S/o TOT ing- candy requests

kmm2150

we get a TON of trick or treaters. When it gets really busy, I just grab candy and put it in their bags Nd don't let them pick. I feel like this is what I had growing up. Do you have parents/kids ASKING for nut free/dairy free etc., or do you make it known that you have these available?

FYI, I think it's great to consider these options, ive just never seen this level of specificity in my TOTing experience. Just curious how it works.

klondikebar

I've seen it different ways. I guess it depends on the type and severity of the allergy. DS2 couldn't have dairy and I just separated it later. It wasn't life threatening if he accidentally had a bite down the driveway. I've had both the child and parent ask me for a nut-free treat.

msdrdg

I try to buy at least one dairy safe candy because our neighbor's daughter is allergic, but other than that I expect the kid or parent to either say something or sort at home. 

FWIW, neighbor's daughter is 4 and knows to ask if the candy is milk free.

klondikebar

BunkinMama said:

We don't have a bowl big enough to hold all the candy. Maybe we should buy a cauldron!

Or eat enough of the candy so it fits in one bowl.

credcat7

There is a teal pumpkin movement. You paint A pumpkin tell and it indicates you have candy/food free options for kids with allergies

Wulfgar

I don't worry about this.  My thoughts is that the parents and if the child is old enough, they will separate at home.

lildevil968

credcat7 said:

There is a teal pumpkin movement. You paint A pumpkin tell and it indicates you have candy/food free options for kids with allergies

We're doing this this year. DS has life threatening food allergies, and I know of 2 more kids in the neighborhood who also suffer from food allergies. As for the candy given to my son, I replace it with allergen free candy that he can have. This is the responsibility of the parents, not the people handing out candy.

fancynewbeesly

somerandomchick said:

A lot of candy even if it's nut-free is packaged at the same plants, and if I've been handling Snickers and also the Twizzlers or w/e for allergic kids, I'd worry about cross-contamination for the severely allergic. So I wouldn't want to pretend like I can offer candy that hasn't been potentially tainted, if that makes sense? If your kid is too sensitive for you to just pick wrapped no-no candies out I'm not sure I can provide a safe ToT experience for you. Does that make sense? I would just hand out unless the kid or parent asks specifically

As a peanut allergy mom, there are DEFINITELY candies that are completely safe for my daughter: Skittles, twizzlers, nerds, starburst, smarties, gummy bears, tootsie rolls and lollipops. All of those candies are from peanut safe plants as well. So yeah, I have no problem requesting those candies for her and letting her choose one of them.