Halloween might just be my favorite holiday. All of the excitement surrounding costumes, decorations and chocolate goodies makes my heart sing! Although I don’t go trick-or-treating anymore, I do still love to hand out treats at my door…here are some tips for you at home:

Non-food treats: Create a safe environment by handing out glow-sticks, stickers, toothbrushes, fancy pencil toppers, bookmarks and coloring books.

Handling candy at home

• Keep candy in a location only accessible to you. Consider giving away the candy or disposing of it after a few days.
• Inventory the Halloween treats for forbidden and safe treats; allow a few pieces on Halloween night.
• Give one piece of candy along with a healthy food such as fresh fruit or at the conclusion of a healthy lunch or dinner.
• Always brush your teeth after eating candy – perhaps there is a new toothbrush in your Halloween bag!

Having a Halloween party?

This is a great opportunity to offer better-for-you Halloween treats parents and kids can enjoy together.

• Veggie and cheese kabobs – garnish serving tray with plastic spiders, bugs, and bats!
• Pick up mini Halloween candy bags and fill with home-made trail mix. Combine dried fruits such cranberries, apricots & raisins with granola and dark chocolate pieces.
• Invite your guests to make their own chocolate covered apples and dip in pecan pieces, coconut, or cereal.
• Bake quick breads such as zucchini and banana bread – add apples, pears or dried fruits for extra sweetness and nutrients.
• Incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin and apples. Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie, baked apples, apple cider are all popular choices.

Party activity ideas: decorating pumpkins, dunking for apples, costume contest, pin the heart on the scarecrow, face painting and decorating cookies or cupcakes.