I don't know what age group you're going for, but one of my favorites came from my own Mom when I was a kid. She mixed up a batch of home-made pretzel dough and gave a lump to all of my little friends. We shaped them like Play-Doh, then she washed them with an egg wash and put on the salt.
While we were off having cake, she slipped them in the oven. Then each kid took home their creation instead of a goodybag full of candy. The other moms love not having all that candy, and the kids are so proud showing off what they've made. Plus it gets them into the kitchen doing Mom and Dad stuff!
