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Recycling Leftover Halloween Candy

Twice the Candy-coated Halloween Fun

By Gina Roberts-Grey, LCSW

Rob Grzelka of Algonquin, Ill., says his 11-year-old daughter, Nicole, added a twist to this with an old shoebox. A small shipping or cereal box gives a 3-D element to the project when kids use several sides to create the calendar. Children will look forward to opening the days one at a time to discover what treat was hidden under each day. Crafty kids like Nicole can use a surplus of candy to make calendars for Mom and Dad's desk or office as well. Don't forget that grandparents, aunts and uncles all love the thoughtful gestures of an original masterpiece made with tender loving care!

• Spend a gloomy day filling festive goodie bags or baggies with a variety of candy tied with a festive bow. Children can also decorate tissue paper or lunch bags with holiday drawings or pictures cut from magazines. As the parents of a diabetic child, every year Marge and Ed Miller of Crystal Lake, Ill., contact a local shelter, children's hospital or children's organization to schedule a visit. "An afternoon passing out treats to children warms your heart and generates a theme of compassion for our family during the holidays," says Miller. Child Advocate Specialist Diana Derby emphatically agrees. "Teaching children compassion, sharing and the rewards of helping others will be a beneficial lifelong experience for everyone," says Derby.

• Another way to prepare for the upcoming holiday season is making a candy turkey, wreath or Christmas tree. Using cardboard or poster board, children can cut out either a traced or freehand turkey, wreath or their favorite holiday symbol. Taping colrful pieces of candy for the feathers or boughs will add a festive flair to the anticipation of the season. Removing one piece a day as a count down to the holiday or as a reward for accomplishing household chores will encourage self-discipline for consuming the candy and give them a treat to look forward to.
• Save some favorites for a rainy day scavenger hunt. John Crabb's four children look forward to him hiding pieces and then using clues that send them and their friends hunting around the house. "There are times when we make it a chore scavenger hunt and give cryptic clues for where they can find candy," says the Crystal Lake, Ill., dad.

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