You just know plenty of your neighbors will be passing out the predictable Snickers and Milky Way bars, so it leaves the window wide open for you to offer something refreshingly different this Halloween.

Each year I look for desirable snack packs (that aren't too high in calories, fat or sugar) that the kids can put in their school lunch bags or boxes for something a little different. This year I found snack-size bags of pretzels, popcorn, and flavored mini rice cakes.

And if you have a lot of preteens and teens that trick or treat in your neighborhood, I can guarantee that packages of gum will go over really well with this discerning group. You can find 10-packs of sugar-less gum at places like Target for about $2.50, which computes to about 25 cents a pop. And speaking of 25 cents a pop... handing out quarters also seems to go over well with kids old enough to save up for their own toys and treats. If you want to have some mini toys for the littler ones, you can find all kinds of fun things at your nearest party store (like bouncy balls, miniature games, or glow stick necklaces).

Related Topics:

• 10 Tricks to Avoid Halloween Candy Temptations
• Ghoulishly Healthy Halloween Snacks

Labels: children, Halloween, snacks