Most kids love Halloween for two reasons: they can dress up in a costume, and they get lots of candy, and for most, it’s a Halloween tradition that your family will love. While most parents don’t mind the costume part of it, if you’re anything like me, you know your kids do NOT need that much candy at once – or ever, at all. However, it’s impossible to take them trick-or-treating and come home without a sack filled with Snickers bars, bags of Skittles, and more lollipops than we can count, especially when attending a great Halloween party.
So what do you do? While your kids might not like it, you don’t have to let them eat all of it. Instead, more and more parents are opting to let their kids keep some of their Halloween candy – not all of it.
As for the rest? Here are some things you can do to get rid of that leftover Halloween candy:
Bring it to Work
Your kid doesn’t need all of that candy, but your coworkers will certainly appreciate it! Use it to stock a candy jar next to your desk – if you can avoid the temptation of digging in yourself. If you can’t, drop it off in the breakroom and see how quickly it disappears!
Find a Halloween Candy Buyback Program
Keep your eyes peeled as Halloween approaches to see what kind of candy buyback programs appear in your area. That’s right – there are places that will actually buy back your child’s unwanted Halloween candy. Popular among dentist offices, kids can often get a toothbrush and a sticker (or, in some cases, a small gift card) for turning in their stash.
Donate It
Want to get rid of unwanted Halloween candy and support a great cause at the same time? Donate your unwanted candy and support our troops by shipping them a care package filled with their favorite treats. There are a number of different charities that coordinate efforts like this one, including Operation Gratitude and Soldiers’ Angels.
There are other charities out there that could benefit from a sweet donation, too. Groups that focus on helping kids, like the Ronald McDonald House, may appreciate the donation, just as local children’s homes might. The best way to find out? Call your local organization and ask.
Bake With It
If you love to bake, leftover Halloween candy can make a great addition to your pantry. Make cookies with MnM’s, crumble Snickers bars for a cake topping, top cupcakes with Hershey’s Kisses, and more! The only limit is your creativity – and whatever’s in your child’s candy bag!
Save It
After all, Christmas is right around the corner! If you’re planning to make any gingerbread houses – or do any Thanksgiving baking – it may be wise to tuck back some Halloween candy to use as ingredients. Additionally, Halloween candy can make a great sweet treat in the Christmas stocking. Most candy can be frozen and stores well, so you should be safe to tuck some back for future needs.
As you can see, you don’t have to let your kiddos scarf down their whole bag of Halloween candy unless it’s a healthy Halloween treat. Instead, take advantage of one (or more) of these options and get rid of them ASAP! Have a safe and happy Halloween!
