Comments on: My deal with the devil – er, with Batman and Darth Vader http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:55:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: liz http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-55485 liz Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:47:17 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-55485 I always bring our extra candy to the Polls. But that's because EVERY year's an election year here in Virginia. I always bring our extra candy to the Polls. But that’s because EVERY year’s an election year here in Virginia.

]]> By: fizzchick http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-55318 fizzchick Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:29:54 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-55318 I know I'm a bit late on this, but my elementary school (ages ago) used to collect extra Halloween candy for the local soup kitchen. The local scout troops would sort it and put it in small baggies. Then when the high school key club made bag lunches, they'd put a small bag of candy in each lunch. The soup kitchen gave out the bag lunches at the end of their Thanksgiving meal, since they were closed afterward for a couple of days. It was a really good way to get the candy out of the house and make the kids think about someone else for a change. Plus it made a good lead in to the holiday canned food drives. Anyway, it might be worth asking if your local food pantry/soup kitchen would appreciate donations. I know I’m a bit late on this, but my elementary school (ages ago) used to collect extra Halloween candy for the local soup kitchen. The local scout troops would sort it and put it in small baggies. Then when the high school key club made bag lunches, they’d put a small bag of candy in each lunch. The soup kitchen gave out the bag lunches at the end of their Thanksgiving meal, since they were closed afterward for a couple of days. It was a really good way to get the candy out of the house and make the kids think about someone else for a change. Plus it made a good lead in to the holiday canned food drives. Anyway, it might be worth asking if your local food pantry/soup kitchen would appreciate donations.

]]> By: DaniGirl http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-55095 DaniGirl Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:59:58 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-55095 The deal is done! You know what, they never even flinched. It was me who kept saying, "Are you sure, are you *sure*?" and the boys were all about the Webkinz. Beloved took them out yesterday, and they haven't once asked about the candy. As Ingrid suggested, Beloved's students will be the happy recipients of the excess. We'll definitely consider this again for next year! Consider this experiment a success! The deal is done! You know what, they never even flinched. It was me who kept saying, “Are you sure, are you *sure*?” and the boys were all about the Webkinz. Beloved took them out yesterday, and they haven’t once asked about the candy. As Ingrid suggested, Beloved’s students will be the happy recipients of the excess.

We’ll definitely consider this again for next year! Consider this experiment a success!

]]> By: jules http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-55094 jules Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:31:36 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-55094 great stuff, I can relate.. hope it all worked out great stuff, I can relate.. hope it all worked out

]]> By: ewe_are_here http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-55079 ewe_are_here Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:02:58 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-55079 I can see myself making most of my boys' candy disappearing into the ether... for their own good. Next year I'll 'trade it' for something they want; that's a great idea. Hope it went well! I can see myself making most of my boys’ candy disappearing into the ether… for their own good. Next year I’ll ‘trade it’ for something they want; that’s a great idea.

Hope it went well!

]]> By: Lindsay http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54941 Lindsay Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:54:34 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54941 I can't say I've ever really given any thought to not letting her keep the candy. We don't have chips/cookies/ice cream/chocolate in the house regularly so I guess I figured that a once a year binge probably wouldn't hurt anything. I mean, I don't let her keep the bag of candy in her room so she has to ask for it specifically... and last year she forgot it existed after about two weeks and eventually I tossed it. Trading it in isn't a bad idea if they go for it. But I'm okay with the candy. :-) I can’t say I’ve ever really given any thought to not letting her keep the candy. We don’t have chips/cookies/ice cream/chocolate in the house regularly so I guess I figured that a once a year binge probably wouldn’t hurt anything. I mean, I don’t let her keep the bag of candy in her room so she has to ask for it specifically… and last year she forgot it existed after about two weeks and eventually I tossed it.

Trading it in isn’t a bad idea if they go for it. But I’m okay with the candy. :-)

]]> By: jennifer r. http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54935 jennifer r. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:04:05 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54935 I have a friend who uses the "good witch" principle....Halloween night before the kids got o bed they leave their candy on the front porch. The good witch comes and takes the candy to give to kids who did not get to go out in exchange for a present. We don't do that here, I let them eat their fill Halloween night, they then pick out 12 pieces to put in their room to eat WHENEVER they want, (please don't tell mommy when you are eating it) and the rest gets separated into chocolate categories (frozen and eaten over the ski seaon), chips for special movie nights and other candy given away at the door to the kids who come late! I have a friend who uses the “good witch” principle….Halloween night before the kids got o bed they leave their candy on the front porch. The good witch comes and takes the candy to give to kids who did not get to go out in exchange for a present.

We don’t do that here, I let them eat their fill Halloween night, they then pick out 12 pieces to put in their room to eat WHENEVER they want, (please don’t tell mommy when you are eating it) and the rest gets separated into chocolate categories (frozen and eaten over the ski seaon), chips for special movie nights and other candy given away at the door to the kids who come late!

]]> By: Fawn http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54922 Fawn Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:48:03 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54922 I don't get why anyone thinks this is a crazy idea. You really DON'T need that much candy in the house. But then, Halloween isn't exactly sacred to me. My parents didn't grow up here and didn't believe in it, so the first time I ever went, I was about 9. My daughter just started an extremely strict new diet in which 90% of her calories come from fat and only about 2% comes from carbs (to control her seizures, since drugs have not worked). We went around to all the neighbours' houses and gave them non-food treat bags to give to her. She enjoyed going around in her costume and loved her new toys -- she doesn't really know that she's missing out on candy (she's not quite 3 yet) but she got to have all the fun. I've heard of other parents of kids on the diet who trade their kids' candy for toys and other prizes. If it works for them, why not for you? Let us know how it goes! I don’t get why anyone thinks this is a crazy idea. You really DON’T need that much candy in the house. But then, Halloween isn’t exactly sacred to me. My parents didn’t grow up here and didn’t believe in it, so the first time I ever went, I was about 9.

My daughter just started an extremely strict new diet in which 90% of her calories come from fat and only about 2% comes from carbs (to control her seizures, since drugs have not worked). We went around to all the neighbours’ houses and gave them non-food treat bags to give to her. She enjoyed going around in her costume and loved her new toys — she doesn’t really know that she’s missing out on candy (she’s not quite 3 yet) but she got to have all the fun. I’ve heard of other parents of kids on the diet who trade their kids’ candy for toys and other prizes. If it works for them, why not for you?

Let us know how it goes!

]]> By: Susan http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54885 Susan Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:55:15 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54885 The last 2 years, our dentist traded candy for prizes, which I thought was great. We let CG keep a small bowlful, and then she traded the rest for happy-making crap. This year, I don't know what we'll do--probably let her gorge for a bit and gradually make it disappear. But I can see the appeal of the trade. One of my friends trades for a book. The last 2 years, our dentist traded candy for prizes, which I thought was great. We let CG keep a small bowlful, and then she traded the rest for happy-making crap. This year, I don’t know what we’ll do–probably let her gorge for a bit and gradually make it disappear. But I can see the appeal of the trade. One of my friends trades for a book.

]]> By: Marianne http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54878 Marianne Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:26:17 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54878 I like the webkinz approach. I also support the idea of limiting how many houses are visited (and thus the amount of candy recieved) and doing a sort at home to have the kids select what they really actually like. My mom used to buy candy from us -- 5 lollipops for a nickle, etc (yeah the prices weren't that good even then!) and it cut down on how much junk we ended up with. Mini chocolate bars she saved for treats on cross-country skiing days in the winter, but the rest I beleive she either gave out to the late comers at the door or threw out (after my dad got his share, I'm sure!) I like the webkinz approach. I also support the idea of limiting how many houses are visited (and thus the amount of candy recieved) and doing a sort at home to have the kids select what they really actually like. My mom used to buy candy from us — 5 lollipops for a nickle, etc (yeah the prices weren’t that good even then!) and it cut down on how much junk we ended up with. Mini chocolate bars she saved for treats on cross-country skiing days in the winter, but the rest I beleive she either gave out to the late comers at the door or threw out (after my dad got his share, I’m sure!)

]]> By: Ingrid http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54875 Ingrid Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:13:13 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54875 You should give ti Beloved to take to school. the students will love it and you wont be saddled with it. My college students used to love ME for doing this! You should give ti Beloved to take to school. the students will love it and you wont be saddled with it. My college students used to love ME for doing this!

]]> By: alison http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54873 alison Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:00:52 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54873 Bwahahaha! Hemp underwear. You slay me. *sighs and wipes eyes* What I do is limit the number of houses we hit on our trick-or-treating outing. It's worked so far, they have candy enough for a few days and then I pitch the rest. As for the Webkinz idea, sounds good. And in the immortal words of Spongebob to Plankton (and apparently your mother), I'll chime in with a big, "Well, good luck with that." Bwahahaha! Hemp underwear. You slay me. *sighs and wipes eyes*

What I do is limit the number of houses we hit on our trick-or-treating outing. It’s worked so far, they have candy enough for a few days and then I pitch the rest.

As for the Webkinz idea, sounds good. And in the immortal words of Spongebob to Plankton (and apparently your mother), I’ll chime in with a big, “Well, good luck with that.”

]]> By: Jen http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54871 Jen Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:46:04 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54871 Our church takes leftover Halloween candy and donates it to a charity that works with recovering addicts and prostitutes. I think they make up gift bags for them. Not sure they really need the candy, but I think the idea is just to make them feel like they are cared for. I'm in Vancouver though...maybe you could check to see if there's something similar in Ottawa? It's a nice lesson in sharing for the kids... OK, I did a quick search and found Jewish Family Services of Ottawa (http://www.jfsottawa.com/services/outreach/street.html)...I'm sure there are others! Our church takes leftover Halloween candy and donates it to a charity that works with recovering addicts and prostitutes. I think they make up gift bags for them. Not sure they really need the candy, but I think the idea is just to make them feel like they are cared for. I’m in Vancouver though…maybe you could check to see if there’s something similar in Ottawa? It’s a nice lesson in sharing for the kids…

OK, I did a quick search and found Jewish Family Services of Ottawa (http://www.jfsottawa.com/services/outreach/street.html)…I’m sure there are others!

]]> By: Rev Dr Mom http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54860 Rev Dr Mom Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:26:41 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54860 I have to admit I wouldn't subject my kids to this. They never trick-or-treated so far and wide that they had tons of candy. Mostly they gorged for a day or two and the last bits were forgotten. We didn't keep candy or many sweets around most of the time so I figured Halloween they could have at it. I have to admit I wouldn’t subject my kids to this. They never trick-or-treated so far and wide that they had tons of candy. Mostly they gorged for a day or two and the last bits were forgotten.

We didn’t keep candy or many sweets around most of the time so I figured Halloween they could have at it.

]]> By: Valerie http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54859 Valerie Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:13:17 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54859 I've never let mine keep it all. We sort it, put aside what I'm willing for them to eat, then try to give away the rest to the kids who come later. Then they get a few pieces for less than a week and the rest "disappears" (dh takes it to work). I'm so mean. I guess I could be nice and trade for a toy - dd would certainly go for another Webkinz. One of my friends lets her dd have a piece every night after supper - all year long. They replenish the stack themselves if it gets low. We rarely have dessert in our house, though. I’ve never let mine keep it all. We sort it, put aside what I’m willing for them to eat, then try to give away the rest to the kids who come later. Then they get a few pieces for less than a week and the rest “disappears” (dh takes it to work). I’m so mean. I guess I could be nice and trade for a toy – dd would certainly go for another Webkinz.

One of my friends lets her dd have a piece every night after supper – all year long. They replenish the stack themselves if it gets low. We rarely have dessert in our house, though.

]]> By: Lynn http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54858 Lynn Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:46:28 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54858 I think this is a great idea. I've never heard of anyone trying it before, so I'm definitely interested in hearing how it went! My son can't eat a lot of his Halloween candy due to food allergies, so this year we bought a bunch of candy that is safe for him so he could "trade up" when he got home. I wish I'd had your idea -- trading him for a toy instead would have been so much better. Next year! I think this is a great idea. I’ve never heard of anyone trying it before, so I’m definitely interested in hearing how it went!

My son can’t eat a lot of his Halloween candy due to food allergies, so this year we bought a bunch of candy that is safe for him so he could “trade up” when he got home. I wish I’d had your idea — trading him for a toy instead would have been so much better. Next year!

]]> By: Meghan http://danigirl.ca/blog/2008/10/31/my-deal-with-the-devil-er-with-batman-and-darth-vader/comment-page-1/#comment-54851 Meghan Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:04:42 +0000 http://danigirl.ca/blog/?p=1403#comment-54851 I let my kids gorge for a few days and then the candy slowly starts disappearing.....I usually bring it to the office and plunk in on the lunch table-its gone within a few hours. My daughter mentioned today that one of her friends still has Halloween candy from last year-GROSS! I remember parents who froze it-double gross! One year we saved it and used it to decorate gingerbread houses. What I find interesting is that the kids really do not like a lot of what they get. They keep their favorites and hand over what they don't like. My favorite part is dumping the bags and going through it all-counting everything. I think that is even more fun than a webkin! I let my kids gorge for a few days and then the candy slowly starts disappearing…..I usually bring it to the office and plunk in on the lunch table-its gone within a few hours. My daughter mentioned today that one of her friends still has Halloween candy from last year-GROSS! I remember parents who froze it-double gross! One year we saved it and used it to decorate gingerbread houses. What I find interesting is that the kids really do not like a lot of what they get. They keep their favorites and hand over what they don’t like. My favorite part is dumping the bags and going through it all-counting everything. I think that is even more fun than a webkin!

]]>