Dmmetler Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I found a bunch of glow bracelets at a local Bargain Hunt store (for those who don't have them, they sell overstocks, non-defective returns, box damaged in shipping, and similar items-usually new items with original warranty, but in really lousy looking packaging.) and bought them for trick or treating, knowing that my DD LOVES those things as do most kids I know. And it's a lot less damaging to my waistline to have glow sticks around instead of candy. It was also cheap-about $20 for enough for 500 kids-and that's what we typically get since we're right across from an elementary school. I also figure it will help the kids be safer and more visible, which is a really, really good thing. DH thinks we need to get some candy, too-that any non-candy treat looks cheap and isn't what kids want. I can't see the need. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I tend to do a mix of candy and non-candy. I find the moms of younger kids appreciate the alternative and the older kids like a choice (although most pick the candy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I don't do non-candy treats only because I don't like most of the halloween stuff out. Most of it is cheap plastic with no use except 5 minutes of play. If I found glow bracelets for a good price I'd definitely hand those out to trick-or-treaters, though! Over here I hand out Yummy Earth lollipops. We don't have trick or treaters, so these are for my kids in clubs and classes. They're the only things I found that were allergy-proof for the range of kids I have that are corn/nut/dye/dairy/soy/gluten-free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I said a mix is better, but I think just handing out glow sticks/bracelets is fine too. Just don't hand out toothbrushes. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnMama Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I always give candy. Glow sticks might go over OK, but pencils or toothbrushes could get your pumpkins smashed ;). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arstephia Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 We handed out juice boxes (store-brand Capri-Sun type) and spider rings last year and they were a HUGE hit. Several of the kids said, "Oh I am dying of thirst. Thanks!" So we will do that again. One house we went to did glow sticks and those appeared to go over well too. So this year I am doing the juice boxes and glow sticks with my leftover spider rings. I am with you. I don't want the candy in the house either. In fact my kids "donate" their stash (except for 10 pieces they each choose to keep for themselves) to my husband's work candy bowl that they have out for customers and they get to trade it in for something they've been wanting - usually used video games, a new book, or a craft item so nothing too pricey. I think your idea is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 We handed out juice boxes (store-brand Capri-Sun type) and spider rings last year and they were a HUGE hit. Several of the kids said, "Oh I am dying of thirst. Thanks!" So we will do that again. One house we went to did glow sticks and those appeared to go over well too. So this year I am doing the juice boxes and glow sticks with my leftover spider rings. I am with you. I don't want the candy in the house either. In fact my kids "donate" their stash (except for 10 pieces they each choose to keep for themselves) to my husband's work candy bowl that they have out for customers and they get to trade it in for something they've been wanting - usually used video games, a new book, or a craft item so nothing too pricey. I think your idea is great. My kids are always thankful for the juice boxes or caprisun. they also don't mine getting chips and one family hands our bags of animal crackers for little ones and snack bags of oreos and/or pretzels for the older children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Glow sticks would be good, but I usually only give candy because most Halloween toys are cheap junk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I always go traditional with candy kit kats and m&m's this year. My kids always like the non candy stuff also. the Wendy cards for a free frosty are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Yes, non-candy treats are okay, but it is not what I do. ;) So I voted Cupcakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I think toys are fine - my kids think they are neat to get. Personally, I buy candy that I hate so I don't eat it. That would be candy without chocolate or caramel or peanut butter. But I hate Butterfingers and anything with coconut, so those are OK too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I think toys are fine - my kids think they are neat to get. Personally, I buy candy that I hate so I don't eat it. That would be candy without chocolate or caramel or peanut butter. But I hate Butterfingers and anything with coconut, so those are OK too. :tongue_smilie: Kids hate Butterfingers too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I said a mix is better, but I think just handing out glow sticks/bracelets is fine too. Just don't hand out toothbrushes. :tongue_smilie: I buy candy, really good candy, the candy DH and I most loved to get in our own bags as kids (well, except candy cigarettes :tongue_smilie:). But my kids would love the glow bracelets and I wouldn't get anything else if I were you. You might have some irate tweens/teens though, as the novelty wears off with age. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 :tongue_smilie: Kids hate Butterfingers too. :toetap05: Take that back! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 :toetap05: Take that back! :D :lol: I always put the Butterfingers in the "yucky!" pile along with the peanut butter chews and root beer barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 :lol: I always put the Butterfingers in the "yucky!" pile along with the peanut butter chews and root beer barrels. I am very sorry we are not neighbors. :( :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Last year I did ittty bitty water bottles from Costco. I had more people tell me that was the best idea. I have candy for the people who don't know us, and home made treats for the other thousand that know our house makes goodies. We are doing white chocolate mold lollipops in the shape of ghosts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 :lol: I always put the Butterfingers in the "yucky!" pile along with the peanut butter chews and root beer barrels. What the heck is wrong with you people!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I said cupcakes because I always do candy, but I think non-candy (whether juice boxes, pretzels, pencils, stickers, or whatever) or a mix is fine. And I don't know what's wrong with you anti-butterfinger people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIE! Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 One year we got a mix of glow bracelets and candy. All the glow bracelets got picked before anybody chose the candy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I didn't want to say "yes, it's what I do" because I'd personally hand out candy. However, I do think non-candy treats can be okay for people to hand out, too, and in your specific case, I think glow bracelets are great! My kids would love getting those. I don't think you HAVE to go buy candy, too. They'll get plenty of candy at other houses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebra Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I don't know...it's nice when everyone hands out something different. But, sitting at home eating cupcakes sound like the best option to me :lol:! I always buy candy and some sort of snack like goldfish crackers. I (ideally) give every kid one of each. Then hopefully everyone is happy ;)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyforlatin Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 In our area, it's a treat to get glow sticks/bracelets and little flashlights. They are the first to run out and kids who miss out look longingly at them. Maybe I have a younger kid so I'm more sensitive, worried that DD won't get one. She doesn't care about the candies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I don't do non-candy treats only because I don't like most of the halloween stuff out. Most of it is cheap plastic with no use except 5 minutes of play. If I found glow bracelets for a good price I'd definitely hand those out to trick-or-treaters, though! Over here I hand out Yummy Earth lollipops. We don't have trick or treaters, so these are for my kids in clubs and classes. They're the only things I found that were allergy-proof for the range of kids I have that are corn/nut/dye/dairy/soy/gluten-free. I wish I could hug you! Those are some of the only candies we can have due to allergies. Trick or treating is miserable for us because all the candy is unsafe. I get so frustrated for my kids! We don't do candy at our house. We turn off our light and have our own party with safe snacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Glowsticks are a GREAT idea! My son would love that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 I said cupcakes because I always do candy, but I think non-candy (whether juice boxes, pretzels, pencils, stickers, or whatever) or a mix is fine. And I don't know what's wrong with you anti-butterfinger people. When I was little, I thought the "butter" in Butterfingers referred to actual butter. I've since eaten them but still can't get past that first impression :tongue_smilie:. I wish I could get our neighbors to give out crispy slices of bacon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Every time I have tried to give out non-candy items, they end up dumped in our front yard. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabrizia Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 My kids love glow sticks and bracelets and loved the house that gave them out last year. Honestly I even liked the house that gave out toothbrushes when I was a kid, cool a new toothbrush. Sure I loved the house that gave out the full sized candy bars more, but I was happy with whatever I got. I picked cupcake, because we normally hand out candy, though I do keep small containers of bubbles for anyone who asks for a non-candy treat (no one ever has, but I feel better having them anyways, and my kids love bubbles so they will use them up anyways). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Most of the time we are not home but I try to have treats on hand in case someone comes up before we leave. Normally it is candy and something we (specifically dh ;)) likes. My kiddos would like glow sticks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Candy. I agree with your DH, non-candy treats tend to be cheap crap and would end up in the garbage quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugalmama Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 We don't normally hand out, but when I do it's the McDonald's Halloween coupons. They are $1 for 3 sets, and each set gets a free cone, milk, apple slices and burger. They are a BIG hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpoy85 Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 One year someone gave out hot dogs and pop rather than candy, that was neat! Id do the alternative if you wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitnaptime Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 One year someone gave out hot dogs and pop rather than candy, that was neat! Id do the alternative if you wanted. That sounds fun! Just have the grill set up in the driveway. One year we did little tubs of play dough for the toddlers/preschoolers. My kids would love the glow bracelets. Even if the kids don't wear them, their candy buckets glow on the inside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 I buy little bags of pretzels and some candy. I let the kids pick which they want. I am amazed at how many kids pick the pretzels. Glow sticks might be a big hit. I could go either way on that. I am often the only house on my block handing out treats, and I can imagine if people came here and got a glow stick, they might be disappointed. But, if I were one house among many, then I would go for the glow sticks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 I wish I could hug you! Those are some of the only candies we can have due to allergies. Trick or treating is miserable for us because all the candy is unsafe. I get so frustrated for my kids! We don't do candy at our house. We turn off our light and have our own party with safe snacks. :( I don't like kids feeling left out. My oldest had a terrible chocolate intolerance when he was little and it really sucks to have to tell a kid they can't have the treat everyone else gets. I buy a huge bin of the lollys and then portion out the rest to the allergy moms in November to take home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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