How do you hand out candy on Halloween?

[AmberLee]

I think we had a total of about 50 kids here last evening, they came in clumps.

I usually hand out a small handful per child, then offer them a book. I sort them out by age and sound the kids out by their interests. (No body wanted the nifty science themed books this year. Sniff!) The horror (Goosebumps and the like) went the quickest, but the mysteries were popular, too. Occasionally a child would say X, the one I was handing him/her looked nice but they'd LOVE Y, whose title they could see from the stoop. On smaller groups of youngsters, I'd invite them to step up to the table and pick. I was a bit shocked when one of the trick or treaters proved to be ... I guess in his 40s and yes, he wanted candy and a book, too. Sheesh.

I have about 20-25 books left, a small stash towards next year. I do love collecting used kids books, usually starting in the spring. I love books and it's wonderful to hear a child say " I got a book!!!" as they leave. Mom overheard one group say what a wonderful house we were to come to for this holiday and I think she was a lot happier about the extra set up time it took. *wry smile*

So that's why I picked "other".

[beeniesmom]

Man I had over 175 kids (not kidding). I purchased about 10 bags of candy and was out in less than 2 hrs.
The first year, I'd let them pick and they'd take too much.
From then on out I pick 2 pieces and give it to them.
I still have the occasional one that puts his/her hand in it and grabs a handfull, but since it's few, I don't say anything.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I usually hand out a small handful per child, then offer them a book. I sort them out by age and sound the kids out by their interests. (No body wanted the nifty science themed books this year. Sniff!) The horror (Goosebumps and the like) went the quickest, but the mysteries were popular, too. Occasionally a child would say X, the one I was handing him/her looked nice but they'd LOVE Y, whose title they could see from the stoop. On smaller groups of youngsters, I'd invite them to step up to the table and pick. I was a bit shocked when one of the trick or treaters proved to be ... I guess in his 40s and yes, he wanted candy and a book, too. Sheesh.

I have about 20-25 books left, a small stash towards next year. I do love collecting used kids books, usually starting in the spring. I love books and it's wonderful to hear a child say " I got a book!!!" as they leave. Mom overheard one group say what a wonderful house we were to come to for this holiday and I think she was a lot happier about the extra set up time it took. *wry smile*

That has to be the most fantastic thing I have ever heard of anyone doing for Halloween (and to think I was patting myself on the back for "name" candy! )

You are incredible Amberlee!

[Lizzie]

I think we had a total of about 50 kids here last evening, they came in clumps.

I usually hand out a small handful per child, then offer them a book. I sort them out by age and sound the kids out by their interests. (No body wanted the nifty science themed books this year. Sniff!) The horror (Goosebumps and the like) went the quickest, but the mysteries were popular, too. Occasionally a child would say X, the one I was handing him/her looked nice but they'd LOVE Y, whose title they could see from the stoop. On smaller groups of youngsters, I'd invite them to step up to the table and pick. I was a bit shocked when one of the trick or treaters proved to be ... I guess in his 40s and yes, he wanted candy and a book, too. Sheesh.

I have about 20-25 books left, a small stash towards next year. I do love collecting used kids books, usually starting in the spring. I love books and it's wonderful to hear a child say " I got a book!!!" as they leave. Mom overheard one group say what a wonderful house we were to come to for this holiday and I think she was a lot happier about the extra set up time it took. *wry smile*

So that's why I picked "other".

As E.S. has already said, this is a truly wonderful idea, and one I never thought of - even though I work in a library. I haven't handed out anything for years because I can't afford relatively healthy treats for the masses of children I would get (I live within half-a-mile of two elementary, a middle and a high school) and I couldn't think of anything else. With used book-stores very close to where I work and a book sale held every year by our Information School (new name for library school) that has lots of children's books sent by publishers, I should start my own collection very soon - as soon as I don't have the expense of 19 foster cats in my home. Hmmm! I wonder if I could train one of my black cats to sit by my side on the front porch, on a leash?

[Jenn&Dean]

I picked "Offer the bowl". I live in a neighborhood where I have so many trick or treaters, I can't keep up with them all, so I just open my door to them, I set up a table with Apple Cider, cookies, a huge bowl of candy, and try to "Scary Spice" up my entryway. It's fun for me, and I'm sure fun for them as well. It's kind of a neighborhood tradition, open your house to the kiddos, let them come in.

But most people have their houses decorated much better than mine, not everyone can keep up with the Jones's... You know?

[AmberLee]

I love that my love of books has inspired some of you, too!

I counted the books left against the tally I'd set up for books to be offered. We had 52 "kids".