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Community Corner

5 Alternatives to Halloween Candy

Looking for a healthier Halloween treat for the neighborhood kids? Patch has you covered with these five healthy options.

The candy business rakes in a whopping $20 billion each year, with almost $2 billion of that figure coming from Halloween candy, according to creditloan.com. The article also states that the average household spends $44 on Halloween candy per year.

With that said, it’s safe to say that while most people give and receive candy on All Hallows’ Eve, not all people do.

In a world where consumers are becoming more aware and concerned with oral health, obesity and allergies, some parents choose not to give their children candy and prefer not to hand it out to others.

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The following is a list of candy alternatives for those who wish to still participate in trick-or-treating, candy excluded.

1. Other Edible Delights

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  • Beef Jerky
  • Fruit such as apples or oranges
  • Snack-sized cheese and crackers, popcorn, cookie, or trail mix packs etc.
  • Pretzels or raisins
  • Juice boxes
  • Hot chocolate packets
  • Sugar-free gum
  • Granola bars

2. Nightmarish Novelties

  • Vampire teeth
  • Party favor sunglasses or jewelry
  • Noisemakers
  • Bouncy balls
  • Temporary tattoos
  • Bubbles
  • Whistles
  • Leftover toys (wrapped) from kid’s meals

3.Cackling Crafts

  • Stickers
  • Playdoh
  • Goo or slime
  • Necklace making kits
  • Puppets to make
  • Birdhouses or wooden cutouts to paint

4. Possessed Practicals

  • Pencils
  • Pens
  • Erasers
  • Mini-notebooks
  • Coloring books
  • Glow-in-the-dark necklaces (especially pragmatic for the night)
  • Toothbrushes

5. Chilling Cash

We can all remember someone who has handed out coins like pennies, nickels, dimes, and if you were lucky, quarters. It was a nice change of pace and great to add to the piggy bank. If you have the means, it’s a nice surprise for the youngsters on Halloween night.

Similarly, UNICEF has orange and black annual Halloween donation boxes to go trick-or-treating with. You can pick one up at your neighborhood Hallmark store, amongst others. Take it house to house while you’re lurking the neighborhood and the money will go to help children all around the world. A great way to teach the kiddies to pay it forward.

Extra Note: Another idea is the “Switch Witch.” Similar to the Tooth Fairy, she comes on Halloween night and gathers all the uneaten candy and replaces it with a new toy. If you are worried about that candy lingering in your house, this might be the perfect idea for you! There is even a book out.

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