So your kids plan to trick-or-treat until they can’t take another step, but you know already they don’t need to eat all the candy they collect. What do you do with all of that sweet stuff left laying around the house? Some dentists actually buy it back by the pound. Check with your doc to see if that’s an option in their office. Or, donate it to a group that would appreciate a candy contribution. Many military members love getting care packages and as long as it won’t melt (ie—chocolate), you may really make their day by sending a box full of goodies to a soldier overseas. Operation Gratitude is a non-profit that welcomes your excess Halloween candy for its care packages to the U.S. military. So far, OpGrat has sent more than 660,000 care packages. For more details you can send email to OpGrat@gmail.com.
You can also help your kids get crafty with their candy and tackle a variety of projects with the goodies, including making picture frames and funky figurines. Or, you can get creative with the candy and make a special dessert. You can find recipes are all over the web, including cdkitchen and razzledazzlerecipes.
Another option if you know the candy will last is to stash it away for stocking stuffers at Christmas. Or, use it to help decorate a Gingerbread House.
Want something that will really wow the kids? Try this project, compliments of Science Mom. Start by getting the following items together: Metal cookie cutters (large copper ones are best), vegetable spray, hard candies, aluminum foil, a straw and string.
Preheat your oven to 350°. Line the cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Spray the cookie cutters and aluminum foil with vegetable cooking spray.
Fill the inside of the cookie cutters with a single layer of candy using as many as will fit. Bake 5 to 7 minutes until candies are melted. Remove from oven and allow candy to cool about 2 minutes.
Make a hole in each with a straw to thread ribbon through for hanging, then continue cooling until the cutters can be handled. Very gently pull cutters away from ornament. Thread with ribbon, and they will be ready to hang on the Christmas tree.
Now think about how much fun it will be to have your children take those ornaments around to neighbors who originally gave them the hard candy!
