I need HELP! Trick-or-Treat...

[toledo13]

Hi everyone. This is the first year that I will NOT be giving out candy for Trick-or-Treat. Well, I don't want to anyway. This is the first year that my husband and I have REALLY taken a stand on what we buy (voting with our dollars, if you know what I mean) and candy (other than Dark Chocolate) has NOT been on our shopping lists. Because of HOW BAD most things are for kids, I don't want to give them candy for Trick-or-Treat. Are there any other ideas? I'm at a loss. It's like I want to find little packs of almonds or something to give them...

Does anyone know if there is individual packaged Dark Chocolate that doesn't cost a fortune???

 

[FarmDisney]

Another thought is small packages of pretzels. Our local grocery store always stocks them around Halloween.

You could also do pencils or erasers. Just some thoughts.

 

[jaminmd]

They sell individual packs of almonds at BJ's but that can get expensive if you have a lot of kids come by. We always have at least 100 kids, usually around 120, so for us it would be too expensive.

I've seen individual pretzels, popcorn bags, etc. There really isn't anything else healthy that I can think of. You could do something non candy, I suppose, like pencils. The kids won't like it but too bad, it's free!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

They sell party bags of play-doh, you could hand that out. Somebody makes serving size bags of microwave popcorn for Halloween, I think it's Act II.

 

[toledo13]

I could give boxes of raisins too maybe...

Is $0.25 a person (in dimes and nickles) a good idea? Or is that weird....?

 

[Perditamarie]

My kids love to receive prizes as well as treats! Consider:

* mini packages of playdoh
* pencils
* mini pack of cards -- saw a special package for Halloween or birthdays at BJs
* there are big assortments of small gumball machine toys at Orientaltrading.com
* stickers or tattoos

something they went crazy for last year;

snack size bag of chips, since they are a rare treat here!

 

[semo233]

check out Orientaltrading.com for a load of options

 

[Disneychix]

The mini packages of pretzles are common in recent years in our area.

I've also seen mini animal crackers.

 

[annagirl]

Stickers, pencils, erasers, temporary tattoos - all good items and no cavities!

 

[java]

One of our neighbors hands out....... get ready for this......

$5 a kid! yes ever since he started doing this our neighborhood gets PACKED.

I wouldn't hand out nuts. Too many allergies. Play dough is a great idea. Dark chocolate isn't that popular with the kid crowd. I think you can stay away from candy if you want.

Raisins? um are you looking to get egged? just kidding of course but I wouldn't hand those out.

My littlest guy was so excited to get his favorite treat from one house- Pirate Booty.

And my older ones liked the popcorn balls they got(packaged ones from walmart I think?)

 

[UCFALUM]

The local dentist used to hand out toothbrushes and small toothpastes.

 

[3boymthr]

If you like the dark chocolate thing you can buy the Dove Chocolate squares or Hershey's Kisses in Dark Chocolate. One piece of the Dove Chocolate does my kids for the night. It's very rich. There are about 30 pieces in a bag. I've gotten bags on sale for $3 at Target and sometimes you can get a coupon for it.

 

[Tink-n-MrIncredible]

If not too many children how about those little barrel drinks.

 

[PrincessParty]

One of our neighbors hands out....... get ready for this......

$5 a kid! yes ever since he started doing this our neighborhood gets PACKED.

I wouldn't hand out nuts. Too many allergies. Play dough is a great idea. Dark chocolate isn't that popular with the kid crowd. I think you can stay away from candy if you want.

Raisins? um are you looking to get egged? just kidding of course but I wouldn't hand those out.

My littlest guy was so excited to get his favorite treat from one house- Pirate Booty.

And my older ones liked the popcorn balls they got(packaged ones from walmart I think?)

And my kids thought they hit the "Mother Load" when they were "brave" enough to Trick or Treat at our local funeral home and got a full size candy bar.

Our pet stores sell gift certificates for a free feeder gold fish. That was different.

 

[toledo13]

And my kids thought they hit the "Mother Load" when they were "brave" enough to Trick or Treat at our local funeral home and got a full size candy bar.

Our pet stores sell gift certificates for a free feeder gold fish. That was different.

 

[Piecey]

We're doing pretzels/chips, I think.

This is our first year in this house and so I'm not sure what to expect. I want to be prepared but at the same time, if we're going to get stuck with something I want it to be something we'll use... DH can take leftover chips/pretzels in his lunch.

 

[Piecey]

double post.

 

[sksjasams]

Some non-candy items my DS has loved to receive are:
rice crispie treats (prepackaged)
small packs of goldfish crackers
mini-bags of microwave popcorn
packets of crystal light drink mix
small bags of chips

Not that any of these are healthy either, really, but they are a nice change from candy.

Some kids, including my DS, do love dark chocolate, so he gets some in his Christmas stocking and Easter basket.

 

[JeMarie6]

I live in Iowa, so of course it starts getting colder around here, so we've seen and liked individual packet of hot cocoa!

 

[FergieTCat]

My mom used to make (with my assistance) paper jack-o-lanterns with nickels taped on for the nose. I'm sure that would be 25 cents in today's market.

Also, in my neck of the woods, CVS often sells those 10 chocolate bars packs for $1.00. That would only be 10 cents a bar. Or maybe some Hershey's kisses? Those are sealed and fairly cheap.