Halloween is all about the costumes, the boos, and of course the C-A-N-D-Y!
Going door-to-door (or trunk to trunk!) dressed in costumes with family and friends is fun and a great tradition, but let's be real — it's all about those fun-sized treats! Plus, did you know Halloween is the ultimate day to indulge without the guilt? (That's official.)
But all that candy may be overwhelming and, despite our best efforts, we can't eat all of those chocolate bars after they've gone to bed — right? If you do have leftovers, what can you do with the next-day sweets? We have ideas! Nine to be exact. Here's what you can do with all that extra Halloween candy starting Nov. 1:
1. Donate to troops or first responders
Operation Gratitude distributes Halloween candy to deployed troops, local military units, veterans, and first responders all over the world — providing a sweet opportunity for grateful Americans to thank those who serve our nation. You can sign up as an individual, group, or business and send your candy to Operation Gratitude. Want something closer to home? A group called Soldiers' Angels lets you search by zip code to find a location near you to donate.
2. Support a good cause
Many charities take candy, not just after Halloween but after Valentine's and Easter too. Call your local food pantry, homeless shelter, or nursing home to see if they would like a donation of unopened Halloween candy. Local residents provided other ideas on Facebook recently, including donating candy to police and fire stations, and to teachers for treats in the teachers' lounge and in their classrooms. Churches that provide service to Indy's homeless also take candy donations as a treat after a hot, home-cooked meal.
3. Find a candy buy-back program near you
There are businesses — it seems to most often be dentists —that have a candy buy-back offer post-Halloween. I found two local buy-back efforts/events:
- Kingseed Family Dental (3960 Clarks Creek Rd., Plainfield) will pay $1/lb up to 5 pounds, November 1-5. Candy will be donated to our troops.
- Martine Dentistry at Stonegate (7365 E. Stonegate Dr., Zionsville) will pay $1/lb, up to $10/person, and they use the candy to support Operation Gratitude.
 blueorangestudio via Canva |
4. Get in the holiday spirit
Christmas is right around the corner. Store your leftover Halloween treats until it's time to decorate that gingerbread house, and use some as stocking stuffers!
 Getty Images Signature via Canva |
5. Make trail mix
Just add chocolate, candy corn, raisins, pretzels, and other leftover goodies in with some pumpkin seeds, nuts, dried fruit, and/or popcorn and you'll have an instant afternoon pick-me-up.
6. Freeze it
Freeze leftover candies, then add to your holiday coffees or hot chocolates for a little surprise you and the kids will love!
 Getty Images via Canva |
7. Sweeten up that sundae bar
Have a birthday or other special event coming up? Make a sundae bar with leftover Halloween candy! Simply unwrap the candies and divide them into bowls for kids (or adults!) to add to a DIY sundae. It's always sundae night somewhere.
8. Say goodbye to chocolate chips
Instead of adding chocolate chips to your favorite cookie, brownie, or cupcake recipe, cut or smash chocolate candy bars into similar-sized pieces. It'll be a surprise in every bite!
 Olga Kriger via Canva |
9. Make a fondue
Yep, empty all that chocolate (don't forget the caramels too!) into a slow cooker. Add some cream, and let it get ooey-gooey. Just add fresh fruit on skewers to dip and you're set!
