The Halloween Switch Witch
This was our family’s first time doing the switch witch so I wanted to share our experience with you. While trick or treating friends told us the story of the Switch Witch. That she needs candy to build her house so she will come to your home (if you invite her) to take your candy and leave a toy in its place.
If you like to get really into the magic of storytelling there is a cute book and gift set I found on Amazon here.
We like to do things a little more low key, and we also decided to do this pretty last minute so we did not read the book. We stayed out trick-or-treating late and did not do the switch on Halloween night. As my wonderful, smart friend told her kids, “The Switch Witch can’t come on Halloween night because then the late trick-or-treaters would see her!!” LOVE!! So in our house we are going to stick with the tradition that the Switch Witch visits on November 1st. (Mom win!)
So the day after Halloween we decided that each of us would keep 10 pieces of candy. (Oh yes, Mom and Dad get to keep some too!!). The idea is the more candy you give the better toy you get. If you want or need to do that. My girls didn’t need to be persuaded. They were excited!
I would like to say that through this whole process the kids were completely on board with this idea. This is a voluntary thing. I didn’t make the kids give up their candy or put any limit on how much trick-or-treating they could do. I completely understand this won’t work for every kid or every family. This is our experience.
Next you have to leave the Switch Witch a note! (We hadn’t officially decided that the Switch Witch comes on Nov 1, so you will see that my sweet daughter is pleading with her to please still come even though we are a day late!)
In the morning, the girls were SO excited to see what the Switch Witch left them. (This part would be based on your family and what you think is an appropriate trade). My girls received a book to share, a Lego Harry Potter figure each, and a shirt each.
I did a little research on Pinterest for what to include in the reply letter. There were a lot of templates available, but I decided to make my own. I added that the Switch Witch gives and leftover candy she doesn’t need for her house and flies it to the troops (I guess it just seemed selfish of her to keep it all) and of course added a little bit about keeping their teeth healthy because the tooth fairy had just come for a visit too and it seemed like they (both being magical creatures) would know each other. Gotta keep all the magic together, right?!!
All in all this was really fun for our family and I suggest you keep this in mind for next year. Always make things work for YOU and don’t worry about doing it “Right” or “Wrong.” It’s all about what is fun for you and your kids!!
Do you think you will try the Switch Witch?
