NBR: Teal Pumpkin Project?

Re: NBR: Teal Pumpkin Project?

• MrsB915 member

  October 2015

  I hadn't heard of this before but as someone who has food allergies I think it is a great idea. I usually have some sort of non food item to pass out and that's what usually goes first! One year I found small containers of play doh in Halloween colors, this year we found a great deal on glow stick bracelets so we will be passing those out as well as candy. I also always have a treat like pretzels, gummed or goldfish for the very little ones.

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• ashs88 member

  October 2015

  I have heard of this, but haven't done it before. I am considering doing this for trick or treating this year though. I think I would probably have the regular candy choices as well as some non-food choices and just put them all in the same bowl so the kids can pick what they want. I know my 3-year-old would be just as happy with a small toy as he would with candy, but I would guess maybe the older kids would be disappointed to not get candy.

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• ntyravgsp member

  October 2015

  @ashs88 that's what we were thinking of doing too.

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• nackie member

  October 2015

  We haven't done it before, but are going to this year. We'll have toys in addition to candy. I haven't decided what yet though, I'll see what I can get a good deal on

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• mamaksweez member

  October 2015

  I like the idea, last year I just bought candy that we liked (for leftovers) and we ended up with Snickers and Reese's cups. I did have a few kids tell me they couldn't have either because they were allergic to peanuts. I felt bad and told them to trade with a friend for something they could eat.
  We've never really had food allergies so it didn't even occur to me to think about it. I'll definitely have a non peanut option this year, and maybe a toy depending on cost.
  
  I'm sure this is a UO, but part of me feels like: you're knocking on my door expecting me to give you something. Beggars can't be choosers. But I do agree it should be a fun holiday for everyone.

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• ntyravgsp member

  October 2015 edited October 2015

  We usually try to do a mix of a chocolate and a fruity candy, but DH brought up the teal pumpking project and I thought it was neat. Not sure how many kids in my area have food allergies but I know DD is at an age where she'd be happier with a little toy.
  Eta I agree with PP who said older kids would probably look forward to candy more.

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• fragglemom member

  October 2015

  I do the teal pumpkin. My DH has a severe peanut allergy. To err on the side of caution he won't even eat anything that's been near a peanut product. He breaks out in hives just if someone near him is eating peanut butter.
  I hope that we all avoid having babies with severe allergies. Not only are most people really insensitive about it, but it's absolutely terrifying to see a loved one experience anaphylaxis.
  I pick up little toys when I see a good deal. This year it will be glow sticks and playdough.

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• ChrissyD1203 member

  October 2015

  No kiddies trick or treat near my neighborhood. Makes me so sad and jealous of you all who get to hand out candy and toys, but after 6 years in a row of buying bags of candy and not getting a single knock on the door, I'm not buying anything this year.

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• ntyravgsp member

  October 2015

  Yikes @jessfragione that sounds really scary! I hope your LO doesn't inherit that allergy! Where have you been finding good deals on those little toys?
  
  @ChrissyD1203 you watch, this'll be the year you get some because you didn't get candy to hand out. 8-}

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• apinkpelican member

  October 2015

  My sister is doing it and just told me about it. She is painting a fake pumpkin from the craft store so she can use it each year. She's a dietician so all about these kinds of things.
  
  I just hope the older kids who already are too old for trick or treating don't take advantage. Then again they probably just want candy and doubt they'd want a sticker or whatever the non-good prize is.

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• fragglemom member

  October 2015 edited October 2015

  @ntyravgsp I'm a clearance bin stalker. I got the glow sticks on 4th of July clearance and the playdough packs on clearance from the TJMAX toy section. I'm always on the lookout. I don't have to worry about stuff like that expiring so I'm on the lookout all year long. I like to have a stash all the time anyway in case we have fun sized guests.
  ETA: I had seen studies that it can't hurt to consume peanuts in the hope of avoiding an allergy for the baby. I've been having peanut butter every day that my husband is out of the house, but I use the same segregated knife every time and have to clean all traces of it away so DH doesn't come into contact with it. It sucks.

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• rah938 member

  October 2015

  My son has a food allergy and dysphasia, and we usually end up bringing toys to his daycare for them to give out to him instead of candy. We haven't been trick or treating house to house because of it. I think it's a great idea for those willing to have a few of something to hand out to those with allergies, but of course we wouldn't go trick or treating expecting it. I wish we got trick or treaters at our house so we could participate, but we live too far out and have never had any.

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• ashs88 member

  October 2015

  FYI for anyone planning on doing this - OrientalTrading.com has tons of Halloween toy assortments that would work perfectly for trick-or-treating. And a lot of them are actually cheaper than buying the bulk candy!

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