When I was a kid trick-or-treating (before it was outlawed due to the apple/razor-blade urban legend) I would have been pissed to have been given a sticker or a card with a @#$ knock-knock joke on it.  Those are, however, great choices if one's goal is to scrape eggs off one's siding.

The best suggestion I've heard for the trick-or-treating question is simple:  cold hard cash.  At the time a quarter was suggested, but today 50-cent peices or even dollar coins (though a dismaying percentage of even adults won't recognize those as US money) might be appropriate (or  just two quarters).

If I were pressed to provide candy, I'd get the mini Chick-o-Sticks.  They don't readily melt, and unlike most chocolate candy, don't [appear to] contain animals.

My mom gives out non-toxic sidewalk chalk, which the kids love.  You can even make your own out of eggshells and flour, if you want.  Bottles of bubbles also are a big hit, but I'm not sure they're particularly enviro friendly.

Popcorn is a healthy snack...why not hand out organic microwave popcorn or Newmann's Own All Natural microwave popcorn. I handed it out last year and all the kids in my neighborhood loved it :)

Another candy/toxic toy alternative is packets of instant oatmeal...an organic version is Earth's Best Organic Yummy Tummy Instant Oatmeal, Maple & Brown Sugar, 10-Count Boxes.  You can buy a pack of 6 boxes on Amazon for around $22.  That is 60 for about 36 cents each packet.  Also you could hand out non or organic granola bars or non or organic packets of cheese crackers.

I like the temporary tatoo idea too...I think I'll do that along with whatever treat I hand out this year. :)

For the past 4 or 5 years I've been going to Gordon Food Service (or Costco, Sam's Club, etc.) and buying large boxes of 50 individual packets of hot cocoa mix.  One packet (serving) per child. The kids love them!  Last year, I overheard a kid remark to his friend as they walked up to my porch, "All right! This is the lady that always hands out the hot cocoa mix!"

When my boys became old enough to trick or treat, razor blades and poison was deriguer. I gave them home halloween parties in which a bunch of us like minded mothers put together a party to end all parties. Years later, when I was passing out goodies to children I found that the biggest oohs and ahs came from getting a pencil or wad of funny money or a bracelet that lit up. Buy a few not so cheap and intersperse them with the really cheap and you'll be surprised what the kids pick. There are lots of alternatives to candy that children enjoy over and over long after the candy is gone.

My husband still remembers the family that always gave out baseball cards at Halloween.  Like the hot cocoa mix lady, I think kids like the surprise of something out of the ordinary.

how about trick or treating for unicef - you can give the orange and black boxes with spare change to put inside.  Then the kids can continue to use the boxes as they go around trick or treating.  The kids get to experience the joy of helping others and a great cause profits.  It was one of my first experiences of helping others as a child and it made a lasting impression.  You can get the boxes free from unicef and from various stores such as hallmark