The biggest problem with these Halloween sweets is that they have plenty of calories per serving and little nutritional value. Plus, the smaller “fun-size” treats often fool dieters into thinking that they can eat multiple pieces without harming their diets. But t only takes 9 of these mini-candy bars to add a quarter of a pound of fat to your body.

Beyond candy, Halloween is also filled with other indulgent treats. Whether it is pumpkin pie, gooey popcorn balls, or sweet candied apples, there is no shortage of calories during the month of October.

What can you do?

Obviously, there is no way that you can totally eliminate candy from Halloween with spoiling all of the fun. So here are some tips to help you stick to your diet, while still allowing yourself the occasional sweet indulgence.

• Walk when trick-or-treating. Not only is it a good idea to supervise your kids while they are out trick-or-treating, it will help you burn some extra calories while you do it, even if you are walking slowly.

• Store leftovers in the cupboard. If you leave the Halloween candy out in plain sight, you will be more likely to indulge in the “occasional” snack. Storing it in an unmarked container in the cupboard will help reduce the temptation to have a taste.

• Wait until Halloween to buy candy. Yes, it does mean a little bit of last minute shopping, but having candy in the house prior to Halloween is merely a temptation to eat it. If waiting until Halloween to shop is just not practical with your schedule, only buy candy that you personally don't care for.

• Provide candy alternatives. Whether it is treats for the trick-or-treaters or munchies for your Halloween party, thinking healthy when you shop can help keep diet damaging foods to the minimum. Consider handing out stickers or pencils to trick-or-treaters, and look for veggie trays with healthy dips and other low fat snacks for your party.

• Give Halloween candy a deadline. Choose a date when all Halloween candy needs to be out of the house or eaten by the kids. Any remaining candy on that day should be thrown out. Alternatively, divide up surplus candy into freezer bags and store in the freezer. This will help prevent the temptation to snack.

• Focus on other activities. If you can, consider skipping trick-or-treating altogether and focus on an activity that doesn't center around food. Hayrides, haunted houses, and bonfires can all be fun activities that the whole family can participate in.

Of course, if you can't keep your Halloween temptations to a minimum, your other alternative is to spend some extra time at the gym working the pounds off. The choice is up to you.

Boo! Ha-ha. Got you. Honestly though, Halloween can be a spooky time for everyone. Kids are scared of the un-known ghosts and goblins that possibly reside behind trees or in gutters while parents are scared of un-known people who are out and up to no good.

To ensure your employees and clients’ families are safe and have a stress free Halloween, make a check list or consider giving them promotional products before Halloween. Not only will the products increase safety, they will also promote your business!

Here are a few promotional products ensure safe trick-or-treating in your community:

1) Flashlights

Sidewalks are sometimes uneven and many neighborhoods are not lit well. Help your clients and employees’ kids avoid injuries by giving them flashlights. Flashlights are an easy and economical way to keep kids safe and aware of their surroundings.

2) Tote Bags

Occasionally plastic bags and even worn pillow cases can get holes in them, leaving candy to spill on the pavement. Help clients and employees’ kids avoid this problem by giving them a tote bag. This product may not aid in safety, but it will make carrying candy easier for kids. A tote bag can be used for gathering candy…a lot of candy.

3) Glow Bracelets

Ensure that kids are easily seen with these nifty glow bracelets. While most people are aware children are out and about collecting candy on Halloween, some people may forget. Glow bracelets can help people driving cars see children quicker and make them slow down. Plus, kids love them!

These promotional products can take some of the stress off parents before their kids go out on Halloween. Not only will they promote your business, but they will show your community that your company cares about its well-being. Make sure all your clients and employees’ have a spooky, not dangerous, Halloween.

* Was Halloween originally a pagan or a Christian holiday?

Like the celebration of Christmas day, originally Halloween was a pagan festival rather than a Christian holiday. It was only around 10th century that the Roman Catholic Church established this holy day. This was initiated for purifying the spirits of the dead.

* What is the origin of trick-or-treating?

Trick-or-treating, a major Halloween tradition, is related to the "soul cake day" of Christian people, with a belief that the treat pacifies a mischievous spirit. Formerly, children who were trick-or-treating would vandalize houses that did not give them treats. They roamed around the neighborhood soliciting candy or other kinds of treats. This was became popular up to the 20th century.

It was in the year 1970 that the trick-or-treating tradition started to wane because of several rumors that some households were handing out harmful or poisonous treats to children. Today many parents accompany their children while trick-or-treating or organize private Halloween parties.

* Why is Halloween celebrated on October 31st?

Halloween is celebrated on October 31st because the Celtic people believed that it is the end of "season of the sun" and the start of "season of darkness and cold" due to winter. They believe that it is the time when evil spirits are most likely to roam the earth.

* Is Halloween celebrated on the same day around the world?

No. Halloween in some parts of the world may not even occur on October 31st. A number of countries celebrate Halloween on November 1 or 2. Other prefers to celebrate it at some other time, mostly during the fall or summer season.

* What countries celebrate Halloween?

Halloween is one of the oldest traditions and is celebrated around the globe. While many countries commemorate Halloween it is in North America and Canada where Halloween is most popular. Other countries that join in the celebration are Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Czechoslovakia, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Latin America, Spain, and Sweden.

* How did Halloween get started in the U.S.?

The first-ever recorded Halloween celebration in the United States occurred in Anoka, Minnesota, in 1921. That was the start of trick-or-treat, Halloween costume parties, and a series of activities depicting the essence of the celebration.

* Why do we carve pumpkins for Halloween?

Carving of pumpkins is descended from earliest Irish tradition. Originally a turnip was used instead of a pumpkin. According to some stories, it was believed to ward off evil spirits.

When the Irish people began to immigrate to America, they realized that carved pumpkins were more realistic than turnips, as well as easier to carve.

1. What rock star worked as a gravedigger before starting his musical career? A. Roy Orbison B. Billy Joel C. Mick Jaggar D. Rod Stewart

1. What famous rock star worked as a gravedigger before starting his musical career? D. Rod Stewart TBD: That wasn't The QuizQueen's guess either, but that's what the research says!

2. Which tradition was NOT a precursor to Halloween? A. The Celtic tradition of giving thanks at the close of the harvest season? B. The European tradition of lighting candles and masquerading in costume to scare evil spirits away. C. The celebration of the birth of Marilyn Manson. D. The Irish custom where wealthy landowners would give food to the poor in hopes that the ghosts would look favorably on them and spare them from mischief.

2. Which tradition was NOT a precursor to Halloween? C. The celebration of the birth of Marilyn Manson. TBD: Gosh The QuizQueen sure hopes you got that right. Although who knows what historians in the next Millenium will conclude after studying the effluvium we leave behind.

3. Which phobia is the fear of Halloween? A. Caspariophobia B. Samhainophobia C. Demonophobia D. Boophobia

3. Which phobia is the fear of Halloween? B. Samhainophobia TBD: Personally, The QuizQueen has always been more frightened of Caspar than Celts, but you can't quibble with the facts.

4. Where does the name "Halloween" come from? A. In Scotland, the Celtic Feast of the Sun, which marked the end of summer was known as "Hallowe'en." B. In Ireland, the Celtic Feast of the Sun, which marked the end of summer was known as "Hollow Eve." C. The Druids held a ritual on that night honoring the leader of their sect. His name was Hal Ween. D. The Roman ceremony of burying a hollow casket to trap evil spirits beneath the ground.

4. Where does the name "Halloween" come from? A. In Scotland, the Celtic Feast of the Sun, which marked the end of summer was known as "Hallowe'en." TBD: The QuizQueen really hopes you didn't answer "C" here.

5. What is the purpose of a witch's familiar? A. Hey, everybody has to have a friend, even Broomhilda. B. The stooge she sends out to lure innocent victims to her lair. C. An animal, such as a black cat, that amplifies her power. D. Every witch is required to have a black cat, according to coven code, so it has become tradition to see the "familiar" black cat at a witch's side.

5. What is the purpose of a witch's familiar? C. An animal, such as a black cat, that amplifies her power. TBD: While "A" might be true, this is the real answer.

6. Lycanthropy is a term derived from Greek. What does it mean? A. A psychiatric state in which the patient believes he or she is a wolf. B. A person with a deadly fear of wearing Lycra (which is used in the making of some halloween costumes). C. A devotee of Lycos, the ancient Roman god whose feast was originally held on Halloween. D. An inductee of the cult of Zeus which held a yearly gathering on Mt. Lycaeus.

6. Lycanthropy is a term derived from Greek. What does it mean? A. A psychiatric state in which the patient believes he or she is a wolf. TBD: The QuizQueen has always wondered what they call someone with a deadly fear of Lycra…

7. How did the "jack-o-lantern" get that name? A. An old man named Jack who was too mean even to get into hell. The Devil gave him a piece of burning coal and sent him away. Jack used a turnip to hold the burning coal and serve as a lantern. B. The Devil's favorite dish is pumpkin pie and a clever man named Jack carved all the pumpkins in town into lanterns to drive the Devil away with a blaze of bright light and of course deprive him of his treat. C. In ancient times, when children went trick-or-treating, they were guided by a man who carried a lantern. The guide was called a "Jack." D. The man who first cultivated the potato and carved it into a lantern was named Jack.

7. How did the "jack-o-lantern" get that name? A. A mean old man named Jack who was too mean even to get into hell. The Devil gave him a piece of burning coal and sent him away. Jack used a turnip to hold the burning coal and serve as a lantern. TBD: You should deduct points if you guessed any of The QuizQueen's creative answers!

8. Can you pick out Halloween's former name? A. All Hallow's Eve B. All Hallow's Day C. All Hallowmass D. All Soul's Day

8. Can you pick out Halloween's former name? A. All Hallow's Eve TBD: The important thing to remember is that it was the NIGHT before!

9. The word warlock is a derivation of the Saxon-English term "war-loek" which means what? A. Man with the magic hands B. Oath breaker C. Witch's husband D. Doomed one

9. The word warlock is a derivation of the saxon-english term "war-loek" which means what? B. Oath breaker. TBD: Did you sing along with "A"?

10. The Celtics would carry a lantern when they walked on the eve of October 31st. These first "jack-o-lanterns" were carved with faces to scare evil spirits away. What vegetable was originally used to make a "jack-o-lantern?" A. Turnip B. Potato C. Pumpkin D. Watermelon

10. The Celtics would carry a lantern when they walked on the eve of October 31st. These first "jack-o-lanterns" were carved with faces to scare evil spirits away. What vegetable was originally used to make a "jack-o-lantern?" A. Turnip TBD: Sometimes you don't even need to set up the joke.