You either get to dress up in a costume and go around, or stay back at home distributing candy to everyone who stops by!

Every home has someone who stays back to distribute candies to kids (and adults) who stop by!

If you have a child who is in school, you will get to celebrate halloween or at least distribute candy to those around 🙂

The first round of kids start coming around 4:30-ish… they are the ones who tests the streets, mark the homes that give lots of candy, the miserly ones, the ones who give money instead of candy etc and the word gets around quickly. The streets are marked, the home addresses and routes are shared, and no matter what kids stop by – however late it is 🙂

Just like school homework, some kids get to plan ahead and finalize their costumes early, and also end up saving a good deal on their costumes. There are others who borrow the costumes from their friends and wear it to a different part of town. Some others finalize their costume or go for shopping on the previous night… (or even worse… the morning of halloween). Yes, they do exist…! They are the nightmarish ones… sending everyone in a frenzy shopping spree, waiting to wear coordinated costumes, themed ones etc etc. Parents of such kids – hats off to your patience! There are the sweet kids who put an effort to make their own costumes and pull it off!

Now comes the candy…

Every parent wants their kid to enjoy halloween, while not letting them eat a LOT of candy. Some of them even purchase good quality chocolates and chocolate bars to distribute to everyone!

Some of the parent favorites are

• KitKat
• Twix
• Snickers
• Reese’s puffs
• M&Ms
• Hershey’s bars
• Almond Joy

Some of the kids favorites are

• Skittles
• Starburst
• Ring pops
• Candy corn
• Lifesavers
• Dots
• Nerds
• Twizzlers
• Whoopers
• Butterfinger
• Tootsie rolls

Everyone seems to love the LARGE KitKats 🙂

Switch off your front yard lights to let kids know that you do not want to be disturbed. No one would come knocking on your door.

If you have a yard decorated with pumpkins and spooky effects, it is an unwritten invitation asking kids to stop by for halloween candy 🙂

This is the time of the year when homes are decorated for Halloween and Christmas! Drive by your community to enjoy the decorations!

• 7 days to earlier – Finalize (and purchase or make) halloween costumes
• 6 days earlier – Decorate yard
• 5 days earlier – Decide on the candy and purchase it
• 4 days earlier – Drive by local areas and finalize trick or treat location(s)
• 3 days earlier – Coordinate with friends and families who would be participating
• 2 days earlier – Decide who stays at home and who goes out
• 1 day earlier – Finalize halloween night dinner (order in or eat out) or prepare a meal in advance
• Halloween – Trick or Treat and enjoy the spooky holiday with kids!

The candy sorting and exchange is one of kids’ favorite activities after halloween!