Halloween in New England: Residents Recall Giving Out Tuna, Prunes, and Nixon Photos

Residents of New England have shared accounts of the non-candy items they received while trick-or-treating. The responses, collected by the Boston Globe, range from pantry staples to political memorabilia. The list provides a snapshot of the creative and sometimes bizarre choices made by hosts during the holiday.

The tradition of swapping sweets for other goods has roots in both practicality and personality. Some families began the practice during the pandemic to manage supply shortages. Others simply wanted to test the patience of young visitors. One resident from Newton noted that her household started giving out ramen noodles in 2020. She said the experiment became a tradition because children were often excited to choose the noodles over standard candy.

Produce is a common alternative to sugary treats. Melissa from Newton Corner recalled receiving Brussels sprouts. Christine from Sudbury reported getting a russet potato. Carolyn from Needham received a Tupperware container of green tomatoes. A resident of Lowell remembered siblings receiving turnips. Another parent in Franklin noted that a potato weighed down the family’s trick-or-treat pumpkin for the rest of the evening.

Beverages and condiments have also appeared in trick-or-treat bags. Diane from Needham received a can of Coke. Liz from Arlington reported getting soy sauce packets. Ellery from Medford found a mayonnaise packet in their collection. Meaghan from Gilmanton, New Hampshire, recalled a house that offered juice boxes to children and Bud Light to adults. She said her parents circled that house multiple times during the night.

Some hosts provided items that required specific preparation or had distinct textures. Katie from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, handed out individually wrapped biscotti. She said children made rude comments because they did not realize the items were cookies. Sara from Cambridge received small copper plumbing joints from a neighbor in one year and stained wooden fish in another. The neighbor had cut the fish with a jigsaw and offered an impressive variety of shapes.

Monetary gifts and currency appear frequently in the accounts. Lucy from Newton received a roll of quarters. Elif from Lexington reported receiving dollar bills in a red envelope. Taylor from Quincy remembered a woman tossing a handful of pennies into bags. Hazel from Acton described a house that offered a choice of candy or vegetables. If a child picked a vegetable, the host gave them money. Hazel’s daughter came home with a red pepper and 25 cents.

Other unusual items include household goods and personal care products. Cate from Marion recalled a house that gave out little black combs. Rebecca from Medford received metal tongue scrapers, which she guessed came from a dentist’s home. Amy from Beverly has received Bibles every year. An anonymous parent in Arlington reported their child eating the leaves from a Thin Mint tea bag before the family realized what it was.

Karin from Arlington, originally from New Jersey, grew up near Richard Nixon’s residence. She said the former president used to give away autographed photos of himself. She noted that he appeared kind about the process. Jocelyn from Newton took her son trick-or-treating to a house where the host was unprepared. The man went through his cabinet and gave the child a can of tuna and a package of generic-brand cookies.