19 Ideas and Tips for Creating an Eco-friendly Halloween

Halloween ranks only second to Christmas when it comes to spending money. After all there is the candy, parties, decorations, and costumes. Often the more you spend, the more waste you create. Why not find a few ways to save green and go green with our Halloween decorations, costumes, and celebrations.

19 ideas to create an eco-friendly Halloween:

Decorate for Halloween without buying, especially non-biodegradable plastics. Consider using natural materials like straw, pumpkins, leaves, or even take a nature walk and pick up acorns and pine cones.

Use reusable bags for trick or treating. My grocery store had these wonderful reusable shopping bags that are just the right size for trick or treating, decorated with the spooky signs of the season and I can use them again, long after Halloween is over.

Create your own costumes using these 5 Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas or if you purchase a costume use these ideas for How to Recycle Costumes after Halloween.

Visit thrift stores or consignment shops for costumes or costume ideas.

Many of the other items you make or buy for Halloween can be used again. We store them in the garage and bring on the fun when it's time to decorate.

No fright with these eco-friendly lights. Use chemical-free soy candles to set the spooky mood or light the way with LED sparkling lights. Carry solar powered or rechargeable battery flashlights.

Don't trick or treat and drive. It may take a lot longer but the walk is good for you and the environment.

Howling Good and Green Halloween Decorations

Creating a scarecrow is fun and eco-friendly. No waste remains here, as you use old clothing to dress your scarecrows body made with all natural materials such as straw. The clothing can be stored each year to use again and again and the straw stuffing can be composted or used as a plant cover for winter and reuses clothing.

Repurpose an old broom to create your scarecrow or witch. Place the broom handle side down into the ground. Using a glue gun and felt create the face of your scarecrow or witch on the straw portion of the broom (which is now the top). Next, take a coat hanger and "dress" it with your Halloween creatures costume clothing all of which can be taken straight from your closet. Hang the hanger around the "neck" of the brook where the straw meets wood. Close the hanger tight to attach it. Top hat, scarf, witches hat and you have a homemade decoration that is definitely "waste not want not."

Give your lost sock a little love. Create a sock ghost centerpiece using an empty jar or my personal favorite is a Pringles can. Slip the sock over the can, and add eyes and mouth with black marker. You can use wiggly eyes or even felt and craft glue to make your spooky ghost come to "life."

Create a ghost using a pillowcase. Fill the top with old t-shirts. Don't have any? That's ok, pantyhose, socks, or even newspapers will do. Tie some twine, string or even a bandana to create the neck. Pin on fabric scrap facial features. After Halloween disassemble. Nothing was bought or wasted for these eco-friendly Halloween decorations.

Family Fun Magazine suggests these eco-friendly ghost and goblins. Using an empty milk gallon jug draw eyes and mouth. Cut hole in back and insert clear lights from Christmas. I prefer using battery powered votives. They are safer, easier to use and I can use them over and over again without having to test my strand! Pumpkins can be created by first painting the jug with orange (non toxic of course) paint.

Just say no to buying crepe paper, metallic lettered signs or plastic banners. Use cut outs of newspapers or cardboard boxes to create your own custom made banners and signs. Cut out your Halloween message and hang the letters along a twine with clothespins. Or use strips of newspaper to create a spooky paper chain to creep around the house. Count down the days until Halloween by removing a chain a day.

Decorate your bar stools or kitchen table chairs using pillowcases and a little imagination. Using purple pillowcases, white or even orange you can create and decorate your kitchen, dining room or breakfast bar. Slide the pillowcase over the seat of the car or stool. Using craft glue and whatever you have on hand create your own spooky ghosts, pumpkins and witches. Each person in the family made their own special spooky seat for the Halloween holiday celebrations. Mine is a witch, using cardboard for the face, pipe cleaner for curly hair and black foam for a hat. Of course the eyes wiggle - it wouldn't be any fun if they didn't.

Is your pumpkin a "great pumpkin, Charlie Brown?" To make it great purchase from local farmers or the farmers market. Keep the cycle going by composting your pumpkin after the day is done. It's easy, simply chop it up and bury it in your flower bed.

Like these ideas and tips and want more? Consider Organic Halloween Candy for your little trick or treaters and decorate with these Easy Halloween Crafts Using Recycled Materials.

Sources:

Personal Experience

Family Fun Magazine