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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 10/3/2008
Posts: 125
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Our family's participation in Halloween activities has always been to hand out candy to kids that come to the door and to watch movies on that night. Now that we're in the country, kids don't come to the door because our nearest neighbor is half a mile away, but the town near us started a trick or treat on main street for the smaller kids last year. Our 4-H group handed out candy and as the evening progressed, more and more people were coming out to talk to friends, including the teenagers. We want to participate again this year, but I don't necessarily want to hand out candy. (The only one who benefits from that is the local dentist.) Any ideas on what we could hand out? Although it's a small town, there's probably about 100-150 kids that were trick or treating. We want to give them something they'll like but not break the bank in the process.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/4/2008
Posts: 21
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We live out in the country and, like you, have very few to no kids show up. We took the kids in town for trick or treating last year and will likely do the same this year as well. As far as the candy, I just ration it out until its gone and toss out what I don't want them to have. As far as alternatives to candy, I don't know. The fruit usually gets tossed so I don't buy that but some give the little raisin boxes.
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User Rank: Moderator
Joined: 9/24/2008
Posts: 275
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I live in the suburbs but we don't get that many Halloween knockers - so of course I never have candy stored. If I had to start distributing candy though, I would probably buy the bite-size chocolates - the miniature ones. I also like the gold chocolate coins. And for those who disapprove of candy, there are tiny gifts or trinkets that you can put in the small paper bag. Kids like that too!
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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 10/3/2008
Posts: 125
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I'm all for candy, but I've looked into their bags and you'd be surprised how much they can get just walking around Main street. I thought about Halloween pencils or something useful, but then I'm afraid if they don't like them they'll toilet paper my car. 
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/16/2008
Posts: 70
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I live in a country where Halloween celebration is not really that popular. I only see these celebrations on tv wherein people wear halloween customs and have parties.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/16/2008
Posts: 24
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Halloween is really a fun way to enjoy wearing all the creepy customs and scare each other. 
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/18/2008
Posts: 87
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How about giving out pencils or pens. My kids love to get new pencils for school and they are relatively inexpensive. Just a thought...
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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 10/3/2008
Posts: 125
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Coincidentally I did find some pencils at a party shop and they were on sale, so I grabbed those. I also found some glow sticks at Michaels Craft Store that were fairly cheap. The glow sticks can be made into bracelets, so they would be good for the older kids.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/3/2008
Posts: 22
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I agree with not handing out candy. I was never a fan of Halloween because it appears to me that kids are begging for candy. Instead of candy you can hand out a little toy for the kids. They're cheap and can be found in many stores.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/15/2008
Posts: 36
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You could go to a dollar type store and get some mini candies,or even pencils,something cute for the girls and something car like or action stuff for the boys. It is hard nowadays to really do much for any holiday.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/14/2008
Posts: 40
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Last year, I handed out small bags of pretzels at Halloween. My daughter has also received animal crackers, Teddy Grahams and granola bars in her trick or treat bag.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/16/2008
Posts: 14
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having abirthday adn sukkots in october this year we decided to turn teh whole thing into a big halloween themed event. We decorated teh sukkots with skeletons, carved pumpkins, etc and celebrated my birthday with a halloween theme. It was wonderful. Living in rural we dont get knockers, but we do go trick or treating in safe neighborhoods and visit haunted houses and corn mazes where we can dress up in costume. I used otlove the pencils, erasers, pennys and non candy stuff. I kept it all in an old shoebox and still have some of them today! julie
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/16/2008
Posts: 20
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I do not get trick or treaters either. A town near by closes of the streets just for the kids. That way we don't have to worry about someone hitting the kids in the dark of the night.
I think pencils are great, and the glow sticks will go over really well. I know an older guy who likes to play those $1 machines---the one where you win a stuffed animal. Through out the year he will play them--and he wins every time. He stores them in his closet and on Halloween he hands them out to the costumes he likes the best..lol
My first year in my home--I didn't know we didn't get trick or treaters---I had a huge bowl of candy. I wasn't going to get stuck with a that candy. So, as my daughter walked the streets--she gave the candy to people who walked by..LOL
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/4/2008
Posts: 30
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We live in a large neighborhood but we don`t get a whole lot of knocks. We always have candy ready for those who do come though. This year I am going to a party so it`s up to hubby to either go with me or hand out a little bit of candy lol.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/6/2008
Posts: 77
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How about glow sticks? Those are always nice- the kids can use them on Halloween to help see the way. I love them. My daughter loves getting them. Even glow necklaces.
Other than that- I'd say candy - even though you don't want to.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/8/2008
Posts: 22
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IF you can't stand the idea of handing out candy then try apples, or seeds.
Otherwise, a little candy really doesn't hurt them and since they are not your own children, someone else gets to decide how much is eaten at any given time.
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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 10/3/2008
Posts: 125
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I found small bags of pretzels and got those to go with the other goodies. I also saw small containers of Play Dough and may go back for those. The group that organizes the Trick or Treat on Main Street suggests not giving out fresh fruit because the parents won't remember or know where it came from and there's the fear that somebody may have tainted them in some way. It's a shame, but understandable I suppose.
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User Rank: Moderator
Joined: 9/24/2008
Posts: 275
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I agree that there are a lot of Halloween items one could get at the dollar store to hand out. Has anyone been in a dollar store lately? It's amazing how many products are there. Fact is, let me a start a thread on dollar stores.
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