Do you ever give out anything other than candy to trick-or-treaters?

[luvflorida]

I usually stick to just candy, but have given out spider rings, small plastic skeletons and snack size bags of chips in the past. And, the past few years, I've been giving out juice boxes along with candy. I keep a large cooler filled with ice and various flavors of juice pouches or boxes right inside the door and let the kids choose the ones they want. I also usually give toddlers/babies Halloween-themed crackers or cookies instead of candy. This year, I have little bags of Annie's Halloween Bunny Grahams.

Anyone giving out something other than candy this year? or in the past? I remember trick-or-treating as a kid (many, many years ago) and as much as I loved candy, I also liked finding a Halloween pencil or some such thing in with my treats. Maybe I was just a weird kid!

 

[TanyaS]

One year I offered crayons or colored pencils as a choice to the candy (I had stocked up at the back to school sales when a 24 pack of Crayola was about 25 cent). Only a few kids picked the crayons or pencils over the candy option.

 

[Cruisin]

For many years I handed out already activated glow bracelets to the kids along with their candy.

Most of them really liked that and it was an added bit of safety for them, making them more visible in the dark.

 

[Art 1]

No.

 

[JessicaR]

I usually stick to candy. A few years I had cheese and cracker packs, granola bars, raisins and let the kids choose. My neighbor is a dentist and he gives the kids a toothbrush. My kids were always excited about the toothbrush!

 

[Jedana]

I have stuff left from DS's birthday party and our scout pack's Blue & Gold that I may throw into buckets.

Chinese finger traps (I bought 72 for $8 on Amazon--a much better deal than 12 for $5!); Fortune telling fish (you know, they curl up in your hand a certain way and that tells you your fortune--got 144 for $8); tattoos (cute animals for the little ones, butterflies for girls; pretty yucky ones for the boys--bad sharks, dinosaurs, skeletons).


Other than that--no, we usually do just candy. I have Dum Dums and Smarties for the little ones. Warheads, Skittles, etc for the mid ranged kids.

For the older (teen) kids with no costumes, I bought those black and orange wrapped candies. *yuck* (At least pretend to get dressed up, sheesh). And the older teens that still come ring the bell after 9pm, when the light is off.


DS says the best Halloween treats he has ever received were the small cans of soda, full size candy bars, and the house that let you grab (blindly) money from a bucket--he dug through all the change to the bottom and found bills--ended up with about $10.

 

[DaisyLynn]

I always have little goody bags filled with candy and non-candy items.

This years bag includes Halloween themed pencils and 2 erasers (1 ghost, 1 pumpkin), Swedish Fish or Sour Patch Kids, a couple of Tootsie Pops and two pieces of chocolate candy (Snickers, Milky Way, Kit Kat, Reese's PB cups, M&Ms or Hershey bars). I make 60 of these, and once they're gone, then it's a piece of chocolate candy and a Tootsie Pop to each kid. 60 SHOULD cover it, though.

I LOVE Halloween!

 

[Stitchfans]

One year I handed out plastic bat & skull rings.
Another year small microwave popcorn bags.
Otherwise, usually always candy.
Since no one comes down our road I no longer have to worry about buying anything at all.

 

[wvjules]

I alternate between rocks and religious pamphlets and toothbrushes.

 

[cabanafrau]

I usually stick to candy. A few years I had cheese and cracker packs, granola bars, raisins and let the kids choose. My neighbor is a dentist and he gives the kids a toothbrush. My kids were always excited about the toothbrush!

When we moved into this house years ago when our kids were small and found out there was a dentist living across the street, we were so excited to see what happened when it was Halloween. No toothbrushes. Kit Kats, M&M's, Skittles, etc.

We'd almost think he was trying to drum up business, except none of it has been sticky like Milk Duds or Bit 'O Honeys or anything obviously likely to pull out a filling or something.

 

[cabanafrau]

I alternate between rocks and religious pamphlets and toothbrushes.

You're letting the buckets of free political mailers that are pouring in go to waste? How on earth are these kids going to become informed voters if you don't pass on the bounty of the season?

 

[wvjules]

You're letting the buckets of free political mailers that are pouring in go to waste? How on earth are these kids going to become informed voters if you don't pass on the bounty of the season?

Good idea! I'll add those to my goodie bags.

 

[lynxstch]

.


DS says the best Halloween treats he has ever received were the small cans of soda, full size candy bars, and the house that let you grab (blindly) money from a bucket--he dug through all the change to the bottom and found bills--ended up with about $10.

When I was a kid (many many years ago, lol!) , a man in our neighborhood used to give out Silver Dollars to the first 50 or so kids. Needless to say, he was one of the most popular houses. I also remember getting full size candy bars. When we lived in town, we did the full size candy bars for a few years, now we are out in the county, there's no trick or treating, as there are no sidewalks and no streetlights. I miss seeing all the kids in their costumes!

 

[Pigeon]

I alternate between rocks and religious pamphlets and toothbrushes.

We're getting the eggs and shaving cream and heading on over to your house!

 

[bankgirl05]

Last year I bought glow bracelets/necklaces and small cans of playdoh, and had 2 trick-or-treaters!!!

Since we are going to be on the road to WDW (!!!!!!) right after school on Halloween, I will not be giving out candy... I am just slightly bummed since it is our first Halloween in our new house. Oh wait, I'm over it!!!!

I will be leaving a big bowl of candy for my doggie sitter though, just in case she gets any trick or treaters while she is here, I don't want the whole world knowing we are away for a week, or the kids thinking we're the stingy bah-halloween-humbug house!!! I will just reuse the candy from my kids Trick or treat event at our local zoo... Heaven Knows we will probably be bringing home a TON from MNSSHP...

Then when I get back, I will be taking all of the unsused candy to a friend of mine, who runs a non-profit, sending packages to our military overseas!!!

 

[Kristibo42]

We do goodie bags with candy, spider rings, pencils, erasers & stickers. we only get about 10 kids.

 

[mtemm]

when mine were very young and we had a lot of young toddlers in the neighborhood, I bought lots of individual bags of teddy grahams/animal crackers/goldfish to hand out, along with candy for the older kids. The parents seemed to appreciate it and the kids loved it! I still keep a few on hand for any little ones who happen by. Mostly, though, its candy. This year for the first time I am going with full size bars. This is strictly for self preservation! I have a wicked sweet tooth and have no problem with grabbing one or two or three fun size candies, but always think twice before opening a full size bar.

 

[bankgirl05]

We're getting the eggs and shaving cream and heading on over to your house!

and toilet paper too... I'll be there with you!

 

[Fly4free]

For many years I handed out already activated glow bracelets to the kids along with their candy.

Most of them really liked that and it was an added bit of safety for them, making them more visible in the dark.

We have a neighbor that hands them out to the kids every year. They are very popular. It's a wonderful idea!!

 

[powellrj]

We don't do trick or treat at our house any more since our church does trunk or treat. Since we usually have several hundred kids, I will pick up things on sale after halloween for the next year. Last year my family made me feel so guilty giving away pencils, rings and bracelets that I went out and got candy too. The first kid through the line said "cool pencils!" and most kids acted happy with the rings and bracelets that this year I am only giving out the pencils and jewelry.