So, Halloween is over. The costumes are off and the flame of the jack-o-lantern is out. But, what about the candy? If you are at all in the situation that I am today, you have way too much candy on your hands. This may be due to a lack of trick-or-treaters or the fact that your children were absolutely determined to get more candy than the neighbor boy and girl. Either way, you and I are in candy overload.
So, what to do?
Worry not, I have some recommendations. Believe it or not we have two big holidays that will be here before we know it. You got it: Thanksgiving and Christmas. One of my very favorite things to do as a child was to design my very own gingerbread house. Gingerbread houses are a great way to let your children or students use their creativity.
Let your children get as creative as they like. I’m sure they will have many great ideas. But, in case they get stuck, here are a few suggestions:
Plain M &M’s- you could use them on the rooftop after you spread a layer of icing over it to make them stick. You could also use them on a side walk as stones or as a doorknob.
Kit Kat’s- you could make your house look like a log cabin with these or use them for trees or light posts.
Whoppers- these would be great as shrubs, lights or rooftop decorations.
Hershey’s Chocolate bars- great as siding, bricks or a sidewalk.
Twizzlers- works as siding, fences, rooftops, windows or doors.
Again, let them get creative and have fun with this!
Another way to use the candy? Put the chocolate in a large plastic bag and freeze it so it keeps its freshness and use it to make some yummy treats for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas gatherings, or another holiday party. I found some great recipes for treats such as brownie pizza and Butterfinger cake at this website http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/376/. You will be the talk of the party with these tasty desserts!
If neither of these options sound like fun to you, I have one more. Take your candy to a local food bank or retirement home. Both places will welcome the treats and you will likely make someone’s day with your unwanted leftover candy!
Have fun and enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend!