Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
Be the best with 13 lucky ‘no sweet' handouts
Every year, the sugar overload from Halloween trick or treating and harvest parties can do damage for several days (if the candy even lasts that long). Kids experience the highs – and crashes – of consuming too many sweets, too close together. In fact, the Pacific Science Center (pacificsciencecenter.org) states that the average trick or treat bag contains 4,800 calories, 3 cups of sugar, and 1.5 cups of fat.
Help your trick or treat guests cut those unhealthy numbers and be the best with these 13 no sweet handouts.
1. Homemade crayons:
Use up old crayons – or buy a few cheap packages (you can get a box of 48 for only $1 at Dollar Tree) – and make homemade, Halloween shaped crayons. Pick up a themed candy mold from a candy supply shop or a store like Party City for a couple of dollars. Remove the paper wrappings from each crayon, and break (or chop with a sharp knife), into small pieces. Place pieces into the mold, and melt the crayons at 200 degrees. Once melted, remove from the oven and fully cool. Pop them out of the mold. Estimated price for 100 small crayons, $5.
2. Stampers:
Get 50 assorted stampers from OrientalTrading.com for less than $10 right now.
3. Assorted small toys:
Get 100 for less than $20 right now on Oriental Trading or by hitting the dollar store and combing the abundant options.
Bonus: Want to save even more on OrientalTrading.com? Shop their clearance and “less than perfect” sections.
4. Pretzels in individual bags:
A trick or treat hit, you can get a 40-count Utz brand package for under $5 at Walmart.
5. Goldfish crackers in individual bags:
Loved by kids and adults alike, get a 25-count bag for around $5 at Walmart.
6. Mini bubbles:
They don't have to be Halloween themed to be fun. Get them by the box online or at the dollar store. Also check Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics for clearance offers. About $5 for 40 bottles.
7. Temporary tattoos:
Get approximately 24 for $2 at Walmart, or check the dollar store and online.
8. Mini erasers:
Get a huge assortment online from Oriental Trading (currently they have a 720 count package for less than $15), or shop the dollar store for themed erasers or pencil toppers.
9. Sticker sheets:
You can get a book of 50 sheets for only $1 at Dollar Tree.
10. Glow in the dark sticks, necklaces or bracelets:
Dollar Tree has 20-count glow bracelet packs for just $1.
11. Bead necklaces:
Order online or get 8-count packs from Dollar Tree for $1 each.
12. Themed pencils:
Get 12-count packs from the dollar store, or order in bulk online.
13. Treat coupons:
Get packs of treat coupons, for local restaurants. These coupons aren't necessarily all sugar-free, but they are a nice item to give out, and different than straight candy. Booklets of multiple coupons sell for around $1 at restaurants like McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's. Some other businesses offer these booklets as well, such as 7-11's 20 small Slurpees books for $5. These books go fast, and not all locations participate in the promotion, so I recommend looking for these early in the month.
If you choose to go with something like small toys, rings, or mini erasers, or anything else small: Be sure to hand it to the parent or another adult with any child that looks to be 3 or under. This is a safety precaution since you never know if they may stick it in their mouth.
