Originally Published October 24, 2012  I love the fall- the crispness of
the air the beautiful colors of the changing leaves and of course Halloween! As a child I loved the fun of it all beginning with the preparation of a costume, and culminating with prancing to the neighbors to show off my disguise and take possession of a treat for my efforts. But Halloween has become a big business offering us bewitching lawn decorations, costumes in a bag, and candy, candy, candy. This Halloween let’s try to bring the celebration down to green thinking. There are so many organic and eco-friendly ways to keep the Halloween celebration earth friendly.
Decorations
Forego the manufactured lawn decorations made of plastic or metal. Natural decorations like straw bales or cornstalks make for a great fall look and are totally biodegradable. A straw bale arranged with a variety of pumpkins in different sizes keeps it simple and earth friendly.
Whether carved or not, nothing says Halloween more than a pumpkin. If carved, the scooped out seeds can be roasted for a delicious and healthy snack. There are also many food recipes that use the pumpkin pulp. Pumpkin pulp is rich in anti-oxidants and beta-carotene. It is loaded with vitamins A, C, and E, the same ingredients used in skin treatments. Yes, you’ve guessed it! Use it on your face as a facial mask. After Halloween the un-carved pumpkin can be used to make pumpkin soup. If none of these re-use ideas interest you, your Halloween pumpkin can be cut into pieces and tossed into the woods for the wildlife to enjoy or it can be added to your compost pile.
And of course keeping with fall tastes we can’t forget the apples. Baskets filled with apples make beautiful table decorations. Apples can be coated with organic chocolate or caramel and arranged in a beautiful bowl. Of course eaten soon afterwards! You can also core and dig out the center of the apple using the meat to make pie filling, apple crisp or apple cider. The dug out apple can be used as an edible cup to serve warm apple cider at your Halloween party.
Costumes
Why deal with the one-time use of a ‘costume -in-a-bag’ when it is just as easy and more earth friendly to make your own. Rummage around in your closet (or a friend’s closet!) for clothing articles that suggest another story. Or, if you are purchasing, select a piece you can use in your wardrobe after tricking the neighborhood on Halloween. Get creative!Â
- That long sleeve scalloped bottom tunic top looks like something to be combined with green tights and a feather in your cap to transform you into Robin Hood.Â
- Share the peace and love hippie style using those wide bottom lounge pants along with a floral bell sleeve top, sandals and a headband.Â
- Have your eye on that cute drop waist black dress? Get it and use it as a flapper costume by adding a long string of fake pearls, t-strap shoes and a roaring 20;s headband. Afterwards dress up for the holidays.
- A guy’s western style shirt is still very much in style. Think costume and add a cowboy hat, jeans and toy lariat to transform into a roping cowboy.
- Wide legged yoga pants folded up to the knees with a tunic shirt, sash, headscarf and eye patch takes to the seas as a pirate. Don’t forget the play sword!
Treats
Kids love trinkets! The treat part of Trick-Or-Treat does not have to be candy. Use your imagination and find eco-friendly treasures. Here are some suggestions:
- pencils made from recycled newspaper (1 or 2 pencils per child)
- beeswax crayons
- stickers from recycled paper
- miniature cars from recycled plastic (split package 1 car per child)
- children’s art notecards on recycled paper (one card per child)
- seeded paper cut into shapes with planting instructions
- miniature coin pouch from recycled materials
- things transformed from nature – i.e. acorns made into little people, recycled glass pieces strung on hemp string or bean bags made from organic cotton or hemp fabric pieces
- unusual small rocks or seashells (polished of course)
- small pads made from hemp paper or recycled paper
- eco coloring books
If you are steadfast on providing a food treat, search out organic and all natural items. Most candies are filled with scary food dyes and genetically engineered ingredients that will have you shaking in your costume! Avoid treats with artificial dyes, high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats, sugar, and chemical preservatives. Because of children with food allergies also avoid wheat gluten, peanuts, fish, sesame, dairy, and egg. There are many organic candy and snack companies now offering treats made with organic ingredients with no artificial sugars or sweeteners. Look for those made from organic fruit, organic chocolate made from cocoa sourced from certified farms, and candy colors obtained from organic fruits, vegetables and spices. Avoid any with genetically modified ingredients including genetically modified corn.
It Is Not All That Scary
With a little thought and creativity your Halloween activities can be healthy and environmentally friendly. Keep those decorations simple and easily biodegradable. Consider how decorations can be re-used or naturally blended back into the environment. Keep reuse foremost when creating your own award-winning costume. Use recycled items or items you can make use of after Halloween. When tricking the neighbors, use recycled bags, old purses or pillowcases to collect your treats. And for those Trick-Or-Treaters that visit you, offer earth friendly trinkets or organic and all natural food treats.
And remember to enjoy… Happy Halloween!
