Some Are Suggesting Potatoes Over Candy For Halloween

Halloween candy takes center stage on October 31. As we're all aware, Halloween extends beyond just one evening. It's a whole season. The season includes activities such as classroom celebrations, neighborhood parades, friendly gatherings, trunk-or-treat events, and other occasions where people can showcase their Halloween costumes.

With so many Halloween activities, there’s been a growing interest in alternative Halloween treats. These alternatives often feature tiny toys, healthier choices, and, more surprisingly, unconventional options like potatoes.

According to Potatoes USA, there's a growing trend among Halloween enthusiasts throughout the United States who are introducing a novel tradition of handing out potatoes to children during Halloween. Additionally, it has been noted that some people are incorporating potatoes into the Halloween season by using them for various crafts and games.

"It honestly started as a joke," explained Pat Foy, a self-employed contractor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in a news release. "I thought, if I'm going to give something out to kids on Halloween, I don't want to just give them something that makes them go nuts. I'm of Irish descent, so potatoes made sense.” Additionally, he said that he had given away big baking potatoes before they became something that took off.

The potato company mentioned that some families are even using potatoes for Halloween crafts. "Stingy Jack" is a twist on Jack-o’-Lanterns. "Potatoes are easy to carve and affordable – so it's easy to have a few extra on hand in case you need a redo," they stated. “Like pumpkins, the potato's long shelf-life makes it ideal for displaying your family's carved creations."

Not everyone is convinced that offering potatoes as a Halloween treat is a universally good idea for trick-or-treaters. A Reddit thread was initiated to discuss this unconventional Halloween practice. One person mentioned that if someone offered them a potato, there would be an 83% likelihood of that potato ending up hurled through a window. Another person reflected on how their reaction as a child would have been one of disappointment if they received a potato, but as an adult, they would now appreciate it and even consider baking it.

Currently, Potatoes USA is encouraging customers to participate in #JackOTater or #Trick-or-Tater by tagging @PotatoGoodness on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to win prizes.

Halloween is the time of year when spookiness takes center stage, and creative costumes rule the streets. It’s also the day of the beloved tradition, trick-or-treating. Whether you're a kid dreaming of a candy jackpot or an adult admiring the neighborhood's costume creativity while handing out treats, it's a highlight of the year.

However, you'll always find that one neighbor who likes to shake things up by handing out something other than candy. It's not always a bad thing, though. Some people do it for a good reason, like considering kids with dietary restrictions. But if you're considering going outside the box, you should avoid certain trick-or-treat handouts.

Let's talk about the Halloween horrors, the stuff no one wants in their trick-or-treat bag. First on the list are those infamous toothbrushes or dental floss packs. Halloween is the one night a year when kids can indulge in a sugar frenzy, and suddenly, you're handed a dental hygiene product. It's like being told to eat your veggies at a birthday party. Then there are the homemade treats. While some homemade goodies can be delicious, receiving unlabeled, homemade treats can make even the bravest trick-or-treater think twice; also, most parent's won't feel comfortable with that and may dispose of them. All of your hard work will go to waste! Safety is paramount on Halloween, and unwrapped or unlabeled edibles can raise concerns.

Another item to avoid is pennies. They're not even worth the trip to the store, and they make you question if you've accidentally stumbled into a time machine back to the 1950s. If you’re going to give out money on Halloween, make it worthwhile if you can swing it. While Halloween is all about surprises, pennies are definitely not the kind of surprises anyone hopes for.

Take a look at some of the worst trick-or-treat handouts for Halloween.

Keychains are handy, but they're not exactly the kind of treasure kids hope to find in their candy haul. They want stuff that's sweet, not stuff for keys they don't have. Save yourself some money and pass on key chains.

We all know cleanliness is important, but getting soap, shampoo, or hand sanitizer in your treat bag on Halloween is not what kids look forward to. It's a treat, not a trip to the pharmacy. It's like getting socks for Christmas. While practical, it's not exactly exciting.

Coins may have been an acceptable treat decades ago, but nowadays, they're seen as disappointing. Kids prefer candy. Or maybe small toys (if they're exciting/cool enough). Unless, you're giving away the big bucks, steer clear of this one.

Healthy snacks are great, but Halloween is all about the sugar rush. Kids aren't exactly thrilled to find a mix of fruit and nuts in their bag. They're hoping for chocolates and gummies, not something they associate with after-school snacks.

Adults may appreciate coupons for discounts at local businesses, but they don't make for a fun Halloween treat for kids. Saving money is cool, but Halloween is all about instant gratification. And coupons for discounts don't really make the cut.

Halloween is not the time to distribute religious or informational materials. Kids are looking for fun and treats, not pamphlets. Consider giving those away another day that's not Halloween.

Halloween is all about the candy, right? So, if you toss a toothbrush or dental floss into a kid's stash of treats, you're basically inviting disappointment. Plus, it's safe to assume that the trick-or-treater already has a toothbrush. Do they truly need another one?

Throwing unwrapped candy into a plastic pumpkin? That's just asking for a sticky mess. Plus, it's not the cleanest option. And given the concerns these days, it's just another worry for parents who fear someone might mess with their child's candy.

Those fancy homemade snacks that look like they came straight from Pinterest can be cute, but if you don't really know the kids or their parents, they might wonder about your intentions. Sticking to pre-packaged treats is your best bet on Halloween, especially if you're trying to keep trick-or-treating simple and sanitary.