to offer only 'non-sweet' treats this halloween?

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my son has sensory issues, he doesnt eat sweets, won't even touch them, and dd, well.. dd eats more than i'd like at halloween. DS wants to get involved, but he won't even hold the bowl out if there's sweets in it!

i was considering, this year, offering up something different, sticker sheets, or halloween themed crayons...etc, just some little odds and ends from the pocket money bit of the toy shop, the crap you get in birthday party good bags basically.

good idea or not? would you, as a parent, complain if a house you went TorTing at offered non-sweets to your child to pick from instead of the usual chocolate and lolly pops?

YANBU, that's actually still a treat, and a very nice one for kids.

I really thought you were going to say that sweets and candies are the devil's and Umbrella Corporation's weapon to poison and fatten our children, so I feel a bit let down :)

I think I love you!

Balloons and bubble blowers!

"I really thought you were going to say that sweets and candies are the devil's and Umbrella Corporation's weapon to poison and fatten our children"

oh god no, i love sweets, and so does DD! I got the idea because i'm a member of a few SN groups and there's a movement in one to put out a painted pumpkin that says you're only offering stuff thats allergy friendly, so no gluten/nuts/lactose....etc, and someone else posted a picture that mentioned children like my DS who dont/cant/wont eat sweets and how it could be used for that, and suggested some non-food alternatives.

I wondered if it would fly here in the UK, or if you'd think the parent doing that was slightly nuts!

Fantastic go to tesco, Asda they have loads of party bag type stuff

What about glow bracelets as well? Children love them and they can be seen clearly in the dark. Lots of Halloween toys, tattoos etc for sale on eBay and Amazon.

On the estate where I used to live the kids complained if they got sweets and would egg your house in return for them. I imagine you would get the same response to stickers etc. They only wanted money - pound coins or above. Guess it probably depends where you live.

That would be fab. You've tempted me to go and look for suitable tat to offer here as well as the Evil Sugar.

Another one who thought you were going to say that you were giving out rice cakes or celery sticks and was all ready to reply, "FFS it's only once a year" etc but I think that sounds great. There was a woman on our road who actually did present Trick or Treaters with a bowl of home made hummus and a selection of vegetables to dip in it. It didn't go down well.

"Kids used to complain if they got sweets, they only wanted money" and "the home made hummus didn't go down well."
God, there's some badly brought dragged up little brats out there. What happened to teaching be grateful for what you receive?! Especially when you're going round begging for free stuff in the first place!

I think that's a lovely idea, I'm going to do the same. I think I'll get glow sticks.

Rice cakes or celery would be better than what my mum used to do. She'd give neighbourhood kids dog chocolates and laughed at me when I objected saying 'they were asking for a trick or treat, they got tricked'. My mum is a bit of twat sometimes .

They only wanted money - pound coins or above.

Given that I have upwards of 100 children at my door on Halloween, I would move!

I probably have close to 100. I'm always wondering purely what's the cheapest box of sweets to buy!! Those celebration tubs in asda are cheaper 4quid than the olden days but smaller... I need to know how many is in there.

Hadn't thought of non sweeties as I assumed expensive but now I'm going to Google....

We turned the lights out and closed curtains once out tub was finished last year!

OP even if your son didn't have sensory issues, it would be fine to give out different treats. I'm all for kids stuffing them self with sugary chemcials on Halloween but also all for a few non-food, non-sugary treats too, what's not to like? Have fun!

Glow sticks is a superb idea as it makes the kids more visible too. Those little ones which come in a cardboard tube with links to make bracelets would work well. You can get them in the pound shops - there's 12 or so in a pack.

I used to try to make sure glow sticks were a part of the costumes mine wore, but it never occurred to me to hand them out. I might have a few left in the cupboard - I'll add them to the bowl for this year.

We always bring the pumpkin in and turn the front lights out once we've had enough. It's accepted round here that kids only go to lit and decorated houses.

Last year was the first year I've had that lots of kids turned up - before that, I was left with a whole load of stuff - so I'm afraid I have to play safe this year and only get things that we'll definitely use afterwards if no-one comes. I'll still think about the suggestions above though.

MamaTJ I would move! I did! It was a massive relief where we now live to have never had someone knock on the door.

I miss the day when it was apples, tangerines and nuts that was given out. The few sweets were an added bonus but not the expected thing. My neighbour did toffee apples and everyone used to hotfoot it there. Did get a slice of birthday cake from one house one year as that was all the young guy had.

give the beggars fruit. It is good for them.

anyone who complains gets a 'trick'...

Now that's a notion I haven't heard before!

I think it's a fabulous idea. Am definitely going to give it a go

Home Bargains has glow sticks for 59p for 15 that make bracelets as been shopping today.

Sounds fab, my 2 would be very happy! I might even add some random stuff to my stash.