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The Only Halloween Candy I'll Buy (Plus Other Alternatives)

I am actually not even handing out candy this year, but if I were going to there's only one type of candy I'd be spending my money on.

Check out my recent Charlotte Today Show clip below to see...

  • The "cleanest" Halloween candy on the market.
  • What I am going to hand out this year.
  • Other fun alternatives to candy.
  • What my daughters would choose out of all these ideas.

Plus for those who know us you better watch out because my 8-year-old now thinks she is "famous" after her 5 (silent) minutes on TV during this clip. The girls were just going to the studio to watch me do this segment, but at the last minute (to their delight) they were invited to join us on stage. :)

Oh and PS - I know the mention of handing out "bouillon cubes" seems really random, but the host (Colleen) was joking about giving those out earlier in the show! Definitely don't hand those out - ha!

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9.9K shares

About Lisa Leake

Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.

Comments

  1. susan says

    October 15, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    In year's past, we've done small bags of snack popcorn, mad-libs, playing cards (party favor sizes) or priate booty. May not be all "real food" but have been trying to avoid the candy hoopla. Our school also does a candy buyback program with the local dentist - they donate buy it for $X per pound as a fundraiser. I tell my girls they can keep 20 pieces and they bring the rest to school. And usually, they only get a few pieces and we throw much of it away.

    Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    October 15, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    Last year I bought granola bars, pirate booty and candy. We actually leave our bowl unattended on our porch while we go house to house with the kids... the pirate booty and granola bars were the 1st to go!!!! I was sort of bummed b/c I intended them to be lunch bag treats for my son!

    Reply
  3. Fan says

    October 15, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    Where did you get that wooden(?) basket on the left of the screen? I was looking for something that wasn't plastic.

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      October 17, 2013 at 8:46 am

      Hi Fan. Not sure about that one in particular but I have seen similar baskets at Michael's and Hobby Lobby. ~Amy

      Reply
  4. Food Babe says

    October 15, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    Oh my goodness - she thinks she is famous and she is. SO ADORABLE! :)

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 8:55 pm

      LOL - Did you catch how big her smile was at one point when she realized the camera was back on her! She has told everyone about her 5 minutes of fame. It has been cracking me up!

      Reply
  5. Liz says

    October 15, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    Your daughters are so adorable...

    Do you never mention their names in order to protect their privacy? I've written baby name books so I just have an avid interest in these things. I've come up with my own names for them since it hasn't been revealed :P

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    October 15, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    For the past couple of years we have ordered the Brothers-All-Natural dried fruit chips and it has been a BIG hit! They do a special bag for the apple chips at Halloween! I had first discovered them when sending healthy food to my husband when he was deployed. I have found it is less expensive to order on-line and have it shipped. They weigh nothing. I get a couple of cases. Last year I mixed it up and gave out apple chips and peach chips. Never have left-overs, but if I did they would be healthy to still have around the house for us! Love them :-)

    Reply
  7. Michele West says

    October 15, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    Love the glow stick idea! I think I'll hit up the Dollar Store today.

    Reply
  8. Desiree Graham says

    October 15, 2013 at 3:27 pm

    In my old neighborhood one of the houses gave out cute kid toothbrushes! Very appropriate considering the holiday! I am sure if you plan ahead you could buy them in bulk to make them more affordable. I have also seen where they have smaller versions with minimal packaging to lower cost as well.

    Reply
  9. Kala M. says

    October 15, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Great ideas! I found out about UnReal candy earlier this year and loved it. I've had the peanut butter cups, knock-off Snickers and knock-off Milky Ways. I think in some ways they almost taste better than the name brand items that everyone buys. The chocolate seems creamier to me. I've noticed them popping up in more stores lately and have even seen coupons in some of the flyers. Glad that it is starting to get out there and become a larger company. Now if they could just find a way to make unjunked Starburst and Skittles type candy. :)

    Reply
  10. Anna says

    October 15, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    we get between 300-350 kids at our door every year so a lot of non-candy options are quite cost prohibitive. We bought playdoh from costco in the tiny containers (not the best because of the plastic but cheap and not candy), stickers, glowsticks....we do usually end up giving out some candy but we generally give it to the older kids.

    Reply
  11. Michele says

    October 15, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    Years ago my husband ended up home on Halloween unexpectctedly & had no candy to give out. So he raked up a bowl full of acorns in the back yard & sat with them on the front porch with the lights out. He dropped a handful of acorns in each kids container & in the dark no one could tell whist it was. Makes for funny stories this time of year.

    Reply
  12. Jessica says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    That was so great to see you and your girls showing how you can think outside of the candy box on Halloween! I will definitely be borrowing your ideas for my trick or treaters! Thanks so much for this website!

    Reply
  13. Laura says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    What are some local places to purchase glow sticks? Loved the ideas!

    Reply
    • Allie C says

      October 15, 2013 at 3:04 pm

      The Dollar Tree carries the glow sticks and I've also seen them at Wal-Mart in the birthday section where you find all their decorations. Both places have pretty much the same price.

      Reply
  14. Rose says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    Yay! How cool! We don't get any trick-or-treaters, but if we did, I would totally hand out those little toys. Heck, I would probably spend all night playing with them myself!

    Reply
  15. Ladybug says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    We pass out juice as well as clementine "pumpkins". It gets hot here in Florida and the parents are so happy that it's NOT CANDY. :)

    Reply
  16. Kristina says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Last year a Neighbour had a bowl of plastic bugs and let the kids each pick one. My 5 year old son still has his in his box of favourite toys. I've seen big bags at the Dollar Store. Think we will do that this year, along with some fruit leather.

    Reply
  17. Annie says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    When you do the glow sticks, do you "pop" them first so they are already glowing, or let the kids do that?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 2:51 pm

      Yes, I do light them up first!

      Reply
  18. Judy says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    We are passing out glow sticks this year- my kids love them, and since we live in a neighborhood that doesn't have street lights, I figure it can't hurt.
    You mentioned the "Switch Witch" in your video clip- I looked for it, and can't find it, can you post a link, please? Thank you so much!! :)

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      October 17, 2013 at 8:38 am

      Hi Judy. Here is the Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=638530146191331&set=pb.111437015567316.-2207520000.1381857818.&type=3&theater. ~Amy

      Reply
  19. Rebecca Jo says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:04 pm

    I LOVE this... the glow sticks & the bowl of vampire fangs & jewelry is awesome!!!

    Reply
  20. Heidi says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    Great job on the segment, Lisa. Now, let's get you on the "national" Today show! So I took your inspiration from a few weeks ago when you posted that you were buying glow sticks for your Halloween handout this year. I bought the glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth and my boys are absolutely BONKERS over this! My 6 year old told me the other day that these are WAY better than candy. And he is more excited about the homemade merengue ghosts and popcorn balls I will be making this year than the thought of getting a bunch of junk, manufactured candy. You are awesome, thank you.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 2:52 pm

      Maybe one day - thanks for the vote of confidence! :)

      Reply
  21. Tricia says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    We've been candy-free for a couple of years, and we're one of the most popular houses on the block. This year I've got an assortment of cool pencils, tattoos, glow in the dark bouncy balls and glow sticks. The kids of all ages love it, and it's less expensive than candy anyway!

    Reply
  22. Denise says

    October 15, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    Great ideas, and your daughters are adorable and so well behaved!

    Reply
  23. Christina says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    My mom hasn't given out candy on Halloween for years. She gives out toys and things like that. She used to buy things from Oriental Trading. One year my dad & sister went to Mardi Gras and she saved all the bead necklaces and gave those out to the girls. Not once has she had a complaint (or her house egged ;-)) and more often than not, the kids 'ooh' & 'awww' in delight. Even the older ones.

    Reply
  24. Mary says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    Had already been planning on glow sticks as well!

    Reply
  25. Carrie says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Such great ideas. Thank you so much! We went camping this past weekend and there was Trick o Treating. I set up a basket of raisins, candy, and play doh. Surprisingly, the play doh was the first to go, even with the older kids. Thank you for everything you are doing and for sharing. You are doing an outstanding job!

    Reply
  26. Aliesha says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    I love the idea of handing out glowsticks! I think that will be my plan this year.

    Reply
  27. Mary Beth says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    Love the ideas! I'm also do glow items and have some stickers for the really young ones. I will have a little candy too but have always been amazed how excited kids are to have non-candy options! Great job. :)

    Reply
  28. Brandi says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    LOL love this post but noticed the captioning had some mistakes, the bullion cubes turned into bully him lol I think we're doing the glow in the dark teeth and glow sticks

    Reply
  29. cherylene wallace says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    I also let the kids eat some candy on Halloween night but another thing we do is take half the candy down to our local dentist. The dentist gives the kids $1 per pound and then in turn they take the candy and send it to the troops over seas so that they have a treat. My kids LOVE This. They feel like they are doing something nice for the soldiers and it's a bonus that they get a little cash too. Just a thought for those that are looking for another way to rid the candy.

    Reply
  30. Sarah Hinckley says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    Loved the interview. Love the website and FB page. :) Keep up the good work. I love the idea of the switch witch. I would have preferred $10 on Halloween to a sore stomach the next day any year! Give me about 4 reese's cups, and I'm set til the next year! :) Happy Halloween!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 1:28 pm

      Thank you! :)

      Reply
  31. Amy van den Dijssel says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    Great segment! Don't forget about the candy buyback for the troops too:

    http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com/

    I let my girls pick a few items of candy and the rest goes to our troops abroad. You can find the closest participating dentist near you on the website.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 1:27 pm

      Yes, thank you for adding that link here. So much to say in so little time on those TV segments!

      Reply
  32. Laura says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    Honestly how many pixie sticks and skittles does a kid need?! At the last block party we had I gave all the kids glow sticks and they went nuts over them. Unfortunately, my husband is afraid the teenagers may egg our house if we give those out at Halloween ... I say let them, but he insisted on a regular ol' bag of candy at Costco. I will still sneak a few non-candy treats in there and see what the kids go for! ;)

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 1:27 pm

      I think raisins, apples or toothbrushes might be pushing it, but I can't imagine any kids being upset over glow sticks!

      Reply
      • Laura says

        October 15, 2013 at 1:32 pm

        That's what I said! And that gives me an idea, maybe those teenagers who throw on a mask and go out to get free candy should get a separate bowl to choose from (full of toothbrushes and kale chips ... hee hee.)

  33. Denise says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    Also wanted to add that one year at school my daughter signed up to bring goody bags for the class for their fall party and we bought clementines and with a sharpie drew pumpkin faces on them. Those were a big hit, especially when you put them in a plastic cup with a couple of other goodies.

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 1:26 pm

      Yes, I have seen that done! And we actually have some food grade markers on hand...hoping we can try it this year ourselves.

      Reply
  34. Danielle says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    That was such a great interview! You're really starting a revolution here. Doin' great things!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 1:26 pm

      Awww...thank you!

      Reply
  35. Vicki says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    You can't even take your kids to work with you without somebody giving them candy without even asking you. I can't believe the TV host did that!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      October 15, 2013 at 1:22 pm

      If you listen carefully, she did ask if it was ok.

      Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 1:25 pm

      I know what you are saying, but in this situation I am the one who bought/brought the candy. And just for the record I totally intended to let my daughters have 1 piece after the segment anyway so it really was okay with me :)

      Reply
  36. Denise says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Great Video and ideas. Having done Halloween now for the past 13 years with kids. I agree with the glow sticks/teeth etc. Another thing they loved that I started when we had over 100 kids come to the door one year. I buy those little paper bags that you can get at Walgreens/target, they are about 40 per pkg. I would put like 1 dum dum sucker, 1 glow stick, 1 toy and sometimes a piece of chocolate in it and fold over the top. Sooo many kids were loving just the fact that they were getting a bag, even the teenagers!

    My grandma used to give out a small 3 musketeers and a nickle or dime. All the kids loved that!

    Reply
  37. Lindsey says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Good suggestions!

    But I'd be concerned about the (very possible and probable) toxins and, like phthalates, in the plastic vampire teeth... :)

    Reply
  38. Chrissy says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Great ideas! Can you post the link to the Switch Witch poem, please?

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      Here you go! :) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=638530146191331&set=pb.111437015567316.-2207520000.1381857818.&type=3&theater

      Reply
  39. Tracy Richardson says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    Love. Love. Love. What great alternatives to candy. Thanks, Lisa!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      October 15, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      Thank YOU! :)

      Reply
  40. Courtney @ FamilyGoneHealthy says

    October 15, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    We will be giving out mini bags of pretzels this year. Not perfect as far as ingredients, but way better than most mass-marketed candy and not too expensive either.

    Reply
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