Pennsylvania’s Most Popular Halloween Candy Pick

With Halloween just around the corner, many children are eagerly anticipating dressing up and going trick-or-treating in search of their favorite candy. October has earned its reputation as a significant candy month as households and stores alike prepare for the surge in demand. According to the National Retail Federation's annual Halloween consumer survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the projected total spending for Halloween in 2023 is set to reach $12.2 billion, surpassing the previous year's record of $10.6 billion.

CandyStore.com recently conducted an extensive analysis of candy sales data spanning the past 16 years. From this data, they have compiled rankings of the top three favorite candies in each state. They concentrated on the months leading up to Halloween since people buy candy throughout the year.

According to the study, Hershey's Mini Bars is the top candy choice in Pennsylvania. It makes sense, seeing that Hershey's Chocolate World is in Pennsylvania. It also holds the same number one Halloween candy choice as Hawaii, Nevada, and West Virginia. M&M's, are the second-ranked candy in Pennsylvania, as revealed by the study. The third choice for the state is Skittles.

The candy website also conducted a nationwide assessment of popular candy. The top-ranking candy was Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, with M&M's and Hot Tamales taking the following positions. Interestingly, Candy Corn, the classic tri-colored treat, secured the eighth spot in the rankings, outranking Hershey Mini Bars and Snickers.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups claim the top spot in the candy preferences of residents in Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Wyoming. M&M's takes the number one position in California, Kansas, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Hot Tamales are the top choice in Minnesota, New Mexico, and North Dakota.

See the most popular Halloween candy choices in other states here.

Halloween is the time of year when spookiness takes center stage, and creative costumes rule the streets. It’s also the day of the beloved tradition, trick-or-treating. Whether you're a kid dreaming of a candy jackpot or an adult admiring the neighborhood's costume creativity while handing out treats, it's a highlight of the year.

However, you'll always find that one neighbor who likes to shake things up by handing out something other than candy. It's not always a bad thing, though. Some people do it for a good reason, like considering kids with dietary restrictions. But if you're considering going outside the box, you should avoid certain trick-or-treat handouts.

Let's talk about the Halloween horrors, the stuff no one wants in their trick-or-treat bag. First on the list are those infamous toothbrushes or dental floss packs. Halloween is the one night a year when kids can indulge in a sugar frenzy, and suddenly, you're handed a dental hygiene product. It's like being told to eat your veggies at a birthday party. Then there are the homemade treats. While some homemade goodies can be delicious, receiving unlabeled, homemade treats can make even the bravest trick-or-treater think twice; also, most parent's won't feel comfortable with that and may dispose of them. All of your hard work will go to waste! Safety is paramount on Halloween, and unwrapped or unlabeled edibles can raise concerns.

Another item to avoid is pennies. They're not even worth the trip to the store, and they make you question if you've accidentally stumbled into a time machine back to the 1950s. If you’re going to give out money on Halloween, make it worthwhile if you can swing it. While Halloween is all about surprises, pennies are definitely not the kind of surprises anyone hopes for.

Take a look at some of the worst trick-or-treat handouts for Halloween.

Keychains are handy, but they're not exactly the kind of treasure kids hope to find in their candy haul. They want stuff that's sweet, not stuff for keys they don't have. Save yourself some money and pass on key chains.

We all know cleanliness is important, but getting soap, shampoo, or hand sanitizer in your treat bag on Halloween is not what kids look forward to. It's a treat, not a trip to the pharmacy. It's like getting socks for Christmas. While practical, it's not exactly exciting.

Coins may have been an acceptable treat decades ago, but nowadays, they're seen as disappointing. Kids prefer candy. Or maybe small toys (if they're exciting/cool enough). Unless, you're giving away the big bucks, steer clear of this one.

Healthy snacks are great, but Halloween is all about the sugar rush. Kids aren't exactly thrilled to find a mix of fruit and nuts in their bag. They're hoping for chocolates and gummies, not something they associate with after-school snacks.

Adults may appreciate coupons for discounts at local businesses, but they don't make for a fun Halloween treat for kids. Saving money is cool, but Halloween is all about instant gratification. And coupons for discounts don't really make the cut.

Halloween is not the time to distribute religious or informational materials. Kids are looking for fun and treats, not pamphlets. Consider giving those away another day that's not Halloween.

Halloween is all about the candy, right? So, if you toss a toothbrush or dental floss into a kid's stash of treats, you're basically inviting disappointment. Plus, it's safe to assume that the trick-or-treater already has a toothbrush. Do they truly need another one?

Throwing unwrapped candy into a plastic pumpkin? That's just asking for a sticky mess. Plus, it's not the cleanest option. And given the concerns these days, it's just another worry for parents who fear someone might mess with their child's candy.

Those fancy homemade snacks that look like they came straight from Pinterest can be cute, but if you don't really know the kids or their parents, they might wonder about your intentions. Sticking to pre-packaged treats is your best bet on Halloween, especially if you're trying to keep trick-or-treating simple and sanitary.