Chris Philpot
Your kids may be content with a few fun-size Snickers and tiny boxes of Nerds, but if you're looking for quality candy and lots of it, you need a PhD-level strategy. Don't worry, we've got you covered—we talked to a bunch of academics* to create this greed-is-good guide to landing more loot.
1. Choose the right town. Pick either a hard-partying city (San Francisco's Halloween enthusiasm is legendary) or the exact opposite—industry lore holds that candy sales are high in areas where alcohol consumption is low. That makes Salt Lake City, land of teetotaling Mormons, a potential boon.
2. Target the perennially festive. During the year, watch for blocks teeming with Christmas wreaths and Fourth of July cookouts: They'll be kind to trick-or-treaters too.
3. Run the numbers. Population density, street interconnectivity (cul-de-sacs waste time), and higher average incomes yield the best haul.
4. Rely on shame. Knock on doors that are visible from the street. Aware that their neighbors can see them, residents are less likely to ignore the bell.
5. Capitalize on pity. Research shows that empathy inspires generosity, so incorporate an injury into your child's costume—one-legged Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon, say—or, if you're diabolical, compel your kid to fake something.
6. Share the wealth. Use social media to share information with fellow candy hounds about successful routes, which houses are running low, and who's giving out the good stuff. You'll never collect a box of raisins again.
*Our Halloween Optimization Panel: Amy Hillier, assistant professor of city and regional planning, University of Pennsylvania // Shamus Khan, associate professor of sociology, Columbia University // Beth Kimmerle, candy historian // Robb Willer, associate professor of sociology, Stanford University
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