…other than eat way too much like I’ve been guilty of doing.
The below picture is our leftover candy. There’s a lot more than the picture makes it look like. Pretty soon there will just be Skittles left because I’m not the biggest fan. If you tend to splurge on leftover Halloween candy a bit too often like I do, check out some unlikely ways to get rid of it.
- Donate to the troops through Operation Gratitude.
I had never heard of this before but found it to be a very sweet (ha, get it?) idea. Apparently some dentist offices host collection drives and/or will buy it from you. Anyone can send care packages though. The deadline is December 1st for the holiday collection drive, if you’re interested! For more details check out the 2012 Halloween Buy Back page.
- Save for gingerbread houses.
Making gingerbread houses is one of my all-time favorite holiday activities. It’s messy, involves candy, and is crafty—3 of the best things in life. We used to make gingerbread houses, but I haven’t in a couple years. ‘Tis sad. Hopefully I’ll get to this year, though. THAT SAID, the over-abundance of candy would be a wonderful starting point for a gingerbread man’s home décor and landscaping. P.S. Use Pixie Sticks in your next gingerbread house adventure. It’s awesome.
- Bake some sweets.
This beautiful cake is a Kit Kat Cake. I love decorating desserts, especially if it involves candy. Whether you want to eat the whole decked-out cake or want to get rid it, there are options. Google pretty much any candy and put the word “cookies” after it, and you’ll find a recipe—I can almost guarantee it. Plus, with the holidays coming up, you could impress the family by baking some colorful desserts. You might want to freeze the candy though to ensure freshness.
- Freeze it.
Frozen snickers are pretty tasty (and take longer to eat so you can’t eat as many as fast…just sayin’). Plus, the candy lasts longer. Whether you like frozen candy or you want to save it for later, freezing it is always a good option.
- Piñata, anyone?
I’ve never had one or even participated in the destruction of one, and they intrigue me. Someday I am going to make a piñata, and it is going to be awesome. I found a tutorial on how to make your own if you’re feeling crafty: DIY Birthday Piñata.
- Take it to work.
Free food always pleases coworkers and tends to disappear. It’s kind of like you’re doing something nice, but really you just want to pawn it off on others. Unless you actually do want to be nice and share the goods with people. If that’s the case, then more power to you.
- Get rid of the kinds you don’t like.
We all have our favorite candies, and then there are the others that we feel slightly meh about. In order to not mindlessly snack on the meh, get rid of it! If we’re indulging, it should be on something worth the sugar.
- Flavor vodka!
Seeing as how I’m going to have lots of Skittles for quite awhile, perhaps I will make some more Skittle-Infused Vodka. Apparently Jolly Ranchers work well too! That sounds even better than Skittles to me. The recipe and instructions can be found here.
- Hide it.
No, seriously. Whenever I find myself eating way too many cookies or pieces of candy, I put them somewhere I won’t see most of the time. Out of sight out of mind, people. It really helps calm the sweet tooth. I threw Halloween candy in the coat closet, hoping that would help me. Walking past it on the table 500 times a day has just been reminding me that it’s there and delicious.
I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! And if you don’t have problems with OD-ing on candy or actually have self control (unlike yours truly), then I hope you enjoy your leftover candy!
BY THE WAY I mentioned it on Facebook, but in case didn’t notice or haven’t “liked” Gettin’ My Healthy On yet, I mentioned that I met another goal! I ran 121.25 miles last month, reaching my goal to run 100 miles in a month. Woo! Looks like I need to set some more mileage goals or sign up for a race. 
What do you usually do with the leftover candy (if you have any)?
Enter a state of denial over its existence and then end up eating it.
What’s your least favorite candy?
3 Musketeers and Smarties all the way. 3 Musketeers just tastes like boring fluff to me, while Smarties are a powdery blah substance. I need more exciting ingredients like caramel and more flavor.
These are all wonderful choices, but…I like candy, so I don’t think its going to last long enough for me to try any of these…. *shifty eyes*
Haha I know what you mean. All I’ve done so far is eat an excessive amount.
I was wonderfully happy when we couldn’t give it all away, as the last few trailer loads went another way…. My fiance and I looked at each other and smiled and said, “More for us then!”