01 Nov, 2009
post-Halloween thoughts
Posted by andrea tomkins in: Easy ways to make kids happy|parenting
When I was a kid I remember collecting Halloween candy in giant pillowcases, making my own costumes (that is, unless you count the time time I wore this costume … although mine was Snow White!), and I remember the candy. Back then people were still handing out the odd apple and handfuls of loose peanuts. I don’t think chips were very common. Chocolate was kind of scarce. There were lots of lollipops, and molasses chews in orange and black wrappers. I loved those, even though I was liable to lose a filling or two.
I always ate the good stuff first, and by the end it was all Dubble Bubble and Thrills gum.
Fast forward to today: I can’t believe how much candy we have in the house. Pictured here is Sarah’s haul. We also have candy left over. Not pictured: a bottle of Chubby soda and a can of apple juice. (Who gives out apple juice at Halloween?)
We’ve always told the girls that Halloween is the Season of Sharing. Makes sense, right? Neighbors share loot with you, and you (meaning the girls) share with your parents. So far that has worked out just fine.
I will be eating my fair share of their candy. The chips will go into lunches and the rest will be partitioned out on a daily basis for WEEKS to come.
Last year I hived off 30-40 pieces of candy, hid it in a grocery bag in the bottom of our china cabinet and didn’t pull it out until the Spring. Chocolate and candy have a long shelf life, so I wasn’t worried. And I was the hero of the day for procuring a fresh supply of rockets and Tootsie Rolls.
I’d be interested in hearing about your theories on candy distribution. Do you let your kids eat as much as they want, or do you draw a line somewhere?