(Provided photo — Diane Chase)

The most expensive things in my pantry right now are the two bags of Halloween candy. I have threatened my family with corporal punishment to anyone with the audacity to rip open its sealed container and take one of the mini candy bars. No, it’s not a bag of store samples.

We are taking bets on the new look of each “fun-size” candy bar. I live in fear that this opaque plastic bag is actually individually wrapped M&Ms. Since I can’t see inside, I can only feel the tiny droplets of chocolate. My children live in fear that I may eventually stop passing out candy and give away pencils. No matter where they are, as Halloween nears, I get texts reminding me not to be “the pencil house.”

I do pass out stickers, which is allowed by my children’s high standards (for candy they don’t purchase), but only if the stickers are given with candy. There are unspoken, candy-giving rules, which make me want to pass out pencils. A standing ovation for anyone giving out pencils or other non-candy treats. You are putting thought into the process while I succumb to familial pressure.

According to a 2019 Time magazine article, Here’s How Fun-Size Candy Became a Thing, smaller candy bars began production in the 1930s, during the Depression, when sugar was scarce. Manufacturers hoped consumers would treat themselves to a “junior” version of a larger candy rather than go without a sweet. It wasn’t until the 1960s when Mars, Inc. created smaller candy versions of their existing products and called them fun-sized. Now candy manufacturers offer a variety of sizes: king, family, snack, miniature, regular or full-size sweets. I’m sure all the children will be thrilled to get even the smallest bit of candy. Even a small bit of fun is better than no fun at all, right?

If you are concerned that kids may retaliate about the tiny candy choices, at least they won’t throw eggs or toss toilet paper. They might as well be handing you cash. Everything is so expensive. The positive part is always seeing the children’s cute costumes and sharing tiny sweets with my neighbors. Happy Halloween!