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Halloween -- The Switch Witch

deleted_user
deleted_user
With Halloween just around the corner, I've already started discussing "the candy" issue with my little ones. While it's certainly fun to go trick-or-treating... the fun turns into a real-life Halloween Nightmare when I have to say "no" to a 4th or 5th piece of candy (in a 10 minute period) I typically let them pick 2 or 3 small pieces of candy to eat on Halloween night. And then I have them pick 10 pieces of their favorite candy and we stash them for special treats to be distributed over the following few weeks. And then something interesting happens with all the leftover candy (that my husband and I don't eat... The Switch Witch visits our house and switches out the remaining candy with a toy, puzzle or book. While this may be a cop-out (as opposed to telling the kids we're actually donating it) it works for our family. And then I secretly take the candy to our preschool and I donate it to the candy drive. I'm sure you can check your local neighborhood food banks, schools and/or churches for similar candy drives.

Have Fun and Be Safe!
mechellebelle
mechellebelle
I love that idea. When my son was younger, he'd want candy for 2 days, then forget all about the stash. I'd always find Easter candy in the cupboard at Halloween and Halloween candy at Easter. Now that he's older, he remembers more. I am def. going to try the switch witch idea.

incidentally, we're giving out halloween (Ellen and Edgar?) pencils and little airplanes with halloween pictures on them so we can cut down on the candy we give out. it was about the same price as candy and I think the kids will like it.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Ive also planned on not giving out tons of candy. i bought a bunch of cheap halloween toys and i will make up little baggies and put some halloween erasers, clackers, spider rings etc, along with one or two pices of candy and then for the little kids we got raisin packages and ill prolly get the little packages of fruit snacks. I think they still have a bit sugar in them but at least they can go in with lunches and its a better choice then chocolate :)

As for the switch witch that is a great idea, allthough i dont think my husband would agree if he dosnt get to eat the candy lol.
DLR77
DLR77
I'm actually going to be the evil mom who is giving out pencils and erasers...(hey, at least it's not toothbrushes...)
I do like that switch witch idea...but I've been lucky. My daughter has a few pieces on Halloween night and then completely forgets about the stash. Even with me as her mother and the genetics involved in that, she's not much of a 'sweets' person. Then I eat all the chocolate because I just have no willpower whatsoever. And the gum. And the Skittles. Oh, and the Sweet Tarts. I need intervention.
All that gets left in the bowl are the very odd ethnic candies. We got a few that pictured a lobster on the label and one candy that looks like it came from grandma's linty pocket. I've set them out in a small bowl for guests. I'm excited to see the oddities we get this year. Oh, and for the chocolate. (and all the rest). Who says this holiday is for kids?
deleted_user
deleted_user
GREAT idea. We have a tough time, because 8y.o. d/s has orthodontic appliances and cannot have anything sticky...no gum, licorice, skittles, now&laters, gummy bears, etc., etc. He doesn't care for chocolate as much as the fruity stuff so i'm dreading Halloween, and the endless debates about candy that comes with it, this year. I wish I'd known about the Switch Witch way back when we introduced the toothfairy (maybe they're related and working together in the fight against tooth decay!)...it might be a little hard to pass off for the first time at almost 9y.o. Still, very creative idea!
MightyMouse
MightyMouse
THAT IS A REALLY GOOD IDEA. MY 5 YEAR OLD IS A CANDYHOLIC IN THE WORST WAY. SHE WILL EAT CANDY ALL DAY IF WE LET HER ( AND WE DON'T BUT SHE LOVES WHINING ABOUT NOT GETTING IT.) MY 6 YEAR OLD COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT CANDY THOUGH. I'M GONNA TRY THAT THIS YEAR THANKS
deleted_user
deleted_user
I love that a lot of you are giving out little "favors" instead of candy. I'm doing the same. I have trinkets and candy. I can't say that I love all the little plastic toys in my house but it's better than the alternative!

Kudos!
deleted_user
deleted_user
My 6yr old son loves getting little toys in his halloween bag. He usually wants some of his candy for the first few days and then he is done. I have always just tossed it in the garbage, how wasteful of me. I am so terrible not even thinking to give it away. I am most definately doing that this year. Of course after I have a litte...:)
deleted_user
deleted_user
Happy Halloween!
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