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If the leftover Halloween candy is causing a struggle in your
home, consider teaching a valuable community service
lesson to your children by donating it. |
Our family has way too much candy leftover from Halloween. We didn't get as many trick or treaters this year so we have bags of chocolate bars. Plus, my kids received tons of candy that has been taunting them daily. Is it the same scenario at your house? Although I encourage each of us to continue teaching our children about the proper behaviors around candy, we also must consider environmental triggers. I think candy donations to our military troops can be a great way to teach our children about community service and giving to others while also eliminating candy overconsumption in the household. At our house, we are putting together a care package that includes our candy along with handmade cards from our children thanking the troops for how they protect our country. Of course, we will be sure to include a message that encourages the troops to enjoy their candy in moderation so they can maintain a healthy lifestyle! My brother served two tours in Iraq and he said that it was wonderful to get candy in the mail because it was not available where he was stationed. Apparently, this is the case in many places soldiers are stationed in different parts of the world. Although I am not a fan of candy (I'm a salt vs. sweet kinda gal), I understand that others like it and would appreciate having some sent over for an occasional treat.
If you want to donate your candy, here are a couple places:
Operation Gratitude
Operation Shoebox
Halloween is fun because it comes once a year and then it's over. So don't let Halloween candy eating continue on and on to where the treats do a "trick" on your healthy lifestyle. Donate your candy this year! If you have any other great ideas on what to do with Halloween candy other than eating it all until it's gone, I would love to hear about them.
Great idea with the troops, althogh I wonder if they have good dental care over seas. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe give away small toys and bags of pretzles and popcorn instead of candy. Also, this year after we were done trick or treating around the block, my 4 and 5 year old sat out front with daddy and had so much fun passing out their own stash of sweets to the other kids. So grown up!
Elise got a bunch of candy that we are letting her enjoy in moderation too... we let her choose one piece as "dessert" and factor the carb amount into her meal. We raided her bucket for the candies that are good for low blood sugars (skittles, smarties, etc), but we alternate using those and bananas for her lows... it's nice to be able to give her a treat once in awhile out of the blue. I know some moms let their kids choose their favourites, then they "buy back" the rest of the candy with something they know their child would like. Or they leave it on the porch for the Great Pumpkin to take, and then he leaves something fun in place of the candy.
ReplyDeleteI just realized that all my ideas keep the candy in the house... good thing I have SOME willpower!