Creative Halloween Marketing: Is Attaching Business Cards to Candy Bags Tacky?

[adampchef]

I just recieved the following tip for marketing at Halloween...

-Put candy in bags and attach a business card, and hand out to tricker-treaters.
put this on the back of the card, "Here are some treats for your tummy, and give this card to your Mummy"

Okay, my question is this "tacky"?

the thinking is that mom and da go through all the candy and will see the card.

Any thoughts on this??

Thanks!
Adam

 

[DebbieSAChef]

I like itI think that's a great idea.

I always include a little sheet in the goody bags that asks the kids to answer some bible questions and bring it back to get a cool surprise. Usually homemade cookies, or some yummy treat.

I don't see why you couldn't do that. Maybe I will offer kid's cooking classes for those interested on a Saturday or something. Thanks for getting my brain thinking about this.

Debbie

 

[LibrarianChef]

Hmmm, cute little rhyme. Maybe they wouldn't think it tacky if you had some special Halloween special written in on the back--like 10% off a PC cookbook for the upcoming fall cooking or something like that.

Also, I'd just make sure that you give out some pretty special "memorable" candy. It's amazing how much the kids talk about the best houses to go to. Us parents become aware of the generosity, too!

 

[lkprescott]

I like it. I only wish we actually had trick or treaters in this area! Nearly all our neighbors put out their porch lights so it's rare that anyone stops at our house. BTW, I don't think it's tacky. One year a MK mom sent in samples of lotion to school in the kids' goodie bags for Christmas... your idea is no more tacky that that, if you ask me.

 

[ChefJWarren]

This brings up a question for me: I'm taking my daughter trick or treating. We will not actually be handing out candy. I want to make something up and hand out to moms (or dads) as we go door to door. Would you be offended or feel it is tacky if someone solicits as they are trick or treating??

 

[chefsteph07]

My question is...has this been successful for anyone who's tried it?

 

[adampchef]

Thank you all so much! I just wanted to get some feedback, I really like the idea of a "Special Offer"; I may add a special offer for hosting a show!

 

[adampchef]

How does this sound for a special:
Redeem for a $5 credit on an order or take $10 off the Host Special when you host a Cooking Show! Call or e-mail me today!

 

[jrstephens]

... your idea is no more tacky that that, if you ask me.

That cracked me up! So, do you think tacky or not! HA!

 

[peichef]

I'm giving out Holiday Mini Cats & a recipe card inside a bag with a note attached. On the note is my name, PWS & other contact info, along with a plug for booking shows & indiv. orders. I have offered 10% their orders unitl Nov. 19th.
I think I'll put the kids' candy inside each bag & the moms (& dads) can decide if it is for the parents or the kids. I wanted to do the whole "be a smartie book a party" line -- but it was already getting expensive & I couldn't find enough smarties!

 

[jrstephens]

I would do something if we were going to be home. We are having a Fall Festival at our church. I do not feel comfortable marketing PC from the church.

 

[easytoprepare]

Awhile ago I found a really neat document on here from another consultant that I am using. If you go under "Files" then in the Filter/Sort go to "documents" and then in Search type "Trick" It's official name is Halloween Trick or Treat. I am putting that in a bag with some candy, and it'll cost me a couple of bucks, but it can bring in a few that's all good, and if anything it gets my name out there! Thatnx to the person who posted the document!

 

[Cassie1037]

I attached smarties to the file named- To all the Mummies. They look very cute. I did all black print on orange cardstock. I will be dropping off a bowl of cards with candies at my dads, and I will be handing them out at my house. (Both houses are different areas of town) I hope to get my name out!

 

[beepampered]

My husband said I could not give out candy and it was absolutely too tacky. So, despite the fact that I think it's a great idea, I will not be doing anything special for Halloween....BEE

 

[cathyskitchen]

My husband said I could not give out candy and it was absolutely too tacky. So, despite the fact that I think it's a great idea, I will not be doing anything special for Halloween....BEE

I also think it's tacky to hand out your business card/info. on Halloween, or take things door-to-door and try to solicit on a fun holiday for the kids. It ruins the fun of the day (BTW, it's not a "Devil worship" day, either - don't get me up on that soap box!). The only person I expect to be asking me for money at my door is the kid with the UNICEF box!!

 

[riggs62]

All for it!I'm taking my little guy to the mall in the stroller with a 10% coupon for orders with candy attached. I'll be wearing my apron and a chef's hat. I'll be giving little gifts to all the mommies pushing strollers and chasing kids like me. Mom's deserve treats too!! If I were at the mall with the kids trick or treating, I wouldn't be offended if a MK lady gave me a sample or coupon. I love a deal! I'm all over it.
Good luck tomorrow everyone!

 

[lkprescott]

That cracked me up! So, do you think tacky or not! HA!

It depends on the tack. LOL... lawn gnomes good.. pink flamingos :yuck:

 

[lkprescott]

I also think it's tacky to hand out your business card/info. on Halloween, or take things door-to-door and try to solicit on a fun holiday for the kids. It ruins the fun of the day (BTW, it's not a "Devil worship" day, either - don't get me up on that soap box!). The only person I expect to be asking me for money at my door is the kid with the UNICEF box!!

I second the BTW part. There's a rich and interesting history and when one looks at how American it is... it truly is thanks to the country's roots of immigration. The History Channel - Home Page has a lot of good info.

Oh also some folks might be around collecting used glasses for http://www.sightnight.org/ depending on the area. We did unicef one year through the UU church we used to go to but we ended up filling it mostly at home as that year we only went to a couple houses (good houses - full sized candy bar houses LOL) and that didn't fill two kids' worth of boxes.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I second the BTW part. There's a rich and interesting history and when one looks at how American it is... it truly is thanks to the country's roots of immigration. The History Channel - Home Page has a lot of good info.

Oh also some folks might be around collecting used glasses for http://www.sightnight.org/ depending on the area. We did unicef one year through the UU church we used to go to but we ended up filling it mostly at home as that year we only went to a couple houses (good houses - full sized candy bar houses LOL) and that didn't fill two kids' worth of boxes.

That is funny! I can actually hear kids passing on the info about those houses to other kids! Brings back some great "kid" memories. My son is only 3, so we are just beginning those memories......

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Disagree

I second the BTW part. There's a rich and interesting history and when one looks at how American it is... it truly is thanks to the country's roots of immigration. The History Channel - Home Page has a lot of good info.

Oh also some folks might be around collecting used glasses for http://www.sightnight.org/ depending on the area. We did unicef one year through the UU church we used to go to but we ended up filling it mostly at home as that year we only went to a couple houses (good houses - full sized candy bar houses LOL) and that didn't fill two kids' worth of boxes.

Sorry I have to disagree with that BTW comment. My family believes it is a day of evil and not something our kids should participate in. So we don't. We pass out bible tracts and candy and try to get to know our neighbors. I don't think we as Christians should shut off our lights and ignore all those lost souls who come by the house. We have kids from the neighborhood over to play all the time. They know around Halloween I include a list of 10 fill in the blanks from bible verses that when they fill it out, can come back and get a surprise from me. I really enjoy doing this!

Debbie

 

[LibrarianChef]

I just wanted to share that we used to not celebrate Halloween. But we will from this year forward--we just won't celebrate it in the way that many do. We're trying to rediscover the way early Christians celebrated it which changes our focus entirely. We read http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1589971558/ref=cm_cr_pr_helpful/102-6663202-5564160 and re-discovered the roots of Halloween (All Saints' Evening). It was nice to be reminded that there's nothing inherently evil about this date. What most people think of as evil was actually Samhain (the pagan holiday from a Celtic origin that Halloween falls in the middle of).

Until reading this book we didn't understand why so many believers claimed Halloween to be a Christian holiday. We saw the American commercialism all around us glorifying death and thought they were crazy. But the book was liberating and just helped give us a starting point which has carried us on to other areas of research. The book also reminded us that Christmas was created the same way that Halloween was--purposefully put on the same date as another pagan holiday to help change the focus of the season. So if we choose not to celebrate Halloween then to be consistent we would also need to consider not celebrating Christmas. If you're interested in other reviews, click on the book title above.

 

[jrstephens]

So if we choose not to celebrate Halloween then to be consistent we would also need to consider not celebrating Christmas.

hmmmm correct me If I am wrong but there is no Halloween in the Bible and it has nothing to do with Jesus' birth, so, I do not think it can be compared to Christmas.

We celebrate do Halloween but we do it at church with a Fall Festival and no ghost or witches involved, just good clean Christian fun.

 

[pckelly]

Us too Jennifer, I have been taking my son to Fall Festivals, and churchs for their trunk and treats for YEARS!!

 

[dannyzmom]

In an effort to bring this back to a BUSINESS-BUILDING thread....
I am attaching little $5 coupons to each of the candies I am giving out to Trick-or-Treaters tonight. It offers $5 off your next PC order of $25 or more. I am hoping this'll let some people who have not yet met me know that I do PC and may bring me in an order or two...ar hhopefully maybe even a booking!

What are YOU doing to help build your business today?

 

[LibrarianChef]

hmmmm correct me If I am wrong but there is no Halloween in the Bible and it has nothing to do with Jesus' birth

Actually, if you've read about the origins, Halloween had everything to do with Jesus' birth, life, and his death. All Saint's Day (Hallow means Saint) was created by the early church for those who lived their lives patterned after His life and those who were martyrs for Jesus Christ. I guess I'm not sure what you're saying about the Bible, so maybe you could clarify just so that I can better understand. Christmas isn't in the Bible, either, and scholars agree that it certainly was no where near December 25th.

Many Christians who celebrate Halloween utilize the many Biblical stories of followers who gave everything to further the message of Christ--Paul, Stephen, and the like. Both holidays were created by man, not God.

I think a Fall Festival is a wonderful thing to participate in and I wasn't saying anything to the contrary. However, we've spent Halloweens in the past with our door locked and huddled in a back room thinking Halloween was somehow evil. I'm sorry if you took offense at any thing I shared. My comments certainly weren't shared to shun anyone, but I'll re-read them just to be sure they don't come across that way. I guess it was very exciting to begin our research on Halloween and discover so much more historical truth that we never know.

 

[LibrarianChef]

In an effort to bring this back to a BUSINESS-BUILDING thread....
I am attaching little $5 coupons to each of the candies I am giving out to Trick-or-Treaters tonight. It offers $5 off your next PC order of $25 or more. I am hoping this'll let some people who have not yet met me know that I do PC and may bring me in an order or two...ar hhopefully maybe even a booking!

What are YOU doing to help build your business today?

Yes, Carolyn. You're right...back to business. I won't be doing the business cards this year. I thought about it because I'm still very new to the business, but I'm kinda worried about how it might be taken by other home business moms in our neighborhood. There are a TON of moms in our neighborhood and town with small businesses.

 

[dannyzmom]

Yes, Carolyn. You're right...back to business. I won't be doing the business cards this year. I thought about it because I'm still very new to the business, but I'm kinda worried about how it might be taken by other home business moms in our neighborhood. There are a TON of moms in our neighborhood and town with small businesses.

I would imagine it might light a fire under THEM to start advertising their own businesses!! LOL
A few years ago the neighborhood MK lady attached coupons to her candy...THAT'S what got me started doing the same thing!

 

[Tara1021]

it's funny...i was just thinking about making some labels to put on the back of some business cards to drop in the bags with candy...

 

[dannyzmom]

it's funny...i was just thinking about making some labels to put on the back of some business cards to drop in the bags with candy...

Great idea Tara!
I figure for the few cents it costs me to print the thing sup I might as well get them out there -- and what better way than in kids' Halloween candy!

 

[ChefNic]

I've handed out things before and never hear anything back.
I don't think it's tacky...They are coming to MY door...I can give them anything I want...as long as it isn't harmful!
They can throw it away...or it may land in the hands of my next recruit or $1000 show host!
But...i'm not handing out anything tonight...