Halloween is known for its spooky thrills, creative costumes, and of course, the candy haul at the end of the night. But for some trick-or-treaters, the night holds more than just sugary surprises. Every year, there are some houses that hand out unexpected or downright bizarre items. From strange trinkets to unusual treats, these offerings can leave trick-or-treaters more confused than thrilled. The unexpected has added a little extra mystery to the holiday.
The old running joke of receiving a toothbrush on Halloween to combat the cavities that come from candy might seem funny, but freshman Isaac Swers found himself on the wrong end of the gag.
“It made me feel pretty sad because I wanted candy and not to [worry] about cleaning my teeth that night,” Swers said.
While some houses give out healthcare items like toothbrushes and dental floss, others give out healthy snacks. Every now and then, houses get creative with the healthy items they hand out.
“I got an avocado one time…I didn’t know what to say ‘cause I figured no one would ever give an avocado on Halloween,” junior Andrew Larson said.
Every now and then, trick-or-treaters are given things that could be potentially harmful. Of course, kids shouldn’t eat candy that’s been opened or homemade baked goods, but children and parents alike should always be wary of illegal substances that could be handed out on Halloween.
“Someone gave me and my sister a teddy bear, and it had [what I thought was] drugs,” freshman Christina Alexiou said. “The head fell off, but it had sprinkled this white powder all over the ground.”
Parents might tell stories about razors being hidden in apples when they were growing up, but kids often scoff at the idea that people would actually tamper with Halloween items.
“I thought it was snow, so I tried to pick it up,” Alexiou said. “My dad kicked it out of the way.”
However, not all strange Halloween handouts are edible items. The last thing kids want to think about while trick-or-treating is school. One of the more common items that kids dread receiving is directly tied to school.
“[I got] a number two pencil, and I was confused,” senior Emma Shroff said.
Most kids have encountered houses that give pencils and the general consensus is to stay away from them.
Sometimes these unlikely commodities become sentimental for trick-or-treaters and can even provide some unique nuance that makes the night even more memorable.
“[I got] two Hot Wheels cars, but it was pretty cool,” freshman Dihaih Pathiranage said.
While children might love to receive candy and chocolates to devour, items that last longer than a few days or weeks can provide meaningful memories. These toys might spark new passions or bring friends together. If anything, these items represent what many people believe Halloween embodies: childhood.
