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? But we'll give it the ol' college try!
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.
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. Kids will love to make a little extra money or earn a new toy while you'll just be glad to have that candy out of the house! Below is the list of places that participate in the candy buy-back program:
Brea Dentistry
235 S. Flower Ave.
Brea, CA, 92821
Phone: 714-990-3544
Email: admin@breadentistry.com
Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics
3930 S. Bristol St, suite 201
Santa Ana, CA, 92704
Phone: 714-546-9999
Email: Trinamelancon@cox.net
Butler Pediatric Dentistry
801 E. Chapman Ave #226
Fullerton, CA, 92831
Phone: 714-680-9500
Email: info@butlerpediatricdentistry.com
Foothill Family Dental Group
210 S.Grand Ave. Suite#420
Glendora, CA, 91741
Phone: 626-963 3322
Email: reema.arnouk@gmail.com
Little Smiles of Orange County
4840 Irvine Blvd #106
Irvine, CA, 92620
Phone: 949-885-9300
Email: drharvey@littlesmilesoc.com
J. Foster Weems DDS Inc.
1617 Westcliff Dr. Suite 201
Newport Beach, CA, 92660
Phone: 949-642-7998
Email: smile@jfosterweemsdds.com
Ford Dental Group
16511 Goldenwest St
Huntington Beach, CA, 92647
Phone: 714-842-7431
Email: drjonathan@forddentalgroup.com
Hart health center - SAMOHA DDS INC -
21006 Hart st.
Canoga Park, CA, 91303
Phone: 818-340-4042
Email: samohadds@gmail.com
HD Orthodontics
4714 E Los Coyotes Diagonal
Long Beach, CA, 90815
Phone: 562-283-6590
Email: heather.c.desh@gmail.com
FUNtastic Dental and Orthodontics
2700 N. Bellflower Blvd. Suite 217
Long Beach, CA, 90815
Phone: (562) 627-8800
Email: marketing@funtasticdental.com
Southern California Dental Health Associates
5901 W. Olympic Blvd Suite 205
Los Angeles, CA, 90036
Phone: 323-934-3341
Email: painless1@sbcglobal.net
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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!
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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!
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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!
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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!
