If your children are like mine they probably had a bucket of candy from community events and school parties before it was even Halloween. Now that Halloween and trick-or-treating is over, that bucket is overflowing! I have to have a game plan as to what we're going to do with it all. Here's a few ideas that may help reduce the candy pile- and possible future dental bill.....
Speaking of dentists, Mortenson Family Dental is giving you a chance to Swap your Treats for a $5 gift card or $5 cash (each location may be different). All you do is bring in at least a sandwich size bag full of candy (no chocolate) to any Mortenson, Braces Braces Braces, or Kid's Dentistree the first week in November. Mortenson then sends all the candy to troops through Operation Gratitude.
This could also be a great opportunity to talk to your child about giving and helping others. My family tries to make shoe boxes every year that are sent to children around the world (Operation Christmas Child). Certain types of candy are allowed to be sent in those boxes. If this is something that your family may be interested in, find more info here. There are local places that may accept candy donations as well, check with local shelters or community centers.
Keep some for holiday baking or crafts! I'm thinking candy corn turkeys around Thanksgiving time and gingerbread men with M&M eyes and buttons around Christmas. And don't forget about those dozens of sugar cookies that will need to be decorated for your holiday parties!
Speaking of the holidays.....save some of the candy for stocking stuffers or gifts. My daughter's birthday is in December, so we save some for goody bags (or a pinata).
If your children are like mine, they may not like every kind of candy. That's when we sort what they like and what they don't like. Guess who gets to take the unwanted candy to work for his office buddies....daddy!
What does your family do to control the candy overload this time of year?
