No Guilt Halloween Festivities | Great ideas for getting rid of all that candy
Okay, let me just start by saying that Halloween is my least favorite holiday. It's the time of year I feel like I really take one for the team because I know I will have to deal with the repercussions of candy overload. But the kids love the traditions, so I have figured out some great ideas for getting rid of all that candy, and being able to join in on the Halloween Festivities, guilt free.
My kids love to dress up! They start think about their costume the week school starts and they don't let up until October 31st has come and gone. Between carving pumpkins and of course trick-or-treating, my husband is a trooper. After the costumes are finalized, he takes over, while I supervise and document.
He and I have managed to keep the evening itself as wholesome as possible with rules like, no scary costumes, we all stick together while out and about, and we use it as an opportunity to build community (basically saying good-bye to our neighbors for the winter). Our neighbors are generally of the older generation and they love to see the kids come to their door and carry on about who they're dressed as or how they created their costume. We also encourage them to help one another, wait for each other, and use their manners when speaking.
We stop by Grandma and Grandpa's house last and I'm pretty sure this is everyone's favorite part. The kids dump their candy on G&G's floor. We check all the pieces out (you know, for safety reasons), and then they start to share! With us! It's so fun to see them share their Reese's Peanut Butter cups with Grandma and their Peppermint Patties with Grandpa because they know those are favorites.
But then what? You know, the days following the high fructose corn syrup overload! I really Really REALlly dislike those days. I mean the trading is cute and everything, but the constant asking if they can eat it (or sneaking it), and the tummy aches, bad attitudes, and sugar crashes. Well, no more. Here are three easy solutions to avoid the sugar overload. 
Halloween Candy Buy Back Program:
You can visit this link to find a local business, usually dentist offices, that will buy back a portion of your child's candy stash and replace it with cash, xylitol products, coupons, toothbrushes, etc. They make it real easy to find a participating buyback in your area, by simply entering your ZIP code in the search at the top of the page. From there, you can contact the participant to find out the date, time, and details of their event.
Donate to Operation Shoebox:
This organization packs boxes for our soldiers year round. They accept individually wrapped candies but suggest heat-resistant candy is best in warm seasons. You can visit their website here for more information, or you can mail your candy donation to:
Operation Shoebox8360 East Highway 25Belleview. Fl. 34420
Freeze the Excess:
Throughout the year add your frozen treats to baked goods, smoothies, or ice cream. Add it to trail mix for the kids snack, or keep it in your purse or car for those long afternoons running errands. Use it to decorate your Christmas cookies or better yet, that fancy gingerbread house. And then there's my personal favorite, add it to your coffee for something extra special!Hope these ideas help take a little guilt out of letting your kids go to one more door for candy you really don't want them eating anyway. ;)