Be Green on Halloween!

When I was a kid all the Halloween costume were made of cheap vinyl that ripped up by the end of the night. Now, more and more costumes are being made to last. All the costumes I have gotten my sons are made of fabric, washable, and definitely reusable. While this is a start, I think we could do better. I have 10 tips that will make your Halloween as eco-friendly as possible.

1. Create a costume from your closet or garage
I know it sounds hokey, but there are many great costumes that can be created using everyday household items and clothes you already own. Robin's FYI has some great tips for making fun costumes that look nothing like the bed sheet ghosts of yesteryear.

2. Make your own scary makeup
Why spend money for Halloween makeup that you can only use once (since it is usually melted or lost by the next year)? The Outdoor Sports Web has some great instructions on how to make your own makeup from non-toxic food items.

3. Keep on walking
I remember when my parents would drive me to the wealthier parts of town so that I would get better loot on Halloween night. While the immediate results may be yummy, this is not very eco-friendly. As long as it is safe, stick to trick-or-treating-on foot-in your own neighborhood.

4. Go with the crowd
If you got go somewhere, then go with the crowd. Many malls across the country offer a safe, indoor alternative for trick-or-treating. Stores throughout the mall will hand out candy for a few hours on Halloween night. Want to be green? Take public transportation to the mall or offer to carpool the neighbor's kids.

5. Skip the candy
I know this might not be a popular idea with the kids, but consider having them fundraise for a charity like UNICEF. The children will learn the importance of helping others that cannot even afford a costume, let alone go trick-or-treating.

6. Keep the treats green
If you will be giving out candy, then try buying some organic candy from the Natural Candy Store. Choose items with minimal wrapping or biodegradable packaging.

7. Hand out gifts that keep on giving-school supplies
There are many alternatives to giving out candy, including pencils, pens, bookmarks, and erasers. Check out The Ultimate Green Store for some cool eco-friendly supplies, like soybean crayons. You just might end up being the most popular house on the street!

8. Serve edible plates at your Halloween party
Well, maybe not plates, but serve items that are portable and completely edible. It can be as simple as crackers topped with crab salad or something more seasonal, like Mummy Dogs.

9. Don't forget to eat the cup!
There are many food items you can use to create your own edible cups, such as carved out cucumbers, melons, and squash. Check out this recipe for acorn squash cups.

10. Smashing pumpkins!
After Halloween is come and gone, you probably think you have to throw out you pumpkin. What if there was a way for your pumpkin to live on? I'm not talking about the after life; I'm talking about composting! Here's a great step-by-step guide for composting your pumpkins.

References:
"Curried Kasha in Acorn Squash Cups," Perfect Entertaining
Gaulin, Pam, "Smashing Pumpkins: How to Compost a Pumpkin After Halloween," Associated Content
"Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas," Robin's FYI
"Eco-Friendly School Supplies," The Ultimate Green Store
"Make Your Own Halloween Makeup," The Outdoor Sports Web
"Mummy Dogs," Southern Living
"Organic Candy," Natural Candy Store.
"Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF," United States Fund for UNICEF