Once upon a Halloween night, When the moon shone ever so bright, The Switch Witch came to town, With a magical spell to turn things around. Kids had collected candy galore, But they wanted something more. Their bags were heavy, their teeth would ache, They wished for something healthier to take. In came the Switch Witch, with a mischievous grin, She said, "Give me your candy, let the switch begin!" She swapped the sweets for something better, And left behind a note, with love in every letter. "Dear child, your candy will now be put to use, For it's not healthy to eat so much sugary juice. In exchange, I've left a surprise just for you, A toy or treat, something fun and new.
The Switch Witch
Have you heard of the Switch Witch? I hadn’t until last year. I came across the story on Pinterest and fell in love with the idea! Candy is not a staple in my home. Only on rare occasions my kids will be seen with a piece of candy. I cringe at all of the candy they bring home after Trick or Treating. Until now.
So here is how it works. I found the poem, printed it out and read it to my kids. The Switch Witch is actually the sister of the tooth fairy (makes the witch a little less scary). On Halloween night after we get home from Trick or Treating I let each kids pick out 15 pieces of candy to keep. You can choose any amount. Then we place the leftover candy on the front porch for the Switch Witch. The idea of a witch coming into our house would not be up for discussion with my kids, even if she is a nice witch. While we are sleeping the Switch Witch comes and takes our candy in exchange for a gift.
Some examples are a toy, movie or a coloring book. You decide. My kids could not wait to see what they got. I ended up spending between $5-$7 per kid. I found the bags and gifts at The Dollar Store. I bought the girls a Monster High purse color n’ style (fitting right), and Connor a toy gun. And would you believe that I went that very night to buy the stuff. That is because I did not actually learn about the Switch Witch until the day of Halloween. So this will be our second year doing it and I hope to be more prepared. 🙂
Now you are probably wondering what to do with the leftover candy. You can then donate your leftover candy to troops overseas. Go to HalloweenCandyBuyBack.com to find one in your area. Even teachers or daycares may be interested in taking your leftovers since they buy class rewards typically with their own money. I am sure someone would happily take the candy off your hands.
Have you tried the Switch Witch in your home? What did you think? Or will this be your first year trying it out?
The Switch Witch: A Healthy Halloween Tradition
This year will be my 3-year-old son’s first official time Trick-or-Treating. He is already so excited about the candy (I may have bribed him with the promise of some treats to get him to try on his ninja turtle costume, #momoftheyear). Of course, I am going to let him enjoy some of the candy, but the sheer volume of it is cringe-worthy for this health conscience mamma! So this year, we are starting out “The Switch Witch” for a healthy Halloween tradition where everyone wins! Mommy gets to sleep easier knowing its a more healthy decision, and kids get candy! Less mom guilt is ALWAYS a win!
I stumbled upon the Switch Witch idea recently and just love it! Being a health and fitness advocate, this was right up my alley, but food allergy parents have been using this idea for a few years now and I am taking a page from their books!
Here’s how it works: Print out the poem, read it to you kids before you head out Trick or Treating. Then when you get home, let your kids pick out a set amount of candy to pick (I’m thinking 10) and place the rest of the candy on the front porch for the Switch Witch. At night while you are sleeping she (aka you) will come replace the candy with a gift or toy. It can be something simple like a movie, book or coloring book. Take a trip to the dollar store.
It’s also a great option for you kids who have allergies. Make sure they don’t miss out on the Halloween fun! Check out Pinterest for other versions of the poem and pick out the one that fits your specific needs.
Don’t just throw away your candy though! I plan to donate ours to troops overseas. Check out Operation Gratitude’s Halloween Candy For Heros.
Have any of you tried this before? How did it go?
Will you try it this year?
If you feel like you partake in too many Halloween Treats, join [Moms Only] Living Room Workout Club for a Fall in Love with Fitness Challenge the month of November.
Switch Witch: the What, Why and How to Do It Right
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Learn the ins and outs of the Switch Witch Halloween tradition—including what exactly it is, how it works, and how it can help kids practice flexing important intuitive eating muscles.
In exchange, I've left a surprise just for you, A toy or treat, something fun and new. Enjoy this gift, it's a special treat, As you learn to make healthier choices to eat. Remember, balance is key, my dear, Happy Halloween, until next year!" The children woke up, filled with delight, To find their candy gone, but something bright, A new toy, a book, or a healthy snack, Thanks to the Switch Witch's magical knack.
Switch Witch
Switch Witch is one of the newer holiday traditions that we probably didn’t have as kids and it’s become quite popular around Halloween.
The idea is kids invite the witch (no worries, she’s nice!) to take some the candy they don’t want and leave a “healthier” treat in its place. And while I’ve totally ignored the Elf on the Shelf, I have been doing the witch and find it to be super useful around Halloween—though I have changed it a lot to avoid sending mixed messages around candy.
With a lesson learned and a joyful heart, They knew it was time for a fresh start. They embraced a balanced diet every day, Knowing the Switch Witch would soon be on her way. So when Halloween arrives each year, And the Switch Witch comes near, Remember the message she brings along, To make healthier choices and stay strong. In the spirit of joy and giving, Let the Switch Witch help with healthy living. Say goodbye to excess candy with a smile, And embrace a Halloween tradition that's worthwhile..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Secrets of the Switch Witch: A Haunting Poem"
1. Jennifer - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really excited to read "The Switch Witch Poem" with my kids, especially during the Halloween season. However, I was disappointed with the repetitive and dull rhyme scheme in the poem. It lacked creativity and failed to capture the imaginations of my children. Additionally, the storyline was weak and didn't engage them in any meaningful way. Overall, it was a forgettable read that didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars - I found "The Switch Witch Poem" to be extremely boring and unoriginal. The rhyme scheme felt forced and lacked any sort of rhythm, making it difficult to read aloud to my kids. The plot was predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. I wish there had been more depth and complexity to the poem to make it more enjoyable and engaging for both children and adults.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - As a teacher, I was hoping to use "The Switch Witch Poem" as a fun addition to my Halloween lesson plans. However, I found the poem to be uninspiring and uninsightful. The language used was too simplistic, and the overall message of the poem was unclear. It failed to capture the attention of my students and didn't provide any valuable lessons or themes. It felt like a missed opportunity to create a memorable and educational piece of literature for children.
4. Mark - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The Switch Witch Poem" with my niece, but we both found it to be quite underwhelming. The rhyming scheme felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to read aloud. The story lacked excitement and failed to engage my niece's interest. It didn't have the magical or enchanting elements that we were expecting from a Halloween-themed poem. Overall, it fell flat and didn't leave a lasting impression.