What Sort of Candy Will You Give out this Halloween?

Oct 4, 2011

I tend to put a lot of thought into the candy I give out at Halloween, even though I don't typically get many Trick or Treaters. But hey, that just means more candy for me to enjoy later. Here are some of my musings on Halloween treats:

Avoid healthy alternatives: Sure, it's great to care about kids' health, but guess who doesn't care about that? The Trick or Treaters themselves. They can probably get all the apples they want at home, so leave the healthy stuff to their parents.
Don't go for the cheapest candy: As a kid, I loved getting a big haul, but did I really want a ton of cheap lollipops? If you shop around, you can often find name-brand mini candies at a good price. Most kids would prefer one mini candy bar to a dozen lollipops any day.
Stay away from homemade treats: While you might be a creative and fantastic treat maker, most parents won't think so. In fact, 9 times out of 10, homemade treats end up in the trash.
Invest in more candy, not just decorations: If you live in a high-traffic area and love getting into the Halloween spirit, that's great! But consider allocating some of that budget you spend on fake spider webs to buy more candy. The kids aren't there to admire your decorations; they're running to your doorbell with dreams of chocolate and sugar. If you want to make an impression, go for a scary mask instead.
Keep it edible: Some houses have started giving out little toys instead of candy. Let's work together to stop that trend, shall we? Kids look forward to the candy, not the toys.