I am the official Halloween Grinch. Mostly it stems from a hatred of all things scary and icky. My theory is that between Iran’s second nuclear facility and OJ Simpson still roaming free there is plenty frightening stuff in the real world stuff. Roman Polanski apologists, anyone? (Off topic but you really have to click thru that link and watch the video. Hilarious!) My point: I don’t need a horror flick to make me pee my pants; I can do that just fine on my own. Although a trampoline helps.
Haunted houses, being the worst combination of scary and icky, are the bane of my existence. I haven’t been in one since I was twelve and was chased by a guy in a Forever 21 S&M bondage suit with a glow-in-the-dark whip. Being still in my pre-Rave days, I kicked him in his magic 8 ball(s), ran out and have never been back since. One of the most ill-advised dates I ever went on involved me hiding under a blanket during the entire hour and a half it took whats-their-names (oops, spoiler alert!) to kill everyone in that stupid house in Scream. (A garage door? Seriously?? Where did these people get that door from because mine would go off its tracks if a mouse jumped on it much less an idiotic cheerleader.) I cried. Needless to say that guy never asked me out again.
Gummy eyeballs, spaghetti brains, slutty costumes, zombies, fright nights, faux front-yard cemeteries and yes, even sparkly vampires: I hate it all. Except for one thing. Twee little children dressed up in costumes going door to door and holding out plastic pumpkins with their dimpled fists. I adore trick-or-treaters. I only have two rules: they can’t be old enough to grow real stubble for their hobo costume and also, they have to have a costume. As long as they meet those two criteria, I will pour sugared confections into their buckets all night long whilst cooing momisms like “Aren’t you just the prettiest little princess EVER?!?”
Lately however I’ve been having a crisis of conscience. With the obesity crisis growing (or at least the media coverage of it) and a child culture that is already inundated with treat-giving occasions, is it in the little Tinkerbells’ and Pirates’ best interests to hand out Pixi Stix, which if you really think about it are just straight sugar packed in a tube so you don’t even have to bother chewing it?
If you’ve been in a grocery store lately you will note that alongside the 5,000 different bags of candy lining the shelves there are a few non-food options. Like really expensive stuffed animals, marginally expensive Play-Doh tubs and cheap pencil erasers. But what kid wants a pencil eraser at Halloween? At least when dentists give out toothbrushes its something that has a real use. Those “erasers” don’t even erase! They just crumble! So every year I’ve just gone with the candy and tried not to wince when my own children came home with bags so full they break and then collapse on their loot an hour later in a candy coma.
This year my friend Beth – uber-resourceful mother of 5 – pointed out another option to me: the Oriental Trading catalog. This paean to cheap plastic wonders that many already know and love for their 6$ coconut bras has a wide selection of candy alternatives that make even my frugal heart sing. My favorites were the glow-in-the-dark and glittery tattoos but they also have neon bouncy balls, rubber snakes and lizards and those nifty finger traps that we always called Chinese handcuffs when I was growing up because we were un-PC like that.
I asked my kids if it was a lame idea and they loved it – so long as I got at least a few gummy eyeballs. So what’s your opinion on dealing sugar crack to kids for a night? Am I making too big a deal out of “just one night so let them be kids already durnnit”? What are you planning on giving out this year?
I actually quit eating junk food/candy when I was a child (my own decision), but still loved trick or treating – so every year, I would come home with a big tub of candy and then proceed to give it all to my sister.
My parents instigated a rule where were allowed so many pieces of candy that night and then they rationed the candy out, so many pieces a week – usually in lunch boxes at school. (In hindsight, I suspect they pilfered some of the candy for themselves – especially after I began giving it all to my sister instead of eating it myself.) And it was all candy too – we weren't allowed to eat apples or raisins if we WERE given them because they weren't sealed and 9 times out of 10, we didn't the people in the houses.
My point is, for kids, Halloween is like Christmas combined with raiding mom's closet. You get to put on awesome, elaborate costumes, get to be whatever you want, and then get a new surprise every time you rind the doorbell. It's not so much what you're getting as the fact that you're getting something. I would have loved tattoos or rubber balls as a kid. You know… in hindsight, I think there were actually a few houses that gave out those rubber poppers, and THOSE were the shizznit. You know, those rubber half-globes that you turned inside out and then set on the floor… and when they flipped themselves rightside out again, went flying in the air? Yeah, those were awesome.
I give out microwave popcorn. I don't get that many trick or treaters and I can just get a box of popcorn from costco and not feel too guilty about giving out the really low fat kind. Then what ever is left over I don't feel too bad about having it around the house for the kids to eat.
Anon – I like the way you think!! I too gave up candy as a kid. But only for one year. It drove my siblings crazy that I still had a full Easter basket sitting in my closet 6 months later. Man, why can't I do that now??
Lisa – my kids got some popcorn last year and LOVED it. Good idea.
It's funny, as sson as I started reading this post I thought "I need to tell her about Oriental Trading Company." But i guess I don't.
I must say that, gigantic wuss that I am, I still LOVE Halloween! Forget the scary movies and the haunted houses (and I HATE the fact that every costume for women, and most of the ones for girls, are slutty!), bring on the cutie-pies in costumes!
When my son was 1, we dressed him as superman. When he was 2 he was an elephant. This year my daughter is going to be a leopard (complete with ears, tail and drawn-on whiskers). So far, those are my favorite costumes we've had for them. (OK, and the homemade Dora the Explorer we made for my daughter last year!)
When we were kids, tattoos and fake bugs were AWESOME!!!!! But my favorite? Those little plastic parachute guys.
Hey, they have Halloween Chinese Yo-Yos (is that unPC?) I like the yo-yos and the rainbow springs!!
Ya know, as a kid, I loved Hween so darned much. And I gagged when i got something that wasn't really yummy- in the trash it went. So I think either go the fun toy route (great great idea!) or give in to the dark side. we all know that one night (or even a week or so) of indulgence is not going to spike the obesity crisis. if you really feel strongly about it, just shut out the lights and hide in the back of your house like we do if we've forgotten to buy the kiddies' candy!
I was cracking up all over this post Charlotte- LOL-fest! Loved the photos too 😀
We don't celebrate Halloween, but this weekend we had a bit holiday party with a pinata. It was plump full of candy, but since we have another holiday in less than 2 months, we decided that the pinata for that one would be filled with stuff from ORIENTAL TRADING…great minds think alike. I think kids are just as excited, if not more, to get some tattoos, stretchy insects, or a princess ring. Oriental trading company rocks…we use it quite often actually.
By the way, Scream, my FAV scary movie of all time!!!!
Azusmom – I'm always the last mom on the block to figure stuff out. Seriously:) I bet your kids will be SO adorable this year! Love the little kiddies in costumes.
Deb – Thanks! Glad pregnancy hasn't totally squelched my funny. Even though it feels like it some days.
aboyn3girls – Like I said to azusmom, I'm always the last mom on the block to figure stuff out! But Scream?! Seriously? Explain the garage door to me!!
We don't celebrate Halloween, but this weekend we had a big holiday party with a pinata. It was plump full of candy, but since we have another holiday in less than 2 months, we decided that the pinata for that one would be filled with stuff from ORIENTAL TRADING…great minds think alike. I think kids are just as excited, if not more, to get some tattoos, stretchy insects, or a princess ring. Oriental trading company rocks…we use it quite often actually.
By the way, Scream, my FAV scary movie of all time!!!!
Whether I personally celebrate Halloween or not, the kids who come to my door do. So what, should I be a grinch? I liked the idea of raisins and stuff like that, but I've been told (forcefully) that that's a horrible idea.
All the same, when I was a young'un, back in the dinosaur age, we'd all end up with a bag of candy and yet no one around was obese, not even me. I don't think giving sweets on this one day will make or break a kid's scale.
And the only kind of kids I mind are those who a) show up without a costume b) have stubble or c) show up several times. Last year, I told a kid "You've been 'round here three times already!"
"No I haven't," he answered quickly.
The next time he came round, he was wearing a scarf around his mouth, bless his optimistic little soul.
Ive done the small bags of popcorn and OFTEN do rub on tattoos.
I am not a popular house and SADLY it wasnt even "health" which made me give those treats out (or Id have proffered toothbrushes :)) I actually love those things…
I give out the candy and live with it. However, all leftover candy that we give out gets bagged up and dropped off at the office the next day.
I also take everything that is not chocolate out of the bag and toss it when the kids aren't looking. My son only likes chocolate anyway and my daughter does not eat the sugar.
I loved halloween so much as a kid that I play along as an adult. I figure if the parents are not being sensible about the other 364 days a year, there's not much I can do about it. I just optimistically hope that Halloween is a special occasion for them as it was for me, and I hand out the kind of candy I liked as a kid and don't worry too much about it.
I either pass out serious candy, or
two week trial memberships to weight watchers, depending on the kid's BMI 🙂
This is great writing…Though I must say, a little candy on occasion can actually be a pleasant indulgence. It's the parents who should instill life-long healthy eating habits/routines into their kids' lives, making an occasionally treat such as candy okay. That's part of the fun of Halloween! And agreed, little kids in costume are adorable. Anyways, I like your blog!
http://funfitnessfreshair.blogspot.com/
I love me some scary movies. Always, whenever, day or night, 24/7. Love it. Love it. Love it. Zombie movies above all else. Good or bad, I'll take it.
I'm down to buying one bag of candy per year. We just don't get that many trick or treaters and then we end up eating it all ourselves…which is why I buy the Hershey's mix because we can split it pretty evenly (I like Hershey's and Kit Kats, she gets the Peanut Butter Cups and Special Dark).
-Joshua
http://techparent42.blogspot.com
As someone who has no memories of trick-or-treating as a child (hey! I grew up in the country with almost no neighbors!) I'll probably hand out candy because that way I can live vicariously through the little children. But my opinion may change when I have kids of my own bringing home huge bags of chocolatey-sugary confections.
I would give out candy if I lived in a house instead of this apartment (and if I wasn't a poor undergrad student!) 🙂
I think it's mostly up to the parents to control the situation. My parents had strict rules regarding the candy and I think they did a great job! Out of 4 kids I'm the only one overweight and that came on after I left the house!
We would trick-or-treating only until we had a certain amount of candy (pumpkin tub anyone?). It probably helped that we lived far in the country and had to trick-or-treat by car, and had no point of comparison with other families as to how much candy was obtained. The pops and chips weren't all that popular in my town compared to candy so when we got some we put them on our seat in the car (they did not count in our pumpkin).
As soon as we got home they would sort it with us for any open candy that would go in the garbage. Then we proceeded to a complicated exchange, each kid trying to get rid of the candy we didn't like for more yummy candy (with 4 kids it can be complicated). After exchanging all we could the remaining candy we didn't like went to 'the parents' pot'. And since we were sweet kids, we were always sad our parents couldn't trick or treat anymore so we each gave them a handful of candy we know they liked (chocolate for mom, any yucky caramel for dad – he actually loved them!).
That night we were allowed to eat some candy (maybe 7-8?). Then we each stored our candy in a 1L yogurt container with our name on it (again, pops and chips didn't count). Anything that wouldn't fit in the container usually ended up in the parents' pot.
We were allowed 1 or 2 pieces of candy after supper as desert until we had no more. That usually lasted only a couple of months.
They also had pretty much the same rules for any candy-wielding holiday (Christmas canes, Easter eggs, etc).
Interesting topic. I agree with some others that the once a year candy splurge should be okay if there are certain guidelines in place. My kids are allowed one piece per day and I throw away the really nasty crap stuff. And they eat well the rest of the time so one mini snickers bar is not going to hurt. As a mom who is constantly throwing away the crap from birthday party goodie bags, the fewer lizzards, yo-yos, pencils, etc, the better. At least I won't step on the candy in the middle of the hallway at night! 🙂
The little ones are so cute–they are a little afraid of the stranger handing out candy, but almost ready to reach out to the world outside of mom's arms. But my heart goes out to the big ones negotiating between wanting to be seen as all grown up and the security and joy of being a child. That's why they show up in just a bandanna or a ski coat (it's not cool to be a superhero any more)but they want to trick or treat anyway. It's not about free candy, they could get a truck load of candy at Walmart for $10 and a lot less work. They, too, are almost (but not quite) ready to reach out to that scary world. They may be 6 feet tall and starting to sport a see-through mustache but there is still a lot of child in there.
Cammi99
We don't give out candy – we live on the top floor of an apartment building. If anyone does come to out door, I'll probably give them one of BK's sodas.
My attitude is that it's up to the parents to decide whether or not to take their kids trick or treating. They could always organize a Halloween party where healthier treats are served and everyone gets to take home some candy.
I miss being in a small town at halloween. We didn't get junk candy. All my friend's moms (and mine) would make awesome treats on halloween. There'd be a note in them of who made what and you had a whole bag full of awesome stuff to try…my mum made the best popcorn balls ever. My friend Char's mom made peanut butter balls. I *know*. 🙂
If I tried that now parents would pick up the treats inside a full hazmat suit and burn it without ever even letting their kids touch it, lest I poison their kids wit h some sort of needle/razorblade/bugspray/rat poison/evil thing.
I don't mind the whole candy thing, but I do make people who aren't in costume do tricks. Just walking up in a pair of jeans and a hoodie does not guarantee candy…:)
When I was growing up we were only allowed to have like 3 pieces a night or something, but I remember getting tired of it (and running out of good stuff) way before the bag was empty.
I think little toys is a cute idea. +1 on hating being scared, too.
I like the popcorn idea, but wonder what the cost would be with the few hundred kids that show up at our door every year.
We give out candy, fruit snacks, and rice crispy treats. I usually look for the best sugar/fat/calorie combo that I can find.
We also give crappy mini candy bars to the kids who are way to old to be trick-or-treating (and stopping by our house 2 or 3 times in different versions of the non-costume).
Oh man… I was really hoping you could help me convice Beth to drop the Oriental Trading Company idea and get a huge box of king-size Butterfingers. I'd put a sign on the door that said "No candy," and then they'd be mine.. ALL MINE!!!
(PS, I love Butterfingers. I ruthelessly "trade" with my kids for their crispity, crunchity treasures. "So, can I trade you use of your bed for all of those icky yellow candy bars?")
I always think about this every year! Right now, we really don't get kids to our house so I don't have to worry about it too much. BUT, in the past, I did give out candy. I have looked for affordable alternatives recently to give to the grandkids.
Like you too, I want them to be little kids, not teens out to get some free grub!
Did you already order? Would shipping be cheaper if we ordered together?
While I personally do think children should ingest A LOT less sugar than they do, I also think that the cost of not giving out candy — that is, being the neighborhood stick in the mud — is greater than the cost of having kids eat lots of candy for a few days. But I would definitely stick to fun size candies (maybe plain mini dark chocolate Hershey bars?) and giving out one piece per customer.
Hmmm…I know my parents made special goodies bags for kids that lived on our street, and all the other kids got the mini-kit-kats, or things of that nature. As a student, I love when professors bring those mini candy bars to class, it totally helps the class go by faster when you're hopped up on sugar.
I think my main issue with Halloween is how it makes all young female adults go wild and dress..inappropriately. Little kids are adorable in their costumes, and everyone loves to dress up even as an adult. I just hate the pressure put on girls to dress so scandalously. I suppose that is another issue entirely, but…in general I'm pro-candy, so realistically this post didn't stir up any debate for me.
Miz – yeah I would only give out things that I like too. NO little boxes of raisins at our house. But I love me a good glittery rub-on tattoo!
Another Suburban Mom – I love the idea of getting rid of the unused candy the next day! I tried to donate it to the food pantry but was told they don't take "opened packages." Work is a good plan tho!
Dr. J – you, friend, are a nut:)
Thanks Grace! If this were the only day my kids came home with bags of candy I wouldn't worry about it all. Sadly, practically every week between now and New Year's has some kind of treat occassion!
Joshua – I hate to say this but your wife has much better taste in chocolate than you;)
Gena – I was the same way until I had kids!
Nathalie – Sounds like your family had a system all worked out!
Erika – Oh I hear you about all the little crap that kids end up with. My husband and I have a special box for all the "CPC" (cheap plastic crap) our kids come home with. Once the box is full we throw out about half of it. They never notice. Point taken!
Geosomin – It is sad isn't it, that parents would rather their kid have a HFCS-laden candy than a homemade peanut-butter ball?? (PS> thanks for the craving!)
N8 – Hahahahah! Sorry dude! Butterfingers are one of my faves too. Unfortunately they are also Sam's so I usually can't talk him out of them…
M – I hear you: I think my entire graduate degree was fueled by chewy Gobstoppers and diet Coke, lol!
Last year we bought (by the pound) most of the candy our kids brought home (after they had picked out their favorites, and had their fill). Then we kept it in a bowl in our closet and ate it all year long. We need a better plan.
Every year I debate whether to hand out candy. As a kid, there was one house that handed out cool things like those plastic straws that make whistling noises when you spin them around- so maybe the cheap plastic stuff is the way to go.
I was eyeballing the real-fruit leather strips at costco the other day, trying to figure out if I really wanted to spend $30 on treats to hand out.
I buy back the candy from my three boys. They get to keep 10 pieces of candy, a lot of thought goes into what to keep. Sometimes they trade candy and when they have their final selection, I give them ten dollars each. They are happy and I am even happier cause we don't have stuff in the house anymore. Win win for all of us. Or like my son says, it is an income he can count on every year.
for whatever reason, i never liked much candy. still don't. so, when i'd go trick-or-treating, i'd barter with my brother for the few pieces i *did* like … and then i'd take the rest into school and either trade the crap i hated for stuff i liked or, by day two/three, just give away the rest of it.
my mom has marginally the right idea this year – the candy she bought for the trick-or-treaters is stuff that NONE of us in the house like. which is good, because we won't eat it. on the other hand, it's crap that most kids don't like ANYWAY, so who knows.
now that i'm big and old and don't trick-or-treat anymore … i just buy myself some candy corn and slowly munch on that throughout the season and i'm happy.
I'm also in the camp that trick or treating is for candy. My kids would be disappointed if they got raisins, popcorn, or even toys. They get excited about all the chocolate. (like their mommy) They get to eat a few pieces and we call it a night.
Our local dentist has a program that pays you $1 per pound of candy you bring in the next day. Then they send all that candy to the troops!
We have to get it out of the house though, or else mommy will end up eating it all!
I just can not stomach handing out fistfuls of candy to little kids who are likely getting massive doses of sugar on a daily basis. We don't get that many trick or treaters at our house anyway. A few years ago I found a giant pack of those little play-doh containers at Costco and it has lasted me a couple years. My husband was sure that kids would be upset if we didn't get candy the first year and got some anyway (I was MAD) but the kids were super excited about the playdoh.
I was always reasonable and rationed my candy myself as a kid. If my parents got ahold of it it was gone (it's still the same way, they'll get a half gallon of ice cream and devour it in a night – for us, a pint lasts about a month).
I personally don't like having the candy around as of late, and we usually end up out on Halloween night anyway, so we just grinch out and turn the porch lights off. If we ARE home though – candy all the way. It's one day, and me giving out erasers is just gonna get the house egged. 🙂
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