How to use all that Halloween candy (besides just eating it).

So, you have a kid or five and they went trick - or - treating last night, and now you've got so much candy in your house you're worried CPS is gonna come knocking. It's OK, they won't. But if you're a little concerned about the possibilities of rotten teeth, diabetes and/or post-Halloween hangover, never fear: I have some genius solutions for you!

P.S. -- I can't take credit for these ideas. I merely scoped the Web and compiled them for you. You're welcome.

1. Save the candy and stuff it into a piñata for a future birthday or holiday party.

Every year, Dill's family celebrates Cinco de Mayo (despite a glaring lack of Hispanic ethnicity. Oh well; it's fun). This is little Buckwheat having a go at the piñata earlier this year. I predict a lot of Dum-Dums in next year's piñata.

2. Use it to decorate gingerbread houses around Christmas time.

When we were first married, we thought we were so cute (OK, we were) and we made a gingerbread house. Ironically, we haven't made a single one since then, despite having not one but TWO offspring. Maybe we'll make one with the kids this year with all our leftover Halloween candy.

3. Take it to your local dentist or orthodontist. Some of them, like this one, will buy your candy off you and then donate it to the troops overseas. Pretty sweet idea, especially if you're kids aren't crazy about sweets.

4. Stuff your stockings with it for Christmas. It might give your kid a complex to eat pumpkin-emblazoned treats on Christmas, so try to avoid those, or just pray it won't turn him into a convict down the road (it probably won't).

5. Add your candy to other desserts. I've never known a brownie to taste worse after the addition of, oh, chopped up Snickers. Speaking of which, apparently Snickers Salad is a popular Mormon confection (which I have never personally made and was unaware of until 2008) involving Granny Smith apples, Cool Whip and ... chopped Snickers. Sounds like it could be a fun addition to the usual Thanksgiving dessert faire!

(Click for cred.)

6. Donate your candy to a school, church or other charitable organization.

7. Use it to make a creative candy card. Like this. Because, you know, you're worth more than "100 Grand." It never gets old.

8. Send it to your favorite blogger. AKA, me. ;) Nah, I'm just kidding. If you're totally out of ideas, just put it in a candy dish and let your guests have at it for the next ... oh, six months?