Second life for Halloween treats

November 9, 2007 by Barbara.

On the days leading up to Halloween, we offered Reid a chocolate bar or two that we’d bought to hand out. She refused all but a square from a Caramilk and that she spit out. Reid did eat a couple of the mini boxes of Smarties but she didn’t bug to get those. On Halloween night, Reid had a lollipop and a single Strawberry Twizzler before she had that piece of gum I told you she tried to use to blow bubbles. The next day, Reid ate another lollipop but I don’t think she asked again. Reid and I sorted the candy on Saturday morning into two bowls: chocolate bars and other candy. Or, put another way, the kind Mama and Daddy like and the kind Reid likes. The bowls are still sitting on the counter but Reid hasn’t asked about them. At one point, Reid asked for some broccoli that was also on the counter, right next to the candy dish. Aunt Karin agreed that Reid could have the broccoli - it wouldn’t ruin her supper after all - but had a treat for herself. I wonder how long this preference for vegetables will last.

Kathryn, over at Daring Young Mom, wrote about telling her kids that 48 hours after Halloween, the Halloween fairy comes around and leaves a present for children who put the leftover candy out on the porch. The kids get treats for 2 days and then the treats go away. No more fighting about it, no more guilt. If Reid liked eating her candy, I think I would try this approach.

Since Reid won’t be finishing her candy, I’m trying to think of what to do with it that doesn’t involve Ken or me eating it. I just may have come across the perfect solution. I received an email from the Children’s Welcome Centre seeking Halloween candy to be used to decorate gingerbread houses. Bingo! I thought. We have many packages of Strawberry Twizzler, Nibs and Smarties and they’re all good candidates for gingerbread houses. I’ll freeze them for a month or so and then Bob’s your uncle, I’ll have less to buy next month (not to mention I’ll have avoided the calories in the candy myself). It seems a simple thing but it never occurred to me before.

Do you have any tips for dealing with leftover Halloween candy?

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