We usually only get a handfull of trick-or-treaters at my house, so one year we handed out mini decks of playing cards instead of candy. They seemed to go over pretty well with both the kids and the parents.
(The cards were “go fish” and “crazy 8’s” type of decks, not the standard poker-style decks.)
I think the year I had no trouble staying away from the candy bowl was a year we’d stocked up on my favorite candy, I had one piece, and abruptly found that the company had changed their recipe to include something I was moderately allergic to! No hospital visit needed, but spending most of the evening curled up from the stomach cramps was more than enough to keep me off chocolate for a couple of weeks. I hate soybean oil.
I only get one bag of candy bars and when I run out, I turn my lights off and don’t answer the door.