A sweet dilemma

By Nancy Churnin - The Dallas Morning News

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If there's one thing worse than running out of candy on Halloween, it's having too much when it's over.

It's bad for your kids' health, their teeth and the teachers who have to calm down candy-crazed kids the next day and, possibly, a week afterward, depending on how much is in their stash.

That's the word from Phillip Done, author of "Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind: Thoughts on Teacherhood" (Center Street, $22.99) released in September. A 25-year teaching veteran, he says he is thankful for parents who don't send their kids to school with a backpack full of sugary loot. His favorite solution? The Candy Fairy -- which he heard about from his room moms a couple of years ago.

Operation Gratitude accepts candy for American troops, who use it both for themselves and to give out to the children in communities they patrol, writes Carolyn Blashek with Operation Gratitude. All types of candy are acceptable, including chocolate this time of year. Ship candy by Dec. 5 to Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard, 17330 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406, Attn: Charlie Othold. Details are at www.OperationGratitude.com.

To find dentists who may be participating in a Halloween Candy Buy-Back program, visit www.thesmileexperts.com/halloween.

"The Candy Fairy is similar to the Tooth Fairy," he explains. "Instead of taking teeth, she takes Halloween candy and gives it to all the children who cannot go out trick-or-treating. Children leave out most of their candy and write a letter. The Candy Fairy visits at night and leaves a gift."

The kids don't mind giving up their loot as long as they still get to have some, he notes.

"And the kids love getting a gift and writing a letter. I think in a couple of years, you'll be hearing a lot about this Candy Fairy!"

His other favorite suggestions: bake with it ("then bring them in for the teacher"), create with it ("candy wreaths, pinatas, candy garlands for the Christmas tree") and buy it back ("parents can buy back candy and then match funds to give the money to charities; I recommend a dollar a pound").

We asked some Dallas-area moms what they're planning to do with their excess, and they had some similar themes. Here are their tips:

Bring it to the office. Let the adults who want to eat it (and don't go out for Halloween!) enjoy it. Better yet, take your child to a Halloween event at a church or another facility. That way, they won't get as much candy.

Kids at homeless shelters would probably love a few treats.

Keep most of the Halloween candy in your home's "treat box," as a great incentive.

Take some to the kids' teachers, and they use it as rewards in the classroom.

Donate leftover Halloween candy to your local fire department. You might even get a private tour for your kids.

Make cars and trucks out of candy with the help of a hot-glue gun by using chocolate bars as car, peppermints as wheels, etc. You can even spray paint them to make them look less appetizing.

For anyone crafty out there, make candy wrapper accessories including clutches, belts, coin purses, bracelets and more. In fact, they are actually very "in" right now. Or if you are already stressing about gifts or holiday decor, there are many ways to turn candy wrappers into placemats, tree garland and napkin rings. If you are not at all crafty, support these crafters by purchasing this green trend.

Make individual candy-bar pies by dumping unwrapped chocolate candies into mini-pie crusts and baking at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until gooey delicious! Kids enjoy making them and since they're mini-pies, it's not a huge portion.

Some churches donate excess candy inside Thanksgiving meal baskets that are given to families in need.

Use some hard candy to make a gingerbread house for Christmas. Skittles make great rooftops.