My strategy for getting the most Halloween candy

As I wheeled Luke around in his stroller, our friends offered him candy, mesmerized by his cuteness.


Trish King, Karin Streeks and Cam Anderson hand out candy to the parade of costumes Oct. 26, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Photos by Brian McMillan
Trish King, Karin Streeks and Cam Anderson hand out candy to the parade of costumes Oct. 26, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Photos by Brian McMillan
  • Palm Coast Observer
  • Opinion
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Trunk-or-treating with my 1-year-old son, Luke, on Oct. 26, was a lot like fishing: He was the bait at the end of my rod, and I reeled in the candy.

At The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ trunk-or-treat event on Saturday, my plan worked quite well. As I wheeled Luke around in his stroller, our friends offered him candy, mesmerized by his cuteness. Meanwhile, I carefully observed what they were dropping into his bucket. Occasionally, I suggested, “Oh, Luke doesn’t like that.” So instead of Bottle Caps, “Luke” was given Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. My favorite!

Of course, Luke won’t be getting any of this candy, I thought. His body is too small. As an adult, my body is large enough to withstand great amounts of chocolate; it’s something of a talent.

But by the end of the night, Luke was starting to get tired of this confusing parade of monsters, princesses and ghosts. He started whining and twisting around in his stroller.

Then he looked up at me with his sad, blue eyes, which seemed to convey a clear message directly to my soul, “You used me. The least you can do is give me those M&M’s.”

I shook my head, no, for the aforementioned reasons.

But then he rubbed his chest — his best attempt at saying “please” in sign language.

Sadly, I gave him his M&M’s.

Fortunately, it was only Oct. 26. Halloween is almost here, giving me a second chance to stay true to my principles.

 

author

Brian McMillan

Brian McMillan and his wife, Hailey, bought the Observer in 2023. Before taking on his role as publisher, Brian was the editor from 2010 to 2022, winning numerous awards for his column writing, photography and journalism, from the Florida Press Association.

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