Money was offered to children during early forms of trick-or-treating in the United States and has deeper roots in medieval European “souling” traditions. However, nickels and dimes became a prominent feature of Halloween starting in 1950 with the launch of the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign.
The practice of giving money to individual trick-or-treaters generally declined in the mid-20th century as candy companies began aggressively marketing inexpensive, individually wrapped candy as the ideal Halloween treat. This shift was further reinforced by safety concerns that emerged in the 1970s, which led parents to prefer factory-sealed candy over homemade goods or other unwrapped items.
The historical precedent of receiving money for Halloween influences children today in two main ways: through continued charity campaigns like Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and through new financial literacy lessons that use the “cash vs. candy” tradition.
The legacy of the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign has had a lasting impact on how children can participate in philanthropic activities.
Expanding the impact: The concept of Halloween charity has expanded to other causes. Programs like Treats for Troops encourage kids to donate a portion of their candy to military members overseas, teaching a similar lesson about sharing with others.
Kids helping kids: For 75 years, the UNICEF campaign has taught children about compassion and generosity by showing them how their small change can help children in need around the world.
Modern campaigns: The iconic orange boxes have evolved with the times, now featuring online fundraising options. However, the core message of “kids helping kids” remains a formative experience in civic engagement for many young people.
