I've noticed a couple discussions this past week on what to hand out for Halloween. I'm happy to see that people are noticing the problems associated with handing out candy (allergies, choosing what candy, teeth rotting...) and that they are looking for something else to hand out. I know it's changing tradition, but sometimes change is good :)
My first Halloween on my own I purchased several items for a Regal catalogue and spent the time to make actual gift bags to hand out. Of course I lived in an apartment in a small town and I think I had maybe 2 or 3 kids stop by, so it was very reasonable. It also only cost me less then $1 for each bag full of goodies, but with inflation I'm not sure that can be done anymore... I then used those same items for a few more years, I've never had many visitors.
Last year my daughter went out early so when she came back I took out everything she couldn't eat due to allergies and added that to my bowl of suckers by the door. I had so much left over that I just don't think I'll buy more candy.
Here are my ideas for what you can hand out that isn't candy, then if you have lots left you can hand it out again next year.
-erasers. Parents usually buy the boring erasers for school, so grabbing a few packs at the Dollar Store and seperating them can get you something to hand out (packs of 5-6 are only $1) that will last them longer then the night and they will think it's a great treat. I even used to collect special erasers.
-Halloween toys/rings. These can range from small slinkies to tiny plastic bugs. They can be purchased at local dollar stores or similar stores, and may still be available through some catalogue order companies.
-stickers. Simply cut them into sets of one or two and hand them out. This also works with temporary tattoos
-pencils
-toothbrushes
-small juiceboxes
I'm sure all parents have items that they don't like to see in their childrens bags. My least favorites are gummy candies, both because she can't eat most of them so I have to take them away anyway, but also because they are soooo bad for a child's teeth. I don't like toffee candies for the same reason. Kit Kat and Coffee Crisp are great if you are worried about allergies, and they brush off the teeth easily. I also don't like finding foods that aren't sealed. Apples seem like a great idea, but I've no idea how clean that is after she's carted it around for a while, it's like sending her to the park with an open sandwich back and wondering what will come back inside it.
If you have a home business that involves children I think it is perfectly acceptable to put a little card or discount coupon in a basket for the moms, or to tie one to a sucker. It may seem pushy to some, but to others it's a great way to get to know their neighbors.
My first Halloween on my own I purchased several items for a Regal catalogue and spent the time to make actual gift bags to hand out. Of course I lived in an apartment in a small town and I think I had maybe 2 or 3 kids stop by, so it was very reasonable. It also only cost me less then $1 for each bag full of goodies, but with inflation I'm not sure that can be done anymore... I then used those same items for a few more years, I've never had many visitors.
Last year my daughter went out early so when she came back I took out everything she couldn't eat due to allergies and added that to my bowl of suckers by the door. I had so much left over that I just don't think I'll buy more candy.
Here are my ideas for what you can hand out that isn't candy, then if you have lots left you can hand it out again next year.
-erasers. Parents usually buy the boring erasers for school, so grabbing a few packs at the Dollar Store and seperating them can get you something to hand out (packs of 5-6 are only $1) that will last them longer then the night and they will think it's a great treat. I even used to collect special erasers.
-Halloween toys/rings. These can range from small slinkies to tiny plastic bugs. They can be purchased at local dollar stores or similar stores, and may still be available through some catalogue order companies.
-stickers. Simply cut them into sets of one or two and hand them out. This also works with temporary tattoos
-pencils
-toothbrushes
-small juiceboxes
I'm sure all parents have items that they don't like to see in their childrens bags. My least favorites are gummy candies, both because she can't eat most of them so I have to take them away anyway, but also because they are soooo bad for a child's teeth. I don't like toffee candies for the same reason. Kit Kat and Coffee Crisp are great if you are worried about allergies, and they brush off the teeth easily. I also don't like finding foods that aren't sealed. Apples seem like a great idea, but I've no idea how clean that is after she's carted it around for a while, it's like sending her to the park with an open sandwich back and wondering what will come back inside it.
If you have a home business that involves children I think it is perfectly acceptable to put a little card or discount coupon in a basket for the moms, or to tie one to a sucker. It may seem pushy to some, but to others it's a great way to get to know their neighbors.