I sat down and came up with a few ideas today.... I hope these can help someone.

1. Think up alternatives to giving out candy. It is what the kids are probably expecting, but I have frequently people give out pennies or small toys (e.g. plastic rings, spiders or those little bouncing balls you can get at the super-market) provided that the kid is old enough not to choke on them. Check specialty, Halloween-type stores for non-edible TrickorTreat goodies!

2. Do some extra walking! If you are a parent, then so much the better thta you should walk your kids around. You will not have to deal with the yummy treats at home. THe exercise will also boost your adrenaline, which equals less of an appetite.

3. Eat very filling stuff throughout the day so you will not be tempted to indulge on snacks or party-favors. You might want to forego that morning cup of coffee and mid-morning snack to have some extra carbs, or even (GASP!) an Atkins bar. Just remember that most people have trouble with the sugar alcohols!

4. If you do get tempted and MUST have something sweet, consider the LC candy or even 1-2 Dum-Dums pops. These are fairly high in sugar, yet they are yummy and only 2-3 carbs apiece. It's really better to eat as you would if it were 'not' an international feast-day, though.


Again, I hope this helps... please feel free to add some extra tips of your own!

Give out toothbrushes. Everyone else is giving out candy to rot the teeth. Feel altruistic...

hmm thats an idea.. but i would only give out "individually " wrapped ones b/c I know I wouldnt let my kid( if i had any) use one that wasnt,not this day and age

I found some good things at Wal-Mart:

Halloween pencils with witch or ghost glow-in-the-dark erasers.

Party favor toys, like the plastic spider rings, bony skeleton hands, spider webs.

My kids clamored for this stuff when I brought it home. They picked out some of this stuff to play with themselves.

I'm also giving away candy that I don't like -- nothing chocolate. The kids can have those Nerds and Bottle Caps. They are not a temptation for me. But Reese's Peanut Butter Cups -- that's another story.