What to give when you’re out of sugar
My main beef with Halloween candy is that you can’t DIY it. The razor blade inside candy urban legend made sure that we looked to corporations for candy safety. Somehow the fact that the main candy brands have been on trial for using forced and child labor in their chocolate making fails to get around the way that razor blade myth did. Despite the questionable labor practices, I’ve heard that the candy is expensive this year, so let’s look at some alternatives.
Odd Candy Alternatives from the 90s
Back in the 90s when I trick or treated, you’d come home with candy, and a couple of other things. There was the guy who handed out sodas. I think I came home with a Diet Coke, because I’d remember if it had been something cool, like a Surge or a Cactus Cooler. Then there was the woman who gave out change. I took the time to calculate- and giving each child a dime would actually save money. The trouble is liability. For trick or treating toddlers, change mixed in with a bag of candy might be tempting. The last weird candy alternative from my old block in Dallas is the dentist who gave out toothbrushes. Razor blades would have been a lot cooler.
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Thinking Ahead
One spring day on the Buy Nothing Project, someone had a couple of packages of glow sticks to give away. They came with the little plastic connector so they could be made into bracelets. I snapped them up, and when Halloween came, the glow bracelets were a hit. Now, I’m not suggesting we purchase new glow sticks to hand out. The idea is to keep an eye out long before Halloween for something unique to give out.
Sourcing from Home
I always run out of candy. I refuse to buy an amount that would ensure I have enough. But this works out well, because the trick or treaters that come later are usually older kids who’ve finally built up the courage for one last trick or treat hurrah. It’s less about the candy for them, and they even seem to enjoy my novelty treats. In the week before Halloween, I collect those novelty items that come home from every kid party, every teacher reward bag, Happy Meal and, I’m not even sure where else. We’ve got fun sensory toys, never used pencils and pens in cool shapes (one with spiderweb patterning on it!), wind up toys, cute little notepads, a glow in the dark alien and spider, and puzzle erasers. “This is an eraser” I warn as I drop it into the bag of a child who is taller than me. “Thank you!” the teen group chimes, and they disappear into the night.