Homeowners Across New England Swap Halloween Candy for Prunes, Tuna, and Plumbing Parts

Halloween traditions in New England often diverge from the standard expectation of candy, as evidenced by the unusual items handed to children at doorsteps across the region. Residents from Massachusetts to New Hampshire have shared accounts of receiving everything from canned goods to household hardware during the holiday.

The variety of non-standard treats extends to produce and pantry staples. In Newton Corner, Melissa received Brussels sprouts, while a resident of Sudbury collected a russet potato. In Lowell, Christine and her siblings were given turnips, and Carolyn in Needham brought home a Tupperware container of green tomatoes. A family in Medford was offered a choice between a potato and candy by a neighbor in Gloucester, a pattern that has become a recurring theme in these anecdotes.

Canned and packaged goods also make frequent appearances in these hauls. A parent in Newton reported that an unprepared older man dug through a cabinet to provide her son with a can of tuna and a cello-wrapped package of generic cookies. In Medford, Sharon’s daughter sacrificed her own candy to secure a jar of stuffed manzanilla olives for her sister. Other residents reported receiving individually wrapped biscotti in Pawtucket, R.I., soy sauce packets in Arlington, and a can of Coke in Needham.

Some households have established specific routines that replace traditional sweets. Ronda in Newton described a tradition that began during the pandemic, where children choose between candy and ramen noodles. She noted that the excitement generated by the noodles often rivals that of the confection. In Lexington, a neighbor with strong opinions on candy offered choices of natural toothpaste, soft apples, or boxes of raisins to trick-or-treaters.

Monetary gifts and small cash payments appear in various forms. In Quincy, Taylor recalled a woman who tossed handfuls of pennies into children’s bags. Lucy in Newton received a roll of quarters, while Elif in Lexington was given dollar bills sealed in a red envelope. In Acton, a homeowner offered a choice of candy or vegetables, adding a dime or quarter to the vegetable option. One child in Acton returned home with a red pepper and 25 cents.

Personal items and memorabilia have also been distributed. Karin in Arlington, originally from New Jersey, grew up in a town adjacent to former President Richard Nixon. She recalled that Nixon distributed autographed photos of himself to children, a practice she described as kind and logical given the frequency of requests. In Medford, Rebecca received metal tongue scrapers, which she guessed came from a dentist’s home. Cate in Marion recalled receiving small black combs from a specific house during her childhood.

Small, specific items such as metal fittings and food packets round out the list of unusual finds. Sara in Cambridge received small copper plumbing joints from a neighbor one year and stained wooden fish cut with a jigsaw the next. In Medford, Ellery received a mayonnaise packet, while Tracy in Somerville collected a handful of peas. A family in Medford was served from a fruit bowl by a homeowner who had not expected visitors, resulting in bananas being the chosen item.

The practice of giving non-candy items spans multiple decades and locations. In Gilmanton, N.H., Meaghan recalled a man who distributed juice boxes to children and Bud Light to parents, a combination that prompted her parents to revisit the house. In Medford, a parent received a single adult-size ankle sock filled with hard, striped candy mints. In Arlington, a child received a Girl Scout Thin Mint flavored tea bag and ate some of the leaves before the family realized what it was.

These accounts illustrate the wide range of items that have served as Halloween treats in the Boston area. The list includes walnuts from Peabody, Bibles from Beverly, and a Wendy’s coupon from West Newton. Each item reflects the personal habits and resources of the homeowners who distributed them.