From the article: Sugar Free Xylitol
Do you hand out an alternative to candy Halloween night?
Halloween can be a scary time for parents, considering the amount of candy that returns home after a long night of trick-or-treating.
Although rare, there are some brave people out there that refuse to hand out candy, and offer trick-or-treaters an alternative to Halloween candy.
If you choose to hand out a candy alternative Halloween night, what type of reaction do you get from the trick-or-treaters? What kind of alternative to you hand-out? Share your suggestions with readers that may be looking for Halloween candy alternatives this year.
Pretzels
- I was so happy to find a big bag of Snyder's pretzels in individual, 1 oz bags. There were about 30 in the big bag and I got them at Walmart. Even kids want a break from all the candy sweetness.
- —Guest Ms. Jay
Halloween Treats
- I've read that raisins are actually worse for your teeth than candy, because they stick to the teeth more, while sugar is washed away. I had to pass out raisins once, because the store shelves were completely bare of candy. As the kids were walking off my porch, I heard some of them say, "She's passing out RAISINS (like--yuck!)" Quite honestly, if I want a chocolate bar, I want a chocolate bar, not something healthy.
- —JodiMH3
Books for Treats
- Last year I gave out books. The kids were so excited and the parents very appreciative. This year I plan to do the same. You can get children's books very cheaply through the year at garage sales and thrift stores and library sales. Some of the older children were picking out books for their younger siblings. Sweet.
- —Guest Julie
candy alternatives
- These are great ideas! I've usually just handed out fruit--without enthusiastic responses.
- —Guest sharon crew
Alternative to Halloween candies!
- I remember one Halloween in the "80's", I gave each "little scary guests!" a toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste and naturally a small treat wrapped up in the same package! Parents were very pleased... and perhaps, so was their dentist!
- —Guest maguy10
Raisins and cheese crackers
- This year we are handing out little boxes of raisins and bags of Goldfish crackers. My husband is diabetic, so we are trying to limit sugar in the house. Plus, we can use the leftovers for school lunches. In the past, the kids have liked the variety when they've received a few items that weren't candy. We'll see how it goes!
- —Guest Just Me
ALTERNATIVE TO HALLOWEEN CANDY
- For the little kids I give a small Play-Do and chocolate covered raisins. The warehouse stores usually have a special Halloween pack of the little Play-Do.
- —Guest Cindy
Money or Candy
- We save all of our pennies throughout the year and put them out in a big bowl on the porch alongside the candy. We have found that kids today have so much access to candy that they often are excited to go for the money.
- —Guest BBB
