The Book Blogger Hop was originally created by Jennifer @ Crazy-For-Books in March 2010 and ended on December 31, 2012. With Jennifer’s permission, Billy @ Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer relaunched the hop on February 15, 2013. Each week the hop will start on a Friday and end the following Thursday. There will be a weekly prompt featuring a book related question. The hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to their own blog.
Question:
Would you consider giving out books to trick-or-treaters instead of candy?
(submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
Answer:
This is a really good question. My initial reaction is “Yes, I would love to do that.”

Then I start thinking about the cost – it would be a bit cost prohibitive unless I got lucky and got some kind of deal. But let’s say, money isn’t a factor…

Then I start thinking about expectations. Those kids are expecting candy, and they are carrying a bag sized to hold candy not books. I know the younger kids don’t really care, they probably would love a book even more than candy. But the older kids – you might as well be that house that gives out toothbrushes, pencils, or some kind of healthy treat. We all know how well that goes over.

And there there are those small details like (1) do they already have the book(s) you are giving out, (2) what kind of books do they like, (3) what kind of triggers do they have – kids have all sorts of triggers that adults can never in a million years anticipate.
So, I’m thinking- in reality- that no, giving out books would not be a feasible choice and it would be extremely frustrating for everyone. But, in my ideal world, I think that would be a great idea. 🎃
Nopes… I can’t afford books for me, forget giving to others. Kids won’t like also. Their excitement is in candies
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I agree. 🍫🍭🍬
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If I had all the money in the world and trick and treating was a thing here, yes I would like to give out books. BUT, I would also give out candy. Because that is what the kids look forward too. Maybe give candy first and then have a basket/box ready with several books that they can pick one from. Books ranging from picture books for the younger ones to some older books for the older ones (no clue how long people can trick or treat for).
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I could see giving candy and books out in a world where money is limitless. As an unspoken rule, by the middle grade years 12 or so, kids start outgrowing trick or treating, but there are some that keep it going as long as they can. And those kids definitely prefer candy 👻
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I can see it being much more successful with younger children and it’s a lovely idea, but I’m not a huge fan the celebration – it isn’t such a fun filled event over here in the UK.
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I never realized how different the countries celebrated Halloween. Very interesting 😊
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As you said, it would be costly – and then the kids would probably egg my house later that night.
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For sure, or give it a nice TP treatment.
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I think that’s an awesome idea, but agree that the cost could be prohibitive. We don’t get any trick or treaters (we live way out in the woods), but if I got a few, I’d do books. I’d offer a selection so the kids could pick out one they liked. 🙂
I’d give pencils to the teens. LOL.
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Lol
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Totally agree with you, for all the same reasons!
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when you start thinking about it, there are so many.
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As much as I love books, I think back to the excitement of Halloween when I was a kid, and what it was all about—dressing up, then going trick-or-treating and coming home with a cache of candy. That was so exciting. I wouldn’t want kids to miss that, so I’d go for giving out candy.
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Halloween without candy is sort of like Christmas without presents. It’s just part of the fun 🙌
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