Candy is great. Free candy is better.

Halloween gives kids a chance to stock up on all the best chocolates and sweets neighborhood homes have to offer.

There are ways to double and even triple dip if you don’t mind a few short drives.

Area malls are known to host “safe” trick or treat events so that children, especially younger ones, don’t have to stay up late or walk too far to enjoy the holiday festivities. Children can dress up and go from participating store to participating store where they can get goodies.

On Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m., both the Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre and the Viewmont Mall in Dickson City will hold their events. All children ages 12 and under can get treats at stores that display a balloon. Besides the candy, each mall will have a giant haunted house in its center court.

At the Shoppes at Montage in Moosic, the safe trick or tricking parade is Saturday at noon. Children 12 and under and in costume can participate. Merchants will be distributing candy and novelties and tickets will be distributed for a grand prize drawing.

For readers in the western part of the county, the Columbia Mall in Buckhorn is hosting its trick or treating parade Thursday at 6:30 p.m. It starts at the gazebo and all children in costume receive a trick-or-treat bag with goodies and parade through the mall collecting treats from the stores.

Stock up now on whatever you’re going to be giving to those trick or treaters who may be visiting your home.

Bags of candy are on sale at pretty much every retail outlet in the region. Check out today’s inserts to compare prices to get the best deal.

Some of my favorite giveaways are not chocolate, nor any kind of candy. They’re not even edible in the form you hand them out in but they’ll certainly turn into something tasty. They’re coupons that you can buy at some fast food joints.

Wendy’s has a booklet of 10 free junior frosty coupons on sale for $1 and McDonald’s has a sheet of 12 coupons on sale for $1.

McDonald’s sheet includes three coupons for a free ice cream cone, three for a free apple juice or milk, three for a free apple dippers and three for a free hamburger. The coupons can be redeemed from Nov. 1 until Dec. 31 but only by children ages 12 or younger.

So all you grown-ups out there without kids, I know it seems like a good idea to keep some coupons for yourself, but it won’t work in this case. Wendy’s, however, has no age restrictions.

About the Author

Andrew M. Seder is a staff writer for the Times Leader. Reach him at (570) 829-7269 or aseder@timesleader.com.

Andrew M. Seder has been a Times Leader staff writer since 2008. He's been a journalist in Northeast Pennsylvania since 1999 covering political races and offices at the national, state, county and local levels. He's primarily covered the 10th Congressional District and state Legislative issues for The Times Leader.

Archives

Score on Super Bowl Sunday whether at home or out on the town ANDREW M. SEDER Steals & Deals

Marywood Center offers help for those suffering from life’s stress ANDREW M. SEDER Steals & Deals

Smell like pink chiffon in Bath & Body Works’ Facebook giveaway ANDREW M. SEDER STEALS & DEALS

WB Penguins star, McDonald’s team up for a good cause ANDREW M. SEDER Steals & Deals

Musselman offers a deal that could be right up your alley ANDREW M. SEDER Steals & Deals

Celebrate the New Year by redeeming your gift cards ANDREW M. SEDER Steals & Deals

Keep the caffeine flowing, after-holiday sales are everywhere ANDREW M. SEDER STEALS & DEALS

It’s gift cards galore and more at area businesses

If Jim’s your name, then the burger is on Red Robin ANDREW M. SEDER STEALS & DEALS

Online retailers power up holiday deals for Cyber Monday ANDREW M. SEDER STEALS & DEALS