My kids are twelve and ten, and one thing I’ve learned in those years is that we definitely don’t need THAT much candy sitting around after Halloween. Here are some useful ways I’ve learned to spread it around…after I take all the licorice (red only) for my personal stash.
Ideas for Halloween Candy Leftovers
Take it to a Candy Buy Back
The Learning Tree in Prairie Village is one place you can take your leftover candy this year, and it will be donated to the Treats for Troops Program. They’ll even sweeten the deal and offer each family $5 Learning Tree Bucks to spend in the store to say “thanks for helping!” Get all the details on The Learning Tree Candy Buy Back Facebook page.
Donate It
The Halloween Candy Give-Back Program through Operation Gratitude has been connecting communities with military and first responder heroes since 2007. Americans across the nation share a portion of their Halloween candy with Operation Gratitude, and they donate it to deployed troops, veterans, and first responders with the goal of forging stronger bonds between the civilian and service communities nationwide. You can help them reach their goal of 2,020 Halloween candy care packages!
Freeze It
Throw some in the freezer to use for holiday baking. Whether it’s for Christmas cookies, milkshakes, or future movie nights (popcorn with some chopped up candy bars sprinkled in? Yes, please!), there are tons of great recipes — so reserve some of that candy for later use.
Fancy Up Your Coffee
Throw some chocolates in your morning cup for an easy mocha!
Make a Holiday Countdown
Use small boxes or bags, put a treat in each one, and number them to create your own countdown to Christmas, Hanukkah, or other winter celebration. Sure your kids are still getting the sugar, but at least it’s spread out!
Save it for a Gingerbread House
We have tried, and failed, to make beautiful gingerbread houses…every.single.year. If you use some leftover Halloween candy to decorate them, at least you won’t feel as guilty when it all slides down the side of the roof into a big lopsided pile. After all, you’ve probably got more.
Use it at a Baby Shower
I’m not saying you should EAT it there, I’m talkin’ about the good old fashioned dirty diaper game. I know, it seems like sacrilege to waste perfectly good chocolate this way, but remember the goal here. We’re trying to not eat all the things.
However you decide to use this year’s Halloween candy, thinking about the surplus in advance will help you manage your family’s intake.
