With Halloween on the horizon, our thoughts must turn to another first brought on by the year 2020 -- Trick or Treat during a pandemic. Obviously, celebrations this year will not look like years past. Masks will be required and communities will be expected to social distance. Avoiding the Corona Virus will have to figure into your celebration plans. Nevertheless, whether your community is changing things up or individually you have to figure out the safest way to accomplish your goal, one thing never changes -- candy will be an important part of the season.

Candy -- like hearing certain songs on the radio, for many adults, eating a favorite sweet treat from one’s childhood can instantly transport them to a much simpler, happy time in life. The look and feel of the packaging, the aroma, the taste, the texture -- all play into this nostalgia, amplifying the enjoyment of the treat part of “trick or treat!”

For many kids, while nostalgia plays no part in their enjoyment, this is one time when parents are generally much more relaxed about how much candy a child can have. After all, Halloween comes but once a year! 

From classics like candy corn and KitKats to limited-time-only treats from Hershey's, Reese's, Werther's, and more, these are some of the best Halloween candy options that will make everyone in the neighborhood excited to ring your doorbell.

• Classic Reese’s cups -- whether full-size, miniature, or pumpkin-shaped, these peanut butter and milk chocolate treats have been a favorite in the U.S. since 1928. (Btw, they DEFINITELY taste best in pumpkin shape. It’s a known fact. 😉)
• Sweet Tarts -- Sour and sweet at the same time, sweet tarts candy is the perfect bite-sized treat that makes your lips pucker and your eyes widen in amazement. This sugary sweet, tangy treat often resembles a tiny button, but packs that perfect punch despite its little size. Plus, they have novelty shapes for different seasons. Halloween-themed Sweet Tarts come in the shape of bones and skulls -- perfectly delicious and scary at the same time!
• Haribo Gummies -- Haribo celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Created in Germany in 1920, gummy bears became iconic in the candy world. In 1960, Haribo introduced what continues to be their number one seller even today -- the Haribo Gold Bear. From classic teddy bears to sour gummy worms, the shapes, flavors, and consistent high quality have made these the favorites of gummy lovers around the world.

For those of you who just can’t make up your minds, there are wonderful variety packs that feature a mix of favorites from Mars Wrigley (Snickers, M & Ms, Skittles, just to name a few), Hershey’s (Kisses, Reese’s, Kit Kats, and much more), and other popular candy companies. Many of these are specifically packaged or made in holiday shapes for Halloween. Glow in the dark packaging, Halloween-inspired shapes, and variety packs are sure to be hits with all of the ghosts and goblins in your life, both young and old alike. 

Trick or Treat 2020 may be challenging when it comes to figuring out the safest ways that everyone can enjoy the holiday, but one thing definitely won’t be different this year -- CANDY! Whether your community is hosting house to house, drive-thru, or virtually, candy will continue to be a major part of the festivities, and if you have leftovers (we all secretly hope), you’ll want them to be something you and your family will enjoy, right? So you might as well buy your favorites from the start! Happy Halloween from all of us at Bellisari’s!