Five Trick or Treat Candy Alternatives for Halloween

Maybe you want to be different. Or maybe with all the news stories about child obesity, you want to avoid adding to the "epidemic." But it's hard to turn away Trick-or-treaters at Halloween, especially when cute kids dressed up as monsters, princesses, and superheroes are expecting buckets of sweet, unhealthy goodies that are a staple of this holiday.

Fresh fruit or baked goods are not a good idea due to safety issues. We've gone from checking for razors in the apple to throwing out the apple altogether. Unless you know the kids personally, baked goods are never a good idea. Chances are that parents will throw them out and you'll have wasted time and money.

If you want to get away from the candy and give the kiddies something different, though, there are alternatives, and some of them won't even stretch your budget beyond what you would have spent on that giant bag of mixed candy.

1. Gift cards or certificates - This option is ideal for anyone living in a low traffic area. My grandparents used to live so far out of town that they rarely got more than three Trick or Treaters besides their grandkids. They'd often buy king size candy bars for the lucky few who made it out that way. If you fall into the same situation, buy some five dollar gift cards at local kid friendly stores or stores with toy sections, such as Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, and Target. Certificates to the local movie theater are also a good choice (make sure to slip some in for Mom and Dad too).

2. Dried fruit packs - Raisins, cranberries, prunes, dried apples, and banana chips can be found in individual sealed packs. Raisin boxes are sometimes even put with the Halloween candy, showing that grocery stores are jumping on the alternative treat bandwagon. Spend a little extra and pass these out this year instead of candy. They'll satisfy a sweet tooth with a few added nutrients and less of a sugar high.

3. Dollar store toys - Kids might not appreciate the joys of Dollar Store, but they can certainly have fun with toys. Plus, toys have longer staying power than candy, which can be gone in a night if it's not portioned out. You can by several large toys or small packs of toys in bulk. Some examples I've seen at our local dollar store include mini-sized playing cards, whistles, toy cars and trucks, dolls, or crayons and coloring books. Be sure to buy kid safe for the younger ones.

4. Money - Throw dollars in for the younger Trick or Treaters, change in for the older ones. (at Halloween, the share of the spoils should go to the little guys). All you have to do is break a couple twenties at the bank and you're set for the evening.

5. Cracker and cookie packs - Like fruit, crackers and cookies now come in individual sized servings for portion controlled consumption. They also make great treats for Halloween. You can find whole grain crackers and cookies in these small packs, and several come to a box. This is a much better treat than candy, and something that health conscious parents can munch on with their kids.

Plan ahead this season and be different. Go the non-candy route and parents everywhere will thank you for it.