From the article: 12 Ways to Use Up Halloween Candy
How do you handle that inevitable influx of troublesome treats? Share your strategies for using up leftover Halloween candy (or Easter candy, or Valentine candy, or goody-bag treats) without putting your child at risk of food allergies, weight gain, diabetic complications, dental misfortune, or plain old sugar overload. Treat Us With Your Tricks
Boo on artificially dyed candies
- With one child allergic to corn, another in braces, and the third with a dental appliance, all the caramel type candies are going to the Food Bank :-). But I actually do throw away ALL the candies containing Red Dye #40. Read the research coming out of Europe... why the US still allows it in foods we eat is beyond my understanding. Red dye #40 and the molecularly similar Yellow Dye #5 are detrimental to kiddos with ADHD, seizures, any brain chemical imbalance. I can't believe they're harmless to "normal" children either. Just MHO!
- —CalledtoAdopt
Halloween Candy
- I am the Volunteer Chair of our Food Bank and we accept leftovers which we bag and include in family food hampers. It is really appreciated.
- —Guest Gerry
Santa Claus Parade
- My son is just barely a teen, big for his age, and also rather young for his age. At the Santa Claus Parade, people go by tossing handfuls of candy at the kids - but my son ends up with nearly nothing. My tiny little daughter can't get through with the pushing and shoving, either. If I bring a bunch of candy with me, they still miss out on the scrabble for candies, but they don't feel quite as left out - and we can share with other kids who missed out, too.
- —sylrayj
Motivation
- I use it to teach my young daughters counting and sorting with some candy math games. AND, not to leave out motivation to get them to do what I want!
- —Guest Elle
Starburst Wrapper Bracelets
- Starburst wrappers (and many other types of candy) can be made into great bracelets like the gum wrapper chains from ages ago... http://fluffyland.com/blog/index.php/starburst-wrapper-bracelet-tutorial/
- —Guest Samantha
Halloween Candy uses
- I save it and use it to flavor brownies that I donate to the chirch for their bazaar. Just crush them and add then as you would use chocolate chips. Also can be using a toppings instead of frosting for your cakes. Put them on before baking and bake as usual. MMM good
- —Guest L Gern
Candy to brighten a soldiers Christmas
- We have a Charity called "Project Rudolph" that provides Christmas Gift Bags for our deployed service members. In each decorated brown paper bag is a candy cane, 2 letters from children, 1 letter from an adult, a poem titled “A Soldiers Christmas” An ornament (unbreakable), and a hand full of candy. We have had children and organizations from all around the country gather up their extra candy (without a halloween label on it) and they donate it to Project Rudolph! This is our 5th year and we are hoping to send out 15,000 gift bags this year so we need all the help we can get, and it cuts down on the amount of candy the kids eat as well. Please go to http://www.projectrudolph.org and see what we have done and what you can do to help us help those who are serving us.
- —Guest Ray
Use leftover Halloween Candy
- I'm a baker, so I use mine in Christmas cookies. You can actually google stuff like, "cookies with reese's cups" or "cookies with m m's"
- —Guest Karen
Some Dentists are buying candy
- As seen on the national news, some dentists are buying the candy for $1 a pound. They are then shipping the candy to service men & women to boost their morale by showing them that children are willing to give up their Halloween candy for them. The dentist who started it said it also helps fight against obesity and cavities. We saw it on abc news. Hurry though, some dentists have limited times that they will do this.
- —Guest Sharon
Leftover Halloween Candy
- Our church collects leftover Halloween candy and fills pinatas for area agencies that serve families in needs. Seek wholesale pinatas or ask for donations.
- —Guest momofmany
Leftover Halloween Candy Ideas
- My son's elementary school collects Candy for Soldiers the week after Halloween, and one of the teachers ships it the women and men serving our country. The kids totally get into donating the candy they don't like, and are even willing to part with extra pieces that they enjoy.
- —Guest Christine
Give it to charity
- Mine goes to my church, which puts it in Thanksgiving baskets for needy families. (We had lots this year, because I bought it a week ahead, and then we had to leave town for a funeral.)
- —Guest Bonnie
Regift It -- Is That Bad?
- Okay, so be glad you're not on my holiday gift list ... I keep the tons of candy my kids accumulate (and most of which can't eat) and then use it for gifts -- fill a coffee mug with some to give to a teacher, get some mini sleds or stockings and fill them up to give to the therapist, delivery man, lady who watches my cat, etc. (sometimes with a gift certificate or $).
- —Guest Molly
