Most of us love preparing for Halloween – picking out costumes, making plans for the night, and even buying the candy we’re going to distribute to our neighborhood trick or treaters. It’s what happens afterwards that overwhelms most of us.

We arrive home and the reality of bags overflowing with candy bars strikes us. What were we thinking? How long did meander through the neighborhood? How could we not realize we had collected so much candy?

We can’t possibly let our children eat all of it. They could have one piece a day for the next three years. So, here are some alternative suggestions to eating all that candy:

Bake it Nearly every candy bar is an ingredient in some spectacular dessert recipe. Seek one out. Make it. Invite your friends over – maybe an adults only gathering – and enjoy an after-Halloween special treat.

Use it Someone you know must have a birthday coming up in the next few weeks. Halloween candy bars make the perfect stuffing for a piñata. In fact, who needs a birthday to enjoy a piñata party? Though, if you are anything like me, piñatas raise your anxiety level. Make sure everyone stands far back when someone is taking a whack.

Bring it Allow your children to pick out their favorites and then take your favorites into the office. Put it in the teacher’s lounge at your child’s school, or bring it down the street to the fire department. Maybe even leave a treat for your mail carrier.

Send it Our soldiers working overseas appreciate care packages from home. Include some chocolate treats, a colorful picture from your child, and other necessities to give a soldier a piece of home.

The Halloween Fairy Have you heard of her? (Or, according to my daughter – him?) Children who leave the bulk of their Halloween candy on their doorstep for the Halloween fairy receive a small gift in exchange. Your children select ten or so pieces of candy and leave the rest for the Halloween fairy. What the fairy does with it after that is anyone’s guess.

Give it Find a local charity that will accept your candy donations. Places like a Ronald McDonald House, nursing homes, food banks, or family shelters are good places to start. Your candy will be appreciated and giving it is a better option than throwing it in the trash.

Of course, the last option is to eat as much as you can when your children have gone to bed for the night. Whatever you choose to do with your Halloween stash, make sure to enjoy yourselves.