Thread: Candyless Haunts?

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This is mostly prop-related, so bear with me...

I, like most of you, spend a ton of money on props every year. We deck the garage out in a walk-through haunt that takes months to prepare for and usually two days to assemble. I don't mind--I think it's worth the investment to entertain the neighborhood, learn about prop-making, and celebrate the dark holiday

My wife has been pressuring me for years to host the haunt but not give out candy, mostly as a money-saving thing: we get hundreds of ToTs up here, and burn through at least 22-24 bags of candy (one per kid) in a night. That adds up.

I've refused so far, because it just seems cheesey...there are a lot of little kids who come by who don't want to do the haunt at all, but I'd say the majority are between 7 and 14.

Anyone stop treating and just do a haunt?

Yeah but whatcha gonna do when a little kid comes up to you, holds open his bag and says trick or treat? Say trick? LOL!

This reminds me of a saying " I didn't ask to be born, now give me what I want. " They didn't ask for the your haunt they came for candy, why else would they bring a bag ,to pickup trash at your & eveyones house ( it would be nice ) but no. You enjoy putting the haunt on, in a way it's for you & something extra for them. I now moneys tight, so maybe revamp some things & use the money you would of used for candy, tootsie rolls. I thnik this is the most I've ever writen. I must love candy.

Ask if any of the neighbors would like to contribute to your haunt by providing candy, donations per say. I am sure the community likes your haunt, so it never hurts to ask for a little help. Perhaps you could send out flyers asking for 'donation bags of candy' because the haunt fills up every year fast.

I wouldn't.
After all halloween is about the candy for the kids.

See, those are the exact arguments that have kept me from doing a haunt-only thing...it just feels...grinchy...I've seen some larger places do it (ones with lines and DMX setups and run for 3-5 days before H'ween and volunteer employees), but I think you have to be at that level to justify it.

I'd scale back the haunt or stop it completely before discontinuing handing out candy.

Candy is an intrinsic part of Halloween for the kids.

We do the displays for ourselves and it's just a bonus if the kids get a kick out of it... but the candy is for them.

I've arranged with my local Grocery store to donate candy. Last year I got 1500 pieces, in exchange I put up a sign that said who candy was donated by. It's become a community event.

It also helps that we collect donations for SickKids Hospital, so it kind of ties together.

The event is free (donate if you wish, for a very good cause) Visitors get entertained and candy to boot.

Even without the candy donation, I'd have to give out something. It just wouldn't be Halloween.

A candyless haunt sounds good, but I'd rather have an eggless haunt.

If you give out candy, don't you also get an eggless haunt (TP-less as well?)