Do most people really make their kids get rid of most of their Halloween candy

[Anonymous]

Most of our celebrations and tradition are supremely wasteful, OP.

Americans are by far the most wasteful population on earth, in terms of non-useful energy consumption (leaving lights on), transport, food waste and sheer consumerism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m so tired of buying bags of the “good stuff” for my very busy neighborhood just to hear that so many parents just have their kids trade it in for a toy or cash or whatever. If that’s really the norm, why don’t we all switch to stickers?? Or tokens to trade in? What a waste. And no sending it to “the troops” isn’t cost effective, the money would be better spent by the orgs buying it bulk direct and having it send from manufacturer

For the record, my kids keep the candy and pick over it for the entire year. Xmas candy, valentines candy etc all gets tossed in, and yeah they get candy if they choose that for a treat regularly

Kids love collecting candy. I don’t know why parents hand out full-size bars or massive ziplocs filled with candy. My 8 yo brought home 8 lbs of candy one year! We donated most to a shelter.

[Anonymous]

My kids can have a couple of pieces after lunch and dinner every day until it is gone. Problem is, they get an absolutely absurd quantity of candy that this could go on for the entire year off of one Halloween night. I take a goood chunk of the candy to work (I work with a lot of younger people who are thrilled about this).

[Anonymous]

We don’t get crazy amounts of candy, and we don’t make her throw any out. I eat it, too! It’s usually gone by Thanksgiving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so tired of buying bags of the “good stuff” for my very busy neighborhood just to hear that so many parents just have their kids trade it in for a toy or cash or whatever. If that’s really the norm, why don’t we all switch to stickers?? Or tokens to trade in? What a waste. And no sending it to “the troops” isn’t cost effective, the money would be better spent by the orgs buying it bulk direct and having it send from manufacturer

For the record, my kids keep the candy and pick over it for the entire year. Xmas candy, valentines candy etc all gets tossed in, and yeah they get candy if they choose that for a treat regularly

Kids love collecting candy. I don’t know why parents hand out full-size bars or massive ziplocs filled with candy. My 8 yo brought home 8 lbs of candy one year! We donated most to a shelter.

We do this. The kids LOVE it. I buy an assortment and let them pick what they want. Their faces light right up! I mean who doesn’t want a free full size candy bar?? (Aside from the controlling parents, of course). I also put on a kick a$$ Halloween display so our house is pretty popular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Man this generation of parents is ruining everything.

I was born in the 80s and my parents controlled my candy access too.

Born in the 70s and my parents didn’t. Could Binge or save my haul as I saw fit.

[Anonymous]

My parents did this, and controlled "junk" food in general. Guess what I did any chance I got? Binged it all, and ended up obese for most of my life.

If you want your kids to grow up with a healthy relationship with food, dear god let them eat the crap and junk sometimes. Don't project your food issues onto your children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Man this generation of parents is ruining everything.

I was born in the 80s and my parents controlled my candy access too.

Born in the 70s and my parents didn’t. Could Binge or save my haul as I saw fit.

Same. Only the “weird” moms controlled the candy.

[Anonymous]

I agree. I don't want to buy dollar store crap so I buy haribou, pringles, goldfish, fruit snacks, cookies - stuff that can pass in a school lunch and hopefully won't get tossed.

Hopefully eventually we phase out giving out so much crap.

[Anonymous]

We save a good chunk then donate the rest. There is so much of it. I can’t imagine it being normal for anyone to eat all of it.

[Anonymous]

OP, I know some families who do the “switch witch” thing. It seems to be a lot about virtue, but I do know the families that do it donate the candies when possible (eg. Not during COVID, when holiday parades weren’t happening).

I guess I don’t understand the point of sending kids out to TOT if you don’t want them getting stuff. Host a small party, or find other activities that fit your values better (they’re not trading candy due to allergies or other similar issues). These are not even “no sugar” families as they regularly take their kids to Starbucks, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We save a good chunk then donate the rest. There is so much of it. I can’t imagine it being normal for anyone to eat all of it.

So why not just let your kids got out fewer houses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents did this, and controlled "junk" food in general. Guess what I did any chance I got? Binged it all, and ended up obese for most of my life.

If you want your kids to grow up with a healthy relationship with food, dear god let them eat the crap and junk sometimes. Don't project your food issues onto your children.

My parents did not control the junk food, and I binged all the time. Never got sick from too much sugar either. Not the way I'm wired, apparently. Also struggled with obesity throughout my life too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m so tired of buying bags of the “good stuff” for my very busy neighborhood just to hear that so many parents just have their kids trade it in for a toy or cash or whatever. If that’s really the norm, why don’t we all switch to stickers?? Or tokens to trade in? What a waste. And no sending it to “the troops” isn’t cost effective, the money would be better spent by the orgs buying it bulk direct and having it send from manufacturer

For the record, my kids keep the candy and pick over it for the entire year. Xmas candy, valentines candy etc all gets tossed in, and yeah they get candy if they choose that for a treat regularly

Kids love collecting candy. I don’t know why parents hand out full-size bars or massive ziplocs filled with candy. My 8 yo brought home 8 lbs of candy one year! We donated most to a shelter.

We do this. The kids LOVE it. I buy an assortment and let them pick what they want. Their faces light right up! I mean who doesn’t want a free full size candy bar?? (Aside from the controlling parents, of course). I also put on a kick a$$ Halloween display so our house is pretty popular.

Yes. One of my neighbors just posted about their chute that pushes out FULL size candy bars. Definitely going to visit! Even adults like full size candy bars! So much fun!

[Anonymous]

When I used to go to the office I would take some in and it would FLY out of the kitchen. It was amazing. I'll send some to the office with my DH this year.

But not this week. First, we'll let them go nuts, then taper down to enjoying it this week. Next week they will feel less excited and I'll start thinning the herd of the candies we have tons of and that I know aren't their favorite. I'll eat some, maybe I'll make some brownies with some, etc.

I may throw out the gross stuff (stop buying tootsie rolls!) but I wont' throw out a snickers