Happy Halloween, Smarties! Is it just me, or does this Halloween-on-a-Saturday thing feel like Christmas?! We all know the drill: the kids will fill up bag after bag with candy tonight and before you know it, the house is going to be TAKEN OVER by miniature Snickers, Jolly Ranchers, Reese’s Cups, and more. Heed this advice, have a PLAN! Don’t let that candy invade the house and stay – if not for the dental bill that’s to come, then do it for the skinny jeans that must be worn.
I usually let the kids pick maybe 15-20 pieces (it used to be less when they were littler – now the buggers are on to me!) of their favorite candy, and get rid of the rest. Here are some ideas that don’t involve our friends at the Charlotte garbage and recycle centers:
Halloween Candy Buy Back
A national endeavor where local dentists buying kids’ Halloween candy. They “get it off the streets” and partner with Operation Gratitude to get candy to the troops. Usually dentists offer $1/lb. Search for a participating dentist near you here.
*Smarty tip: Make it an afternoon affair by heading to a registered dentist, grabbing your cash, and high-tailing it to the dollar store to blow through the moo-la!
*Smarty tip #2: Ask if you can send a note to the troops with your candy! 🙂
Switch Witch
Kinda like the Elf on the Shelf, this witch swoops in, grabs the kids’ Halloween candy, and leaves a little pressie in its place. Here’s the official word from Switch Witch:
Your Switch Witch and her friends are here to bring their magic and fun to all good boys & girls! Switch Witches need your candy to heat their homes and make their Witchy World go round!
It comes with a doll and storybook. Smarties with lil’ ones: THIS is a tradition worth starting and keeping. I’m too late – my older kids would look at me like the Wicked Witch of the West if I pulled it out this late in the game.
These are only available at Target and online, but we’re making bets that it goes viral within a couple of years.
Pinterest It
The Pinterest gods are always there when you need them, and the leftover Halloween puzzle is no exception. Get your aprons on, your creative hats straight, and have fun with these cute ideas.
– Something Swanky’s 55 Recipes using Halloween Candy
– The Today Show’s cookie cake, candy corn cookies, and trifle (How do they get that trifle so perfect, please tell me?!!)
– And for the over-achievers, Halloween Candy science experiments
Family Buy Back
Offer your kids a price for their candy – either bulk or per piece – and pay up. This doesn’t have to be cash. Maybe offer one $.99 app in exchange for ten pieces of candy. Or dinner at Chick-Fil-A in exchange for thirty pieces. Just make sure you don’t eat the candy yourself (in one sitting…while they’re still awake…cuz that would be a major rookie mistake). 🙂
Reduce, Reuse, Procrastinate
Slowly take pieces away each day, store the stolen borrowed pieces in a drawer (not the attic, ladies! We ARE in the South and we’re not done with high temps), and save it for helping Santa with Christmas stockings! You’ve also successfully procrastinated this dreaded Halloween candy purge and are safe until December 26. Smarty High Five!
What are some of your ideas, Smarties?
