places don't get picked up on a regular basis. Just was thinking I would share these concerns so people don't buy these kinds of treats for kids.
Kathy says
I just retired from teaching. I taught 1st and 3rd for almost 30 years. The day after Halloween or Valentine's Day were not good. Yes, it only happens once a year and I totally believe in letting kids be kids. They get so out of whack with all of the sugar in their systems. I have given out pencils or popcorn for years. I buy lots of pencils when they do the back to school sales and then give them out for Halloween. I usually hear, sweet, I needed a new pencil. I try to buy the fun ones. I have found packs of erasers to give out. I also have packs of microwave popcorn to give out as well.
Christina says
The last 2 years we have handed out waters or healthier juice boxes with a glow in the dark bracelet around it. Parents have LOVED it for their kids and kids have loved it too. They get a cold drink for the walk and a glow bracelet to walk with.
Melissa Moorman says
I am a firm believer that if you make it a big deal then it becomes a big deal. Eliminate candy and pass out glow sticks. That's great. Kids will love it. I understand why previous post on your blog offended you, but it seems to have been made in to a bigger deal then needed.
Kate says
My kids would be thrilled to get glow sticks. What a great idea!
We throw a significant amount of the candy away anyway.
Donna Watkins says
A few years ago, I found some packages of small decks of cards for playing fish and old maid, some small boxes of crayons, I believe, and I think there was something else. I know I had three or four items to hand out. I gave out candy to the older kids, but used the toys for the younger children. I believe I bought them at Costco, but I haven't seen them the past few years. I thought they were a great alternative and were something the children could use all year long.
Katie says
Having alternatives to candy like the toys mentioned also is a great way to better include kids with allergies. Allergies are a huge problem for many kids at Halloween and your ideas allow them to still participate without having to feel different or left out. I love the ideas and will be offering a variety of treats and toys this year.
Susan says
I give out little containers of play dough. The kids love them and I've never had one complaint.
Tricia says
Something that helped with the barrage of candy my kids would bring home was I'd offer them a penny (or nickel, when they got older) for each piece of candy that they'd trade in to me. My son usually traded in all of his candy. My daughter would trade in some. Anyway, it always led to a great discussion about food and life choices. They will be faced with donuts at the office or desserts at parties for the rest of their lives. It's all about making good choices. A wise friend of mine once said, "Think about what you want now, and what you want more." Getting past that impulse if often the battle. We always feel wiped out shortly after eating junk food.
Deb says
We participate in a community Trunk or Treat event each year. Last year, it drew close to 500 kids. I offer a mix of little toys and candy and the kids seem to go for the little toys more than the candy. Another plus to the non-candy items is the kids who have allergies can still get a treat. This year I have tattoos, bubbles, pencils, bracelets, reflective stickers, glow sticks, erasers, and Dracula teeth. I buy the non-candy items on clearance after Halloween and save them for the event.
Wendy says
My two children are grown now, but I somehow accumulated a huge box of little toys from fast food restaurants. I sorted and washed them off, placed in a box and let the kids pick out one. I always wondered why I saved these silly things....now I know!
Kia Tomovska says
Great idea Wendy, but would you like to email me after Halloween is past so I can get that box out of your hands for something in return of course
My son who is 3, watches all those toy opening videos on you tube and i'm sure he will be one very happy boy if he can have some of those toys form back in the years.
If it's not a trouble please email me at [email protected]
I'm sorry to get away from the subject everyone, I'm all for avoiding candy even on Halloween.
Nicole Flynn says
As a parent to a child with severe nut allergies, I think handing out non-food items is fantastic. The Food Allergy Research and Education organization started The Teal Pumpkin Project this year, which is a campaign to encourage people to hand out non-food treats. A pumpkin painted teal notifies trick-or-treaters with food allergies that the home is offering non-food items. This takes some of the stress out of Halloween, and still allows our kids to participate and have fun.
http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project
Melissa says
My son cant have chocolate due to acid reflux. We let him get candy and can exchange it at home for something else non candy. I always love the houses with no candy, I love to see other ideas while still keeping it fun. My kids love glows sticks! People who are negative are just being...negative. We have many Jehovah Witnesses in our neighborhood who don't believe in Halloween and I respect that too!