Did you know that you can go green for Halloween? No, I’m not talking about dressing your kids up as compost, but by making more environmentally conscious decision around your home and for your family this Halloween.
Did you know that Americans are likely to spend more than 5 million dollars this year on Halloween stuff, from decorations to costumes to candy? This is according to the National Retail Federation. Many of those purchases will later go on to find their way into the landfill. Some of the biggest offenders are plastic decorations and costumes, and all of that packaging for those individual bite size candy pieces.
Here are some ways that you can go green for Halloween, or at least lessen the impact that the holiday will make on the environment.
Decorating
Consider using natural and biodegradable decorations. Pumpkins are a natural choice for decorating for the season, and you can turn them into pumpkin pie when your are done, or at least add those saggy jack-o-lanterns to the compost pile. Look around for other natural items. Seed pods, leaves, nuts and other gifts from nature can make wonderful decorations.
If you like scary or funny scenes to hang in your window, choose decorations made out of paper rather than plastic. The paper is more easily recycled, and if taken care of, can last just as long.
Look around your home for things that you already have to use in your decorating. Candles in fall colors can make great decoration, as can a tablecloths that can be used to line a windowsill or serve as a backdrop. Black or dark colored sheets can be used for a haunted house.
Treats
The best green choice would be to make home made treats that require no packaging, preservatives, or extra shipping and handling. Or you might go with food that is in its own packaging, such as apples or bananas. But in this day and age, parents are afraid of home made treats. Apples might have razor blades and cookies could be poisoned. But home made treats might still work for the people you know well, your friends, relatives and good neighbors, for example. Many communities are holding trunk or treat events, and the kids attending usually you know and trust everyone there, so it might work in those situations.
Of course, commercially purchased treats are usually more acceptable, so if you must, consider handing out full-sized candy bars instead of a hand full of bit sized candy. There is slightly less packaging, and the kids will think they hit the jackpot. Or go with organic treats to lessen the impact through the non use of preservatives, pesticides, etc.
Would you like some more ideas, such as green costumes? Leave me a comment!
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog and caring for little ones in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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