I need to buy Halloween goodies

[conuly]

I tell you, it's amazing being able to get that stuff in advance rather than having to run out the day of because of my inability to trust the children to have any impulse control whatsoever. I now can trust them! Well, they are both adults now, I should hope I could trust them at least a little.

What should I get?

*******************

Something Wicked This Way Paddles

If You Plant Milkweed, They Will Come. (And Not Just the Butterflies.)

How Scientists Tracked the Movements of a 17,000-Year-Old Woolly Mammoth

US zoo saving endangered red wolf, one dental checkup at a time

The Fuss About Fuchka: A Bengali Street Food’s N.Y. Origin Story

Japan’s top court strikes down required sterilization surgery to officially change gender

China’s youngest-ever astronauts blast off to space station

UAW strike: Ford and union agree record pay rise in tentative deal

To tackle homelessness faster, LA has a kind of real estate agency for the unhoused

Runaway zebras delighted the nation — and exposed their owner’s dark past

Rehabilitating Lahaina

In Global Conflict Zones, Hospitals and Doctors Are No Longer Spared

At least 16 people dead, sources say, as a ‘person of interest’ is being sought in two shootings in Lewiston, Maine

At least 24 killed, including at least 12 police officers, in attacks in Mexico

Dairy Workers on Wisconsin’s Small Farms Are Dying. Many of Those Deaths Are Never Investigated. (The inspectors concluded they couldn’t investigate because OSHA is banned from enforcing safety laws on farms with fewer than 11 workers unless they have employer-provided housing known as a “temporary labor camp.” What bullshit is this!?)

Among New York’s Sidewalk Sideshows, 2 Goats and a Story of Despair

An increase in harassment against Jewish and Muslim Americans has been reported since Hamas attacks

Developing World Sees Double Standard in West’s Actions in Gaza and Ukraine

Hurricane Otis: How a tropical storm turned into a 'nightmare scenario' overnight

Comments

[sallymn]

We get very few trick or treaters (none for the last two years) and neither of us work any more so can't offload the uneaten lollies on coworkers. We're still working out what to do that won't involve eating them all ourselves...

[conuly]

Drop them off at the local little free pantry or food bank? I know it seems like kids get enough candy as it is, and you're not wrong, but children like to fit in and they like to have name brand candies to share with their friends after lunch.

[bibliofile]

I still have some plastic creature rings that I bought from the dime store before it went out of business. Housemate had some pens with cute creatures on the tops. They're also free of allergens & thus good for most kids. If you want to spend a little more, tiny tubs of Play Doh?

For candy, I'm thinking Jolly Ranchers this year. (It's harder for me to snarf them quickly, unlike some other candy. I have a huge sweet tooth.)

[conuly]

Just a note, if you're buying play-doh on the grounds that it's allergen free, you should know that it's not - it has wheat, making it iffy both for people with wheat allergies and also celiacs.

[bibliofile]

I was thinking more that non-food items offer options other than food. Good point about the allergens in Play-Doh, though.

[malada]

I'm reminded of the comic with Death coming to the door on Halloween and getting treats. Quote from Death:

"Mrs. Barnes I have come for you... What? Full sized Snickers bars? Never mind, Mrs. Barnes... we're good."

[conuly]

*grin*

[movingfinger]

The what-to-buy depends on how many kids you'll get and whether you want leftovers that are useful. Plain chocolate bars can be broken up for cookies, for example! That was always my go-to in previous years. Even did those mini Tony's chocolate squares once. I assume the kids like everything or trade what they don't like.

I went with jelly beans this year. In previous years, about 25-30 kids came, so I got 3 dozen and fortunately I like jelly beans and also I have contractors around whose kids are ecstatic when their parents bring home extra candy.

[james]

I would get a big bag of chocolate with caramel, and then I would eat it all myself and not share, so maybe my advice isn't the best... ;-)

[readerjane]

I think it all depends on what you want to do with the leftovers. Do you want candy where you'll never be tempted to eat what's left? Or candy that won't go to waste because you'll enjoy eating what's left? (I never like to just buy a small amount because I'd rather not give out candy at all, than have to turn out my lights halfway through the evening because I ran out.)