If you have kids, or if you are a kid at heart, I’m sure you are well aware that Halloween is nearly here. In addition to dressing up and doing the Monster Mash, there is going to be candy everywhere you turn. These temptations can be a big weight management challenge. Before you throw your hands in the air, and your resolve out the window, take a deep breath and keep reading.
Choose 1 or more of these non-candy treats and make this Halloween one filled with a fun at the center rather than calories.
Skip the Treats – Keep the Tricks
My family’s plan to avoid as much candy as possible – we are not going to buy any. Instead of candy, the ghosts and goblins who knock on our door will get fun non-candy treats. This tactic is fun for the kids and better for weight management. I don’t trust myself not to plow through several bags of mini chocolate bars so I don’t even look at them in the store. If I want a bit of chocolate I’ll pick a piece of high-quality dark chocolate but not a 2-pound bag.
Each year, our trick-or-treaters have been surprised and delighted to receive spider rings, temporary tattoos, jack-o-lantern pins, novelty rubber ducks or mini play doughs. It’s fun to see their reaction and any leftovers just get stashed in a cupboard for the next year.
Many stores also sell non-candy treats for Halloween to surprise your trick-or-treaters. For example, I found cute ghost and bat-shaped erasers at Target for $1 per bag.
Shop online to reduce temptation
There are fun online catalog stores that will allow you to shop at your leisure and deliver right to your door. My favorite is Oriental Trading. They have an amazing selection of grab bag items at reasonable prices. If you are really attached to handing out candy I recommend checking out their edible novelties. There are pages of treats only someone under the age of 14 would consider edible.
Another online company to check out is Accoutrements. Known locally as Archie McPhee, Accoutrements this is the ultimate retailer for all things whacky and wonderful. The items tend to be a bit larger scale than Oriental Trading but take a look around, even online it is fun to just browse. If you can’t find some really unique non-candy treats for your jack-o-lantern, you just plain aren’t looking.
No one wants your leftover candy
Now to address the plan to bring leftover candy into work the next day. Please reconsider, your co-workers don’t need the extra calories either. Do bring in the leftover non-candy treats. I imagine most office mates would prefer typing memos wearing spider rings to sneaking into the break room to guiltily scarf down a handful of fun size chocolate bars.
I, for one, am looking forward to the challenge of the holidays. With a little creativity, these next few months could be the most fun and healthful yet!
The post Non-candy treats for Halloween that won’t get you egged! appeared first on Plate Full of Grace.
