(Updated 2023)
… And my friends, this is NOT a post about whether participating in Halloween is right or wrong.
I first posted about this idea in 2011, but there are so many more “punny” candy sayings out there that I wanted to update it.
Personally, our family does not “celebrate” Halloween, HOWEVER, if we are going to be home on Halloween night, we USE it as an opportunity to share the Light and Love of Jesus to the children in our neighborhood.
Over the years, I’ve collected ideas and sayings that Christian families have used to Light up Halloween night as a Witnessing Opportunity for the glory of God.
Anytime we can take something of “the world” and shine the Light of Jesus upon it – that’s a good thing!
Below are some Light-shining Halloween Candy ideas for your family.
Truth and Scripture attached to candy – Candy Message ideas
Choose one or more sayings below and attach them to each individual piece of candy. That’s the easiest part.
Now, this is the important part: When the doorbell rings and a young one says, “Trick or Treat,”… take that moment to add in a little {gooby sounding, but true} phrase like, “Hope you enjoy the candy… but we want you to know that Jesus is the real TREAT of our lives.”
They’ll probably just look at you and think you are weird. But when they get home and see that you’ve also attached a truth and Scripture verse to your candy, they will remember which home gave it. Only God knows what might happen next. Maybe they’ll remember your house as the one with the Message, and one day come back to your door desperate for answers that only Jesus can give. Whether or not this happens, you are still being LIGHT on a dark night!
In my experience, most of the little children will pull the candy out of their bags as they walk away and either read it aloud or give it to their parents to read. The only ones who have turned up their noses at the notes are the ones too old to be trick-or-treating in the first place. 😉
Christian-inspired candy sayings to use for Halloween:
- Dum Dums
If someone makes you feel like a Dum Dum, just remember this: Jesus loves YOU! To Jesus, you are NO Dum Dum! (Read John 3:16 in the Bible.) - Reeses Pieces
When life seems to fall to “Pieces,” turn to Jesus. He loves you and will help you. (Read Hebrews 13:6 in the Bible.) - Smarties
“Smarties” know that Jesus loves them and has a plan for their lives! Be a Smartie! (Read Jeremiah 29:11 in the Bible.) - Whoppers
If you have a “Whopper” of a decision to make, be sure to pray about it. (Read Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Bible.)
OR
If you’ve made a “Whopper” of a mistake in life, God will forgive you. Just ask Him. (Read Psalm 51:3 in the Bible.) - Crunch Bar
Whenever you are in a “Crunch,” call out to Jesus. He will help you. (Read Jeremiah 33:3 in the Bible.) - Life Savers
Jesus is the True “Life Saver.” (Read John 10:10 in the Bible.) - M & M’s
God’s plan for your life is that you grow up to be “Mighty” & “Marvelous.” He will help you. (Read Isaiah 55:8-9 in the Bible.) - Almond Joy
Jesus will put real “Joy” into your life. (Read Psalm 51:12 in the Bible.)
Other Options to Give Away
1. Hand out Gospel tracts OR personal notes along with your candy.
- This is a super website with links to lots of resources. You could use some of the ideas and create your own.
- Here is a wonderful idea our children brought home one year:
The above note was attached to a bag full of “good” candy – you know… the kind that parents like to steal from the stash ~ It was from the home of a beautiful Christian lady who happened to teach both of my children in Kindergarten. She was definitely a LIGHT for Jesus in everything she did.
2. Attach a written note like this (with a Gospel tract stapled to it):
_____________________________________________________________________________
Welcome!
Thank you for coming to our home tonight. We are a Christian family, and do not celebrate Halloween, but we wanted to share this candy as a token of hospitality and friendship.
We choose not to celebrate Halloween because the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to stay away from any form of evil. However, we do celebrate and praise God for the beautiful fall season he has created. He shows His love for us in the diverse beauty of nature, and in the beauty He has given you.
God created each of us and has a wonderful purpose for each of our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says,
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future, and a hope.”
We will never be totally happy and fulfilled apart from Jesus. If you would like to know more about Jesus filling that “empty spot” in your life, please read the enclosed booklet and call us if you have any questions.
We have prayed for each person who steps on our porch tonight, and we thank God for bringing you here.
In Jesus’ name,
The ______ Family
Your address
____________________________________________________________________________
This note was given by my dear friend, Donna, the Mom in a Light-bearing family who lived in a neighborhood FULL of children. There weren’t many other Light-bearing families in their neighborhood, but everyone knew that the Merrit family loved the Lord, and loved their neighbors. God has used them in many ways as His Bright and Loving Light.
3. Links for printables and other ideas
- This is a cute FREE printable bag topper to use for Halloween from minivanministries.com.
- Check out these jokes and puns that go with candy!
- More ideas? This post from The Dating Divas has TONS of printable “punny” tags to go with your candy give-aways. I also have a collection of ideas on my Pinterest Board “Candy Gifts and Sayings.“
Whatever it is that you plan to do on Halloween, if you make it your mission to be a Light Bearer to those whose lives you encounter, God will work and will be glorified. 🙂
“And whatever you do
[no matter what it is] in word or deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person,
giving praise to God the Father through Him.”
Col. 3:17 (Amp)
Hi!! I think these are awesome ideas. We never pass out candy and really don’t celebrate halloween. However, this year I wanted to do something meaningful. I searched Pinterest and came across your post. These are some of the best ideas I’ve seen to share the love of God and about Jesus, while giving out candy. Would you mind if I shared your ideas on my instagram page?? I would give you credit and share your web address. If not, I understand. Thanks for sharing!
Hi there. I’d be glad for you to share this post! May the Light of Jesus SHINE through you and your family this weekend. 😉
Jennifer
Hi, name is Milady. Thank you so much for this great ideas, however my daughter goes to public school Prek. Would you be able to give me any ideas for the light of christ to shine. Thank you, be bless!!! Milady2218@gmail.com
Hi Milady. Thanks for your comment. I am so glad that you want the Light of Christ to shine through your daughter in her public school. And the good news is that you can use any of these candy ideas and she can hand them out. Legally. Anything handed out from a student – not from the school, but from a student – is fair game and completely legal. SO… let your daughter choose a candy, attach a saying and verse or verse reference to it, and encourage her to shine for Jesus as she shares her treats.
You can also give sweet little treats and little happies to the teachers and office staff and include an encouraging word of Scripture.
Though the ACLU and other anti-Christian organizations have used fear, misinformation, and intimidation to make Christians families think that they have no way to express their Christian voices, in reality, the public schools can not legally stop your daughter from giving out candy with sayings about God and Jesus on them. They may try – and they may stop your daughter from doing this, and tell you that there needs to be separation of church and state… but they are either well-meaning and misinformed, or they are hoping to scare you into backing down and keeping quiet.
The first amendment to the Constitution gives all citizens the right of free speech. Just as there will be those students who (because of their 1st Amendment rights) will hand out Halloween treats with witches and ghosts on them, there can also be students who (because of their 1st Amendment rights) can hand out treats with Bible verses attached.
Christians do not have to “hide their lights” while in the midst of the public school system. In fact, that is exactly opposite of what Jesus said that we are to do. We are supposed to let our lights shine… to live and act and react and speak in such a way that others will see our “good works” (the kindness we give, the encouraging words we say and write, the support of the school that we give, the faithfulness with which we keep our words and live our lives) and that will cause them to glorify our Father who is in Heaven.
If your daughter so desires, she is free to carry her Bible to school with her to read anytime she has un-guided reading time.
You are free to send her teachers notes telling them that you are praying for them. Volunteer at the school and always season your words with Grace. Smile. Lend a helping hand. Be a hard worker. And when asked about the joy within you, answer and tell about the hope that you have through Jesus Christ.
When you learn of a need, if it is within your power to do it, then fill it in the Name of Jesus. When someone shares a burden with you… wherever you are…even if you are in the hallway of a grocery store or the school… offer to say a quick prayer for them at that moment. If time doesn’t allow for that, at least promise to pray for her/him, then follow up with the person at a later date.
It’s the little things that we do ~ the little acts of kindness that open the door for the Light of Jesus to shine from us. I guarantee you this: If you ask the Lord what YOU and YOUR FAMILY can do to Shine for Jesus in that public school, as well as in other ares of your lives, He will make it known to you. James 1:5 promises!
And if, by some chance, a teacher or administrator tries to stop your daughter from shining the Light of Jesus, I have experience with an excellent Christian legal team who primary purpose is to defend Christians doing exactly that. (The Alliance Defending Freedom. http://www.AllianceDefendingFreedom.org)
Thanks for this question. As I am typing this reply, I sense the Lord leading me to use this as my Friday’s blog post. Hope you don’t mind. I’ll withhold your name.
Many blessings of the Lord upon you and your daughter. I will pray for you both as you seek to shine the Light of the Savior into the world in which He has placed you. 🙂
Jennifer
What a fun and important post on reaching the lost. I love the ideas and I found when I sent something home with my children’s church kids that almost always the parents read it. So not only are you reaching kids, but the household, too.
I have a link party on Wednesdays where we share ideas of sheltering (encouraging) others. I’d love to have you link this post.
I sincerely love this post. I’ve celebrated Halloween all my life (and have been a Christian for most of it), and I’m just now starting to feel really disturbed about Halloween. I’m already over forty and my kids are almost all grown already, but still. I adore your ideas! It gives those of us who’ve “obligated ourselves”, so to speak, lots and lots of options for turning evil into good! Blessings–
Thank you so much for this encouragement and agreement in the “Halloween” issues. May Jesus’ light shine brightly through us all on the 31st and on every other day of the year. 🙂
Jennifer
I love your ideas! Although I’ve never liked Halloween, I could never turn away little children who knock on my door. At our school (which is not a Christian school), they do celebrate Halloween. The children get dressed up and each class has a parade. The kids dress up like princesses or a character from their favorite show. They look so cute.
I have no idea how many will ring our doorbell this year as we are in a new location. But I will have some treats ready just in case. Thank you for some great ideas so I can be prepared. I always want to be a light wherever I am!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Thanks so much for the ideas!