Of course it doesn’t help that they’re all owned by like three giant candy corporations.
Last year I went to my local chocolatier, but they didn’t have anything suitable for giving out for Halloween, like nothing individually wrapped. I’d love to support and advertise a local business, but alas.
That’s the other loss over the years. You can’t hand out your own home-packaged or custom packaged candy.
Years ago, I used to see several people in the neighbourhood who handed out little packettes of their own candies. I was starting to think of doing the same thing but never had the chance. You buy candy in bulk, then just package it all into small portions to hand out. Some people would also throw in an apple, orange, muffins, little cakes, or their own home made candies or cookies. All that is banned now and parents won’t accept them when they bring their kids to the door. All candies have to be commercial grade store bought ‘Halloween’ candies. Anything else is treated like poison … parents freak out that strangers might put razor blades in custom packaged candy … but no one ever thinks that a factory can leave metal parts inside a tiny candy.
And they wonder why no one trusts each other any more.
BTW, what authority placed the ban? That’s incredibly authoritarian and pearl-clutchy. For everything wrong with my area we at least don’t do silly things like banning homemade treats (but only in the specific context of trick-or-treat on October 31st?)
I don’t think that there’s any authority that “banned” it, but the whole “stranger danger” panic of the '80s has made sure that nobody will ever eat your homemade treats, and it might attract unwanted law enforcement attention if any kids do eat them and become sick (even if the sickness is unrelated). Too many tales of poison, razor blades, etc inserted into candy.
I do remember getting home with my Halloween haul, and my parents going through it, throwing out anything homemade and anything with a damaged wrapper.
Growing up in the 90s, I remember getting homemade treats. But then we also knew everyone on the street.
I also remember the “check the candy for drugs!” thing, as if anyone was giving away free ecstasy in Halloween candy. I think the only corroborated “razors in candy” story was the parent doing it to their own kids.
Not officially banned … just a whole bunch of stuff from the 80s and 90s where everyone freaked out and thought strangers were putting razor blades, hyperdermic needles and metal scraps in food to poison kids … none of it was true (it might have happened in a few instances but not widely)
Since then, its recommended everywhere not to accept homemade treats unless you trust the people you get them from.
I used to get those when I was a kid in the 80s. There was always two or three people that would make them and give them out … definitely a Halloween treat that is lost to people today.
cheap too. apples and sugar are cheap. being fancy and adding the nuts probably doubles the price but its well worth it. ooh and then chocalate dip mmmmmm
You are right … it isn’t banned … it’s just not recommended.
Parents walking Halloween with their kids will refuse receiving anything that is custom packaged or homemade … most if not all parents will only accept store bought official ‘halloween’ candies and chocolates.
Of course it doesn’t help that they’re all owned by like three giant candy corporations.
Last year I went to my local chocolatier, but they didn’t have anything suitable for giving out for Halloween, like nothing individually wrapped. I’d love to support and advertise a local business, but alas.
That’s the other loss over the years. You can’t hand out your own home-packaged or custom packaged candy.
Years ago, I used to see several people in the neighbourhood who handed out little packettes of their own candies. I was starting to think of doing the same thing but never had the chance. You buy candy in bulk, then just package it all into small portions to hand out. Some people would also throw in an apple, orange, muffins, little cakes, or their own home made candies or cookies. All that is banned now and parents won’t accept them when they bring their kids to the door. All candies have to be commercial grade store bought ‘Halloween’ candies. Anything else is treated like poison … parents freak out that strangers might put razor blades in custom packaged candy … but no one ever thinks that a factory can leave metal parts inside a tiny candy.
And they wonder why no one trusts each other any more.
BTW, what authority placed the ban? That’s incredibly authoritarian and pearl-clutchy. For everything wrong with my area we at least don’t do silly things like banning homemade treats (but only in the specific context of trick-or-treat on October 31st?)
I don’t think that there’s any authority that “banned” it, but the whole “stranger danger” panic of the '80s has made sure that nobody will ever eat your homemade treats, and it might attract unwanted law enforcement attention if any kids do eat them and become sick (even if the sickness is unrelated). Too many tales of poison, razor blades, etc inserted into candy.
I do remember getting home with my Halloween haul, and my parents going through it, throwing out anything homemade and anything with a damaged wrapper.
Growing up in the 90s, I remember getting homemade treats. But then we also knew everyone on the street.
I also remember the “check the candy for drugs!” thing, as if anyone was giving away free ecstasy in Halloween candy. I think the only corroborated “razors in candy” story was the parent doing it to their own kids.
Not officially banned … just a whole bunch of stuff from the 80s and 90s where everyone freaked out and thought strangers were putting razor blades, hyperdermic needles and metal scraps in food to poison kids … none of it was true (it might have happened in a few instances but not widely)
Since then, its recommended everywhere not to accept homemade treats unless you trust the people you get them from.
you dont even accept homemade food from a co-workers, to unsafe and unsanitary.
people dont want potentially drugs, poison, sharp objects laced with it thats why.
omg freshly made carmel apples.
I used to get those when I was a kid in the 80s. There was always two or three people that would make them and give them out … definitely a Halloween treat that is lost to people today.
Haven’t seen or tried them in years.
cheap too. apples and sugar are cheap. being fancy and adding the nuts probably doubles the price but its well worth it. ooh and then chocalate dip mmmmmm
What do you mean “ban”? Where is there some authority over Halloween? Do they cite you if you offer unapproved treats or wear unauthorized costumes?
You are right … it isn’t banned … it’s just not recommended.
Parents walking Halloween with their kids will refuse receiving anything that is custom packaged or homemade … most if not all parents will only accept store bought official ‘halloween’ candies and chocolates.
It is not banned in the formal sense, according to their comment to me above
Oh my local chocolatier doesn’t do that kind of candy. I go for their nice thick cup of sipping cocoa