Can I give healthy treats for Halloween like apples or baby carrots?

[Le Gaucher]

Candy is horrible.. I hate most of them.. The only thing I can eat is some dark chocolate..but putting out Lindt truffles is an expensive proposition.

[demmiblue]

1. No. n/t

[Not Ruth]

2. No they will get thrown away due to risk of poison, pins and razor blades

Lindt truffles are not a great idea either. It is children’s holiday. Not yours. Put out individual bags of Pop Chips or some similar low sugar product if you must.

[AngryAmish]

3. Only if you want your house egged.

[SouthernIrish]

33. I bought non candy treats.

Individual bags of pretzels, animal crackers, and goldfish crackers. I give the kids one piece of candy and one treat bag of their choice.

[AngryAmish]

35. I just give away razor blades and firecrackers.

[ryan_cats]

39. I hope they are the 'fun' size. n/t

[WinkyDink]

46. Bwahahahaha! (I'm stealing that!)

[OnDoutside]

136. Yes, the INTERNATIONAL response of kids to Halloween Veg !

[Maeve]

4. Only if you want to be hated by the kids

Even the cheap "kiddie mix" is more acceptable. Besides, what parent lets produce stay in the kids' bags anymore?? That stuff is prime for tampering suspicions!

[hlthe2b]

5. No.. But there are some cocoa-roasted individually bagged almonds that I mix in with

individual bags of starburst or skittles (both candies I can't stand & thus will never be tempted--LOL).



The almonds (Emerald brand) are pretty healthy and I've noticed a few of them are selected, though mostly the candy. But, I'll eat the almonds so it works either way.

[Not Ruth]

6. I dont know about getting egged, but it is insensitive and for sure

Even the Lindt truffles are tone deaf. Buy some junk candy, give 2 or 3 pieces per child, throw away anything leave over or bring it into work.

[whathehell]

10. Why are Lindt truffles "tone deaf'?

Do tell.

[Not Ruth]

18. Lindt truffles are adult candy, the type of thing that Trump might give

Kids like strong colors, smells, tastes. Something like a super sour gummy snake in rainbow colors.

[whathehell]

37. I know what you're saying

but kids like monochromatic chocolate too.

[dalton99a]

7. Some parents might think you're trying to hurt their kids

seriously

[The Blue Flower]

8. Everything should be individually wrapped and sealed

You might be able to find small, sealed packets of carrots and apple slices at the store.

[Mariana]

9. Small packages of cookies or crackers or chips, maybe?

Don't be mean. In no kid's world is a bag of carrots or an apple a "treat".

[whathehell]

11. "Candy is horrible"?

Maybe in your world...Kids tend to enjoy it.

[Alpeduez21]

12. Pass out hard candies(only one apiece)

and be sure to tell every child "When I went trick or treating the houses had mile long driveways and were always uphill."

Are you seriously thinking about dropping baby carrots into some kids Halloween bucket?

[Le Gaucher]

49. Small individual pack. Yes

[shraby]

81. I don't give out hard candy due to possible choking on it. A smaller child can

have it slip into the throat a block the airway. Better to have something they can chew up and swallow.

[EllieBC]

84. I think the poster was being sarcastic. N/T

[shraby]

105. Thought I'd better say something in case they weren't.

Reason I thought about it, is a friend of mine almost lost her little girl due to a piece of hard candy. She had tried everything, and finally threw her down on the bed on her back and it popped out.

[EllieBC]

137. I completely understand.

I don't let my kids have hard candy for that reason. Hell...I still cut grapes in half for my 7 year old because I'm paranoid about choking.

[GoCubsGo]

13. Why don't you give them a non-food treat?

You can buy things like stickers and Halloween bubbles at the dollar store. They have glow sticks and an assortment of Halloween themed toys, pencils and erasers, ink stamps, etc. You probably won't have to spend much more than you would for candy.

And, if you're basing your decision on what you "can" eat, and what you like, why don't you just buy yourself a bag of Lindt truffles, and turn off your porch light, and not hand out anything?

[TexasBushwhacker]

36. Party City is a good place for those too

Look in the party favor section.

[Old Vet]

67. I give out dollar bills, If I get 10-15 families out here thats alot. Seems to work for me........

Although I know many cant do this due to the amount of children, Iam lucky.

[brooklynite]

15. If you don't want to play the game, don't play at all

[KG]

16. I LOL'd

[Demit]

17. LOL Just turn out the lights & pretend you're not home,

if you can't get into the spirit. Halloween is for giving out treats, not lectures on good eating habits.

[smirkymonkey]

62. +1

[GreenEyedLefty]

19. You'd be better off handing out paper leaflets about the evils of Halloween candy

like the religious tracts I got as a kid talking about Halloween as the devil's holiday.

[Mariana]

87. We considered Chick tracts to be prime loot.

They were and still are funny as hell.

[AJT]

20. Individual packs of fruit treats, many are made from real fruit.

You can get big packages if them at Costco.

[MountCleaners]

143. I second the fruit snacks recommendation

Or little boxes of raisins.

[juxtaposed]

21. why not just give out rolls of toilet paper and save them the time

[WinkyDink]

47. Stand on the porch and throw paper towels!

[sellitman]

53. LMAO!!!!

Best reply yet!!!

[smirkymonkey]

63. Now there's an idea!

Trump mask required.

[syringis]

94. Poor kids LOL !

They come confidently looking for sweets, instead they get a devil.

By the way, dried fruits such as figs, dates, nuts,... is a healthy alternative but will kids like it ?

[smirkymonkey]

99. I know! LOL!

I suppose letting kids be kids one day a year can't hurt them. Everyone I know feasted on candy during Halloween and we all seemed to turn out ok.

As long as they eat healthfully most of the time, I don't think it will cause much harm. My sister's husband is a dentist and even he realizes the futility of depriving his kids of a fun, sugar-filled holiday once a year. They only allow them a few pieces a day and make sure they brush their teeth.

[syringis]

112. It is what I think too

If the kids have healthy habits, ot is not harming once or twice a year (Easter, Christmas).

I felt lazy to make a long reply.

I feel a little tired too because of the standard time.

Halloween is relatively a new celebration here but we have "Saint-Nicolas" on december 6th. Kids get toys and sweets. I used to allow mine sweets and chocolate at this time, also for Christmas and Easter.

The rest of the year, it was a piece or two time to time. I used them to fruits instead, it worked well.

[Hortensis]

71. I suspect that may just be a theme this year.

Also TP. Juxtaposed is clearly right, but this may just a banner TP year anyway.

[MiniMe]

96. You win with that reply!!

I LOL'd

[monmouth4]

110. Bwaahahahahaa, have I mentioned how I hate, hate halloween? Love your idea. n/t

[DemocratSinceBirth]

59. LOL

[Codeine]

22. Just buy some fun-sized candy bars and be done with it.

Kids like carrots and apples (mine do, anyway) but they don't want that stuff in the their Halloween loot bag. Trick or treating is about treats, not healthy snacks.

And most kids hate truffles. Either get a couple bags of Snickers and KitKats or turn off the porch light and enjoy a quiet evening.

[milestogo]

23. Give out five dollar bills.

[Not Ruth]

32. But the kids really loved the sugar cubes stamped with a skull & crossbones that we gave in the 60s

[Kittycow]

116. ..

[mercuryblues]

24. As long as

you staple a Bible verse from Revelations on the bag, you will be all set. IOW no. It will just get tossed out because of the risk it was tampered with.
Just turn off your light.

[meow2u3]

25. You might want to pass out peanuts--literally

Peanuts, or other nuts, are more healthful than candy and, as a side benefit, you won't get your house egged.

[Not Ruth]

30. Peanuts are murder for a lot of kids

Keep an Epi pen handy

[Madam Mossfern]

31. No! No nuts!

You're forgetting about serious consequences of allergies.

[hlthe2b]

40. Any parent of a child allergic to peanuts or "tree" nuts should be going with them, IMO

and discarding or giving back the individual sealed bags of nuts AND screening the countless candy bars that contain nuts or are made with nut butters/products. Unless the kid is an older adolescent/teen (who is educated and self-responsible enough to identify and avoid these products), it falls to the parent to double check that.

As much as I DO truly sympathize with parents of children with severe allergies and totally agree that eating nuts around them in school should NOT be allowed where inhalation is a possibility, nuts and products manufactured with nut butters or byproducts are a reality. It is not a crime to give out sealed bags of nuts any more than it is a crime to give out candy that MAY contain nut products. They are not going to be banned. The onus does fall on the parents to intercede.

[WinkyDink]

48. PEANUTS?! Include an Epi-pen, too!

[NotASurfer]

97. Responsible parents will take care of that

If you have a child with a life-threatening sensitivity, I can’t believe you wouldn’t be right there sorting the night’s haul for exactly that food item, doesn’t matter if it’s peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, soy, wheat, yeast extracts, or eggs.

There are other posts about candy bars with peanuts that flew right under the radar. At least a bag of peanuts isn’t hiding the ingredient in fine print in a list of ingredients under the flap on the wrapper!

[WinkyDink]

102. Lighten up, Frances! The whole thread is for laughs!

[NotASurfer]

106. Need to recalibrate my sarcasmimificationometer

Didn’t even register on that post.

Some days are like the line from The Princess Bride - that word, I don’t think it means what you think it means

[WinkyDink]

145. Then I'll help you out: MOST of the time I'm a Weisenheimer. You will definitely know when I'm not,

'cause I'm A NASTY WOMAN!

[Demsrule86]

118. just touching peanuts can kill some kids...no peanuts.

[cyclonefence]

26. NO

It's not what you like, or approve of, that counts. The treats aren't for you. If you don't want to give out acceptable treats, turn off your outside lights and don't answer the door. That way you protect your principles and don't disappoint kids who want miniature Snickers bars. It's a win-win.

[Siwsan]

27. Kids look forward to trick or treating, all year. Why spoil this this one night, for them?

It's up to their parents to regulate their intake.

[MineralMan]

28. Go right ahead. We'll be handing out full-size candy bars

to compensate. We expect about 200 kids to visit our home Tuesday evening. I just hope they don't discard your produce on our lawn. It makes a horrible noise when I mow.

[Bettie]

29. Just leave your porch light off as a signal that you

are not participating in trick or treat.

If you want to see the kids, give out glow sticks (they are good for safety too) or pencils.

[lunasun]

34. Small bag of Halloween size pretzels or popcorn . Avoid the palm oil *save an orangutan

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1127&pid=113493
Sugary candy, like Nerds is made with corn syrup at least

[hlthe2b]

38. I remember a guy who gave out FULL SIZED boxes of candies and chocolate covered cherries

(I think he worked for the candy company)..

The line around his house was incredible, but I never heard that he ran out. Given I STILL remember that many many years later, the houses that give out healthy treats (or those that have to be discarded) or toothbrushes are probably remembered as well in a less positive way. Hey, they are kids, after all.

[eleny]

41. I found some things that kids seem to really get excited about

I went to the dollar store and found a package of Halloween foam stickers and some 3-D stickers with an outer space theme. There were so many in the packs that I gave out a handful to each kid.Those lasted two years for me.

I also found large packs of pencils with themes like super heroes etc. I didn't expect the enthusiasm that they received. But the kids really like stuff like that. And they get plenty of candy from others. I also like to toss in some money, too. Even a dime with the other non-candy goodies seems to make them very happy. Anyway, you get the idea.

This year I found a super deal at Amazon during the summer. A multi pack of individual boxes of Crayola crayons. It was on sale really cheap per unit. So I went for it and put them away for Halloween. There's only 6 basic colors in each box but I know that kids will like them.

[left-of-center2012]

42. Yes... if you want your residence 'egged'

[Takket]

43. if you own a power washer and have readily cleanable siding to handle the egg residue, go for it.

[Mr. Ected]

44. I'll take "Trick" for $20, Alex

As far as you know, that kid standing in your doorway just ate a healthy homemade vegan meal lovingly prepared by a parent.

Give them the candy. That's part of the holiday. It's a kid's holiday, meant for fun, meant as an alternative to the daily drab. Embrace the fun, and teach lessons to those upon which you have influence on a night other than Halloween.

[WinkyDink]

45. Just turn your lights off until it's over. Easy-peasy!

[Irish_Dem]

50. The kids will just throw them away. nt

[MiniMe]

100. If the kids don't, the parents will

I still remember when you used to take your halloween candy to be x-rayed.

[Irish_Dem]

101. Yes I would not let my child eat anything homemade or not wrapped. nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

51. It's not about what YOU like. It's a holiday for kids,

and the tradition is to give out candy that THEY like. But if you don't want to have to buy toilet paper for the next couple of months, go ahead with the carrots.

[MFM008]

52. Only if you want

Your house
A. egged
B. toilet papered
C. Burned

[Not Ruth]

61. C. Burned

Tough crowd

[MFM008]

68. Lol

You never know with today's kids....

[janterry]

54. Not unless you know the kids

We lived in a real 'neighborhood' - so some people even baked . But if it's kids you don't know, stick to something wrapped.

We always liked the few families that gave out packages of juice. My daughter was always thirsty on the way - and it was a relief to have something to drink. Also, packages of raisins are okay (I'd put them in her lunch the next few weeks).

[Le Gaucher]

55. Good idea.thanks

[Mariana]

90. Juice is pretty much sugar water that has some vitamin C.

Even real juice. It'll give them a worse sugar high than chocolate and it'll rot their teeth, too.

Better make it bottled water.

[crazycatlady]

129. AS a child, any house that gave raisins was egged

[Orrex]

56. They will assume that you have bodies buried in your basement

[Squinch]

57. No. Just no.

[VermontKevin]

58. There's always gotta be one.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

60. This is an epic thread.

[Blue_Adept]

132. It's a welcome distraction today :D

I'm waiting on my treat to come early tomorrow like many of us here.

[Vinca]

64. How about individual, store bought, bags of popcorn?

That seems like a good solution. I wouldn't put out anything that wasn't pre-packaged because the paranoia factor is too high and probably justified.

[ProudLib72]

65. Why not give out pocket sized bibles and Jehova's Witness literature?

At least they could make paper airplanes with it.

Seriously, it's not about what you think is good for them; it's about what they think is yummy. They are just kids, and this is their one night a year to have fun.

[B2G]

66. A lady in our neighborhood handed out toothbrushes one year.

Emphasis on ONE.

[Demit]

69. Money. I used to save my change all year, then put it into a tall glass vase

and let the kids reach in to grab a handful. The vase was on the narrow side so they couldn't really get a purchase on too much. It was mostly pennies, but they could see there were nickels and dimes too. They seemed to like it, the game aspect, and also the fact that "she's givin' out MONEY!!!" I liked it b/c it got rid of my change.

[GulfCoast66]

70. You actually let them walk thru your lawn?

[Oneironaut]

72. No. Instead, dress as a serial killer and jump out of the bushes with a bloody knife when kids go to

your door.

Disclaimer: Do not do this in Texas

[AgadorSparticus]

73. Why do you hate children like this?

[WinkyDink]

74. It's a way to get rid of your opioids!

[grossproffit]

77. Someone's gonna be offended by this.

[WinkyDink]

103. Hope springs eternal!

[longship]

75. Nonsense! Give out full sized candy bars!!!

Like Mounds or Almond Joy. Three Musketeers and Milky Way are also very good. (Forget Baby Ruth -- just my personal opinion). Snickers, too, are premium. And indeed, dark chocolate would be much appreciated.

But fucking baby carrots would likely end up being flung back, deservedly so. And apples are universally discarded because of the fictional razor blade scares, but more properly due to the idiot spoil sports who think apples are a good idea on Halloween. They apparently don't understand that their apples will be universally thrown away.

Now those Three Musketeers bars... will be consumed with relish. That, in the spirit of the day.

Here, kid. Have some 🥕! Hey guy, have your justly deserved trick, you fucking sanctimonious spoil sport!

That's why it's called trick or treat. However, the choice is yours.

[grossproffit]

76. Blasphemy!

[samnsara]

78. only if you want your house egged.....

[ColoradoBlue]

79. Overheard convo in the store

I was in the store the other day and standing behind a mom and her kids. The kids were excitedly discussing Halloween.

1st Kid: Only four more days til Halloween!
2nd Kid: We're gonna be CANDY RICH!

Note that they did not say "apple rich" or "carrot rich." Sometimes we just need to let kids be kids, give them a chance to be candy rich, and leave our adult judgments and prejudices out of it.

[Mediumsizedhand]

80. It is a once a year treat for the kids. Let it be. If you cannot have fun with this,

turn off your light and let the kids have one night.

[tblue37]

82. No, b/c treats not commercially wrapped are usually suspected of having razor blades or poison. nt

[pnwmom]

83. It isn't about what YOU would hate to eat. Offer commercial, wrapped candy to the KIDS.

If you run out, give change or stop answering the door.

[EllieBC]

85. Stop being ridiculous.

I'm Jewish (fairly Orthodox) and I hand out candy!

Let the kids have some fun!

Some adults suck the fun out of life.

[tritsofme]

86. Only if you like cleaning egg off your front window...

[mrs_p]

88. Give stickers, temp tattoos, pencils

Or little coloring books

Fresh food will be tossed unless they know you.

[Mariana]

92. Carrot sticks and apples will be tossed in any case.

What kid thinks carrot sticks are a treat? Kids like apples, but they will be bruised all to hell by the time the kids get home and go straight in the compost bin.

[krispos42]

89. Do you have a power washer?

You know, to blast the eggs off your house and car?

Better to just turn your light off.

[Demsrule86]

119. hahah...we used to throw eggs and shaving cream around...the entire town trees were covered with

toilet paper...we never threw them at houses or cars...Dad warned us of the dire consequences if we got caught...but mail boxes, yards and trees were fair game...all pumpkins...fill those suckers with shaving cream.

[ColoradoBlue]

91. Halloween cat is judging you

[MichMan]

93. Dole Salad Fun packs

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaSli-QDF5s/?hl=en&taken-by=adam.the.creator

[WinkyDink]

104. My new favorite oxymoron!

[Demsrule86]

120. gross and more gross.. give the kids candy one time a year.

[Mosby]

95. annies fruit snacks

30 percent off at target if you use their cartwheel app.

[Stinky The Clown]

98. Anything made by the Mainway Toy Company should be good.

[WinkyDink]

107. I hand out SAS envelopes and say, "Send me all the green paper in your Daddy's pockets."

Apologies to the late, GREAT Soupy Sales!

[Demsrule86]

121. Does it work?

hahaha

[BainsBane]

108. It's not about what you like

but what kids do. Get the Halloween packs of chocolate bars, snickers, reeces, 3 musketeers, etc...
That's what kids like.

Also kids can't eat apples from strangers because they could have razor blades or something to make them sick.

If you have left overs, bring them to work or give them away to a food shelter or other local place.

[Kaleva]

109. Is this a picture of you taken last Halloween?

We used to stack trick or treaters like you five feet high in Korea... use ya for sandbags.

[bathroommonkey76]

111. If you are going to give out carrots and apples

then i would suggest making a stew for the trick or treaters. My grandmother used to do this with carrots, apples, and cinnamon for Halloween.

[yewberry]

113. We're giving out little bags of Pirate's Booty.

American chocolate has been repeatedly linked with child labor.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=individual+bags+of+pirate+booty&id=19E24C95AFA2826F3139E2F24880BFE6180F45CA&FORM=IQFRBA

[LisaL]

114. There is no law that says you can't. Doesn't mean you should.

[elleng]

115. Little boxes of raisins

[Demsrule86]

122. Chocolate covered at least!

[VermontKevin]

123. Little boxes of dried despair.

[WinkyDink]

127. Like a raisin in the sun.

[Kali]

146. !

[crazycatlady]

130. No.

AS a kid I HATED getting raisins in lieu of candy. Just plain no.

Also the raisin houses ended up with shaving cream, eggs, or toilet paper.

[Demsrule86]

117. Peanut butter cups don't have corn syrup...and come on it is halloween...won't hurt the younguns.

If I had gotten baby carrots or apples, I would have tricked you!

[crazycatlady]

124. Not unless you want a side of eggs on your car

[LuckyCharms]

125. I give out loose cigarettes. n/t

[WinkyDink]

128. Hmmm....I'm giving the side-eye to your avatar. ;-)

[RandySF]

126. Good luck with that,

[marylandblue]

131. Your guide to Halloween Candy

[lindysalsagal]

133. Sure. Do you have brick, alluminum, vinyl or cedar siding?

Does it pit or stain?????

[Le Gaucher]

138. Brick ranch.. The windows are unfortunately still glass

[lindysalsagal]

140. Might be tough scrubbing the carrots out of the grout.....

[tavernier]

134. Cloves of garlic are healthy too

and keep vampires away.

Dude... ... ... CANDY.

[WinkyDink]

135. I found it! The perfect compromise, a TRUE non-pareil:

[NotASurfer]

144. I...have...had...that...nightmare...

It never ends well. Even the psycho killer dream clown runs away in terror

[hunter]

139. Turnips. That's what you should give.

Any kid who doesn't know how to prepare the last of this season's turnips in preparation for a long hard winter, and as woody as they are, doesn't deserve anything better.

[diva77]

141. OMG!!!!

[Skittles]

142. fuck no

[Kali]

147. gotta rec this thread

[GallopingGhost]

149. Same here;

I've just about wet myself reading the responses.

[GallopingGhost]

148. No, no, no.

Apples, no, unless they're smothered in caramel or cinnamon candy coating, well-wrapped, and you're giving them to kids you know.

Baby carrots, no. I like veggies, but unless a herd of rabbits rings your doorbell, just no. You'll be known as the Crazy Carrot Lady (or Guy) and will probably be scraping some kind of substance off your windows/windshield.

There are lots of other options these days besides candy. You can buy individual bags of just about everything, from goldfish to pretzels to gummy bears. When I was a kid, a man on our block always gave each kid a coupon redeemable for one doughnut at our local doughnut shop.

Unfortunately, the days of unwrapped or homemade treats are over.

[Not Ruth]

150. Costco rotisserie chickens as treats

That is just awesome. Can you imagine the epic chicken fights?

http://nymag.com/selectall/2016/11/man-gives-rotisserie-chickens-to-halloween-trick-or-treaters.html

[Not Ruth]

151. Pumpkin spice Lindt truffles only 13 cents each, you have to buy 550 of them

https://www.lindtusa.com/shop-our-chocolates--sc4/lindor--sc4/lindor-truffles--sc4/pumpkin-spice-lindor-truffles-550-pc-case-l002790cs?utm_source=eean&utm_medium=affiliate_loyalty&utm_campaign=lindtaffiliate

[ileus]

152. The candy isn't for you...

I'd dare say the kids find most of it yummy. (except apples and baby carrots.)

[Buns_of_Fire]

153. Hint: Avoid miniature bottles of Chivas Regal or Crown Royal.

Also: Anything that can be stuffed into the tailpipe of your car. I stopped giving out raw potatoes for that very reason.