Halloween Tricks 'n Tips

by Amy Crelly

Meet the Halloween Fairy…
A lot like her cousin, the tooth fairy, this kind spirit leaves a rich reward for little trick-or-treaters who want to trade in some of their candy. Our publisher/mom/resident child development expert, Sue, did this with her three kids, starting with their very first Halloweens.

Here’s how it works: The kids get to pick out a certain number of pieces from their trick-or-treating booty. The rest goes next to their beds that night, where it’s collected by—who else?—her Fairy-ness and replaced with a special present (something less sugary but just as delightful, like a new book, a toy or movie passes). As kids get older, the amount of candy they can keep may become more negotiable, but it’s still a nice alternative for parents who don’t want to see their kids gain weight, get cavities, or go berserk, but still want to see them have fun!

Devilish?
This one also comes from our publisher, Sue: “One year my very frugal brother (some have called him "cheap") decided he’d rather not buy Halloween candy for the kids in his neighborhood, so he put an empty bowl out on his porch with a note taped to it reading, ‘Please take just one!’ and left for a costume party.” (I believe ideas like this are encoded on the Y chromosome.)

Green Is the New Orange & Black
Looking for a way to light up your little trick-or-treater without generating holiday waste? Try repurposing your bike light for the night. Models like the Guppy Light have two settings, steady or flash, and can be easily worn on little wrists, fastened to costumes, or attached to the handles of trick-or-treat bags or pumpkin pails (available at Bicycle Chef in Midtown for $9.99 each or $17.99 for a twin pack). Detachable reflectors can be used similarly. On November 1st, the gear goes back on their bikes (for more safety lighting)—and not a thing goes into the landfill. Sweet!