[ThePirateHouse]

We do a small haunt in our yard and garage each year. The number of Trick or Treaters continues to rise each year along with the cost of candy. Last year we had well over 800. Last year we gave out 5 pcs of candy along with a 6" glow stick. We were lucky to find the glow sticks on clearance last year. Haven't been so lucky this year.
What does everyone else give out? With the staggering numbers it is getting very expensive. We have become a destination. One neighbor gives out hot dogs, one apple cider & coffee, another chili in addition to candy.

Any suggestions how to cut the cost without appearing cheap? Any sources for bulk candy?
Does anyone do anything on beggar's night that is out of the ordinary? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Matt 82]

I'd be setting out a tip jar to be honest. With a sign that says that any donations will go towards future treats.

 

[chachabella]

I have nearly 600 visitors. Literally the kids are driven over by the van loads.

I guess I am cheap because I just give 1 or 2 little sized candies. Or I let the kids pick a toy. I am not here to feed them dinner. Just a piece of candy and a good scare.

 

[Stochey]

My Aunt gets that many. She gives out 1 piece per kid. No complaints. They're going to get plenty of candy in that neighborhood, they're coming to your house for the experience of your decor, not the candy.

 

[Kwll2112]

I agree with the "one candy per person" thinking. If you can afford more, good, but if it's starting to get expensive, I'd say start to cut back. As said above, they're coming to your place for the decor.

We had 654 people come through last year for HW night last year, which was at least 1/3 more than the previous year. We set out 3 large trays on the kitchen island and let them take one from each tray (so 3 total), but not sure if we'll do that this year, as it is getting expensive.

For the past few years, we've been buying the packaged candy from Costco. It was decent candy and reasonably priced. Not sure what we're doing this year yet.

 

[Jenn&MattFromPA]

Wow, I can see how that expense would add up! Oriental Trading catalog sells lots of candy, glow sticks & small toys like stickers, rings, bouncy balls, etc.

As an example, here is a set of 72 Glow in the dark Halloween tattoos for $4.50. That's about seven cents each, although you have to add in shipping costs.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/halloween-glow-in-the-dark-tattoos-a2-25_716.fltr?categoryId=551151

They also have cute bat rings that are $6.00 for 144, which is about four cents each, not including shipping.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/bat-rings-a2-25_1359.fltr?categoryId=551150&rd=halloween rings

Bulk glow bracelets are $15 for 100 - http://www.orientaltrading.com/bulk-glow-bracelet-assortment-a2-24_2355.fltr?categoryId=90000

Sometimes you can get a shipping discount code if you search online.

 

[ThePirateHouse]

Appreciate the response. Does anyone that does a yard haunt do anything special on trick or treat night?

 

[ThePirateHouse]

How were you able to get an exact count? It is usually completely wall to wall people so to speak? I usually pre-bag the candy and have a count that way, but when I run out I am just grabbing.

 

[Madame Leota]

For a few years we were getting 600+ and I had to cut back on candy costs. I gave up on chocolate all together and started giving one fun size skittles and one tootsie pop or blow pop per kid. Cheaper than chocolate bars but the bigger size looks more impressive to kids. I don't think kids care about the quality of the candy so much anyway.

 

[Godcrusher]

For a few years we were getting 600+ and I had to cut back on candy costs. I gave up on chocolate all together and started giving one fun size skittles and one tootsie pop or blow pop per kid. Cheaper than chocolate bars but the bigger size looks more impressive to kids. I don't think kids care about the quality of the candy so much anyway.

I agree. Last year we had about 200 ToTers and we gave out treat bags. We loaded up on dollar tree candy like mixed bags with 45 to 75 pieces for $1 and plastic halloween rings 50 for $1. We place 1 ring and 3 pieces of candy per bag. Keeps the cost low and they like getting multiple goodies.

 

[lilibat]

I'd be over the moon if I got 3 ToTs. I have diufferent stuff to give out each year but since we rarely get any I whatever I feel like eating after Halloween.

 

[SlayKnotV1]

last year we got about 350 TOT'ers. we make candy bags and put about 8 pieces of candy per bag and we also give out Tattoos and Glow Bracelets/Wristbands (1 per kid). a few days after Halloween last year we hit a few walmarts and got the candy bags. tattoos, Glow sticks/bracelets and other stuff 80% off. in about a week or so we'll shop around for candy and start making the bags right after

 

[Illysium]

We only get about 30 every year.

With that many, I'd only hand out a couple pieces of candy and a couple pirate coins. These are actually really well made:

http://www.orientaltrading.com/pirate-coins-a2-42_4011.fltr?keyword=pirate+coins

They have some other cool, cheap stuff too.

 

[UnOrthodOx]

We average 600. I don't know how you logistically handle upwards of 1000. Never mind the budget.

We hand out full size candy at a take one buffet. (glow bracelets to LITTLE kids that are scared, told they are a magic bracelet to scare the monsters, the actors act afraid as well)

Some tricks I've found on the full size and saving money:

Soda. A full size can of soda can be found for real cheap if you watch the sales, keep in mind it keeps well, so that 4th of july sale is just fine.
GIANT Pixie sticks. A lot of kids go right for that 3' stick of sugar because it's the biggest...it's probably the cheapest thing on the table.
"Big Grab" sized potato chips. You'd be surprised how well these move. About half the cost of chocolate.
Finally, the chocolate...I managed to find some fairly reasonable this year. This one's tough to cut costs on.


Glow bracelets, peruse ebay...this is the place I last bought from.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1000-Premiu...255597&hash=item2c5cc1bf93:g:KLQAAOSwNphWXLwF

 

[Ring]

We had 33 last year, and I live in a semi-big city. Weather was wonderful, so I was a bit bummed. Hopefully numbers will be better this year. Not as many trick r' treaters as there used to be..

 

[jdubbya]

We also get fairly large numbers (600+ a year) with last year close to 800 going through our haunt. I agree with the thought that we're not there to feed them or give them a treat to remember us by. Truth be told, doubtful many kids even pay attention to what treat they get at which house. We are also a "destination" house for our town on Halloween and people come by the car load to walk through our haunt. They're lined up 4-5 houses down at peak time. We give out a simple fun sized candy bar to everyone who wants a treat and a lot of kids don't even care about the candy, they just want to go through the haunt. Kit Kats seem to be a decent deal if they go on sale 2 bags for $5. you get about 42 bars. We drop close to $80.00 on candy a year and if we run out, so be it but overall it's simple, stand in line, take a candy (or not) and go through the haunt (or not).

 

[Ring]

I amazed by such high numbers, that sounds like so much fun! (I'm sure a lot work, and preparation also.) Candy can be expensive as well. I'm glad to hear there is still awesome people like you guys making Halloween so special!

 

[SusanSpooky]

Eight pieces of candy and a glow stick is amazing, I would be in awe at that as a kid. I'm sure giving out a bit less candy won't be a problem, or maybe just give out a Halloween toy. If you're looking for something more nontraditional, you could give out bubbles. Kids love bubbles.

 

[BarryJ]

We usually get about 700 to our yard haunt. We limit it to two pieces of candy each. I don't think the kids notice or care too much what we give them... I would rather the spend money on pumpkins and other decorations than candy - I think kids are more likely to remember the yard than the candy.

 

[Matt12378]

I have about 600 to 700 trick or treaters each year I just get 10 large bags of Halloween candy and it usually covers it. lol