Are you wondering what to do with all the leftover Halloween candy this season brings? A little candy will not make or break your health goals…but a lot will! Here are some ways to lighten the load.
Give Away Your Leftover Candy
Donate leftover Halloween candy to the troops!
Remind kids (and yourself) that all over the world, there are men and women in uniform who aren’t spending Halloween and other holidays with their families. Check out Operation Shoebox‘s website, then ship your excess candy to them at this address:
Operation Shoebox
8360 E Highway 25
Belleview, FL 34420
Donate candy to families staying far from home
Ronald McDonald House Charities provides temporary lodging to families of seriously ill children, who travel out of town for pediatric medical care. Click here to find your local chapter, then check to see if they are currently accepting candy donations.
Make candy care packages to hand out
Make small care packages for your child’s teachers, daycare provider or grandparents. Or give as a small gift to your cashier and bagger, your mail delivery person, the UPS guy, the pet groomer, or anyone else in your life.
Gift leftover candy to senior citizens
Many senior centers accept candy donations for their residents. There’s bound to be one near you that would love to be considered!
Repurpose Your Leftover Halloween Candy
Make your own trail mix
Use small bags of Reese’s Pieces or M&Ms along with unsalted nuts, dried fruit, and whole-grain cereal to create a tasty trail mix that you and your kids will love. Bonus points: Plan a fall hike and pack some homemade trail mix to fuel your trek.
Set Some aside for decorating gingerbread houses
Brainstorm out-of-the-box ways to decorate a gingerbread house using the candy your family has collected. PS: gingerbread houses are a great day-after-Thanksgiving project for both kids and adults!
Fill your advent calendars
December will be here before we know it. Got a special Advent calendar you use year after year? Use extra candy to fill this year’s calendar.
Save some for your next birthday bash
Have a birthday coming up? Leftover Halloween candy is ideal for stuffing a piñata. Candy also comes in handy for party prizes and gift bags.
Use it in your holiday baking projects
Attending a cookie exchange? Look for recipes that include candy. Or crumble some Butterfingers or chopped Twix and sprinkle onto frosting as a cupcake topper.
Freeze for the Easter Bunny
Today’s extra Halloween candy is next spring’s Easter egg stuffing!
Get Crafty
Search “leftover Halloween candy” on Pinterest and you’ll be amazed by the cute, clever and FUN ways you can use candy while creating simple, family-friendly crafts.
Other Ideas for Leftover Halloween Candy
Check for candy exchanges at your dentist’s office
Check with your dentist or orthodontist to see if he or she offers a candy exchange. If so, trading in candy could earn your child prizes, discounted services, or even money. This candy is often donated to organizations that partner with businesses to send candy to troops.
If all else fails….
Bring your stash to the office where it is sure to disappear quickly.
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Meet with a Registered Dietitian
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