I posted about this last year but thought it was worth a repeat.

For Halloween I make lots of cheap jewelry out of supplies that I rarely use, and offer the trick-or-treaters a choice of jewelry or candy (Reese's peanut butter cups.) About 2/3 of the kids choose the jewelry.

Anyone here who is even remotely good at crafts can make something out of fabric, paper, beads etc. Make jewelry or a toy or mini-scrapbook or anything kids might want. It's fun, it's cheaper and healthier than candy (which leaves the Reese's for me...) and the kids get such a kick out of it.