The jack-o’-lanterns are starting to rot. The cobwebs have melded into your bushes. The skulls and skeletons have been thrown into a box until next year.
All that’s left is candy. Piles and piles of candy. What are you possibly going to do with all of it?
Here are five ideas for what to do with leftover Halloween candy.
Donate it
Allocate some favorites to keep, then gather the rest to donate to a worthy cause.
You’ll find that many dentist offices work with Operation Gratitude, the Halloween Candy Buy Back program, or other organizations to gather the tooth-harming, sugar-filled candy and ship the treats to troops overseas. Check with your dentist, or find participating locations at operationgratitude.com.
Look out for other organizations accepting donations, too, like the Ronald McDonald House, who can use the candy to offer sweet treats to families of children receiving medical care. The organization just asks the you contact your local House first to determine specifics for candy donations.
Bake with it
Got a gathering coming up? In charge of dessert? No problem.
There are a gazillion recipes online for leftover Halloween candy. But let’s keep it simple: Take any of your favorite recipes for cookies orbrownies and stir in some chopped-up Reese’s cups (you have those leftover?!), Snickers, Milky Way bars, M&M’s, etc. before you bake them.
You can also freeze candy to use in recipes later.
Halloween candy bars (Photo: Thanksgiving.com)
Host a pairing party
You worked hard on those costumes. You went went big for the trunk or treat. You endured trucking through the neighborhood in rain and cold weather—never missing a single house with a porch light on.
You earned that candy.
Host a candy and wine pairing party or a candy and beer pairing party so see how the flavors work together. Not into booze? Who’s up for a leftover candy party? Best recipe wins? Yes please!
The Growler Guys have a pairing guide for beers…like put Reese’s cups with a porter or Kit Kats with brown ale.
And Vivino has a guide for wine. M&Ms go well with a port wine and pair Skittles with a sauvignon blanc.
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‘Switch Witch’ it
Keep your kids from consuming too much sugar by having them leave their candy for the “Switch Witch” in an exchange for a special gift.
The Switch Witch is a twist on the Elf on the Shelf, mixed with a little Tooth Fairy magic. The idea, crafted by parents, follows the legend of the friendly “Switch Witch,” who visits with family the days leading up to Halloween. Then, on Halloween night, the witch takes the candy and leaves something better behind— and, you know, something a little healthier.
The Original Switch Witch kit with doll and storybook can be purchased on Amazon for $20. The Switch Witch also partners with Operation Gratitude and recommends that relinquished candy gets donated to a good cause (see idea No. 1).
This is also a good one if your kiddo has dietary restrictions or food allergies.
Evan, 3, has Prader-Willi Syndrome which requires him to be on a strict diet. The Teal Pumpkin Project allows his to enjoy Halloween. (Photo: Provided by Natalie Brennenman)
Steal it for yourself
One recent survey of 2,000 parents revealed that two-thirds of respondents have stolen candy given to their trick-or-treating child.
We’re guessing the other third is lying.
The survey also found the parents cover up their thievery by hiding it and hoping their child would forget about it, or pretending the candy vanished and saying they were inspecting it—you know, for safety reasons.
We understand this isn’t the greatest idea, because parents don’t really need the sugar either. But hey, steal it, then refer to ideas 1 through 3 above.
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