Residents recall prunes, plumbing fittings, and Richard Nixon photos in Halloween hauls

Residents of the Boston area and neighboring states report receiving a wide array of non-traditional items during recent Halloween celebrations, ranging from produce and personal care products to currency and political memorabilia. While candy remains the dominant offering, these unusual gifts often stem from homeowner preferences, household shortages, or specific cultural traditions.

Food items outside the category of sweets appear frequently in the accounts. Submissions include individually wrapped biscotti, soy sauce packets, Brussels sprouts, walnuts, and a can of Coke. Several households reported receiving produce such as russet potatoes, turnips, green tomatoes, and a handful of peas. In one instance, a child in Acton was offered a choice between candy and vegetables. Upon selecting a red pepper, the child also received 25 cents from the homeowner.

Non-food objects present their own distinct categories. One family in Cambridge received small copper plumbing joints and stained wooden fish cut with a jigsaw. A dentist in Medford reportedly distributed metal tongue scrapers. Other items included a Tupperware container of green tomatoes, a roll of quarters, dollar bills in a red envelope, and a single adult-size ankle sock filled with hard candy mints. In a rare historical find, a resident of Arlington recalled that former President Richard Nixon used to distribute autographed photographs of himself to trick-or-treaters in their shared town in New Jersey.

Some homeowners have adopted these unconventional giveaways as long-standing traditions. Ronda in Newton noted that her family has distributed ramen noodles since the pandemic. Kids choose between candy and noodles, a practice that has become a local staple. Similarly, a resident of Beverly reports giving out Bibles every year. In Gilmanton, New Hampshire, a man handed out juice boxes to children and Bud Light to adults, a combination that prompted some parents to return to the house multiple times.

Reactions to these items vary from amusement to confusion. A parent in Needham received a jar of stuffed manzanilla olives for a daughter who did not eat them. Another family in Medford received a fruit bowl when the homeowner was unprepared, resulting in a banana for the child. In Newton, a man who was not prepared for visitors gave a child a can of tuna and a package of generic cookies.

The collection of items suggests that the standardization of Halloween treats is less absolute than it appears. Homeowners continue to draw from their own inventories and personal tastes, introducing elements of produce, personal hygiene, and finance into the traditional exchange. The next distribution of these items is scheduled for October 31, 2026.