If you let the kids get their own, you will get more than a few older ones who will go for as big a double-handful as they can manage. You risk running out when they do that.

I like to do the arm-in-the-candy-cauldron trick. ("Thank you, Thing...") That way, I'm controlling the way the candy gets passed out, but at least it's a bit entertaining for them.

In my opinion, two or three pieces is sufficient, depending on what you are passing out. Say a chocolate and a couple of hard candies or caramels to go with it. They typically are going to visit fifty or more houses in a night, so it's not like anyone will go home feeling deprived. Besides, if you are doing the big Halloween display/haunt, they're going to remember you for that, not for how much candy you gave out.

__________________
Haunt pics: 2005, 2006