An
Eco Mom’s Guide to a Green Halloween
by Elizabeth Borelli, Nubius Organics co-founder and mom of 2
sweet little greenies
Another summer has come and gone, the kids are back at school,
the smell of autumn is in the air. As another crisp October
beckons, kids everywhere are repeating the age-old question “What
are you going to be for Halloween?” The answer wavers often,
sometimes even after the costume is planned, made or purchased,
but it’s Halloween after all and that’s just
part of the fun.
Fortunately
for us eco-moms, Halloween is one of those celebrations that
works well in green. It’s easy to switch from drugstore
candy containing more wrapping than edible contents to eco-friendly
treats. Do-it-yourself costumes can be a simple and inexpensive
alternative to their made-in-China counterparts. Of course even
with our best intentions, the double-espresso-speed schedule
that so many of us run on can render any new direction daunting.
It’s tempting to get sucked in by all the crazy promotions
and point-of-purchase displays encouraging us to grab & go
in order to save some time. But with a few simple changes to
hearken a more wholesome holiday, you’ll be pleasantly
surprised at what you’ll find.
Favorite Halloween Eco-Treats
Halloween treats don’t have to be individually wrapped
balls of artificially colored corn syrup – although
kids will certainly get plenty of those. Locally grown,
fair-trade
or organic candy makes a more conscientious alternative
environmentally. Small, sustainably-made toys are a
healthy eco-friendly substitute.
Halloween party-goers often enjoy all-natural or home-baked
goods even more than those overly sweet, questionable
ingredient-laden supermarket varieties. Look online
or at your local healthy
foods
store for some of our favorite treats below:
•
Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops – delicious and dye free,
they come in a large variety of flavors including lemon,
mixed fruit, peppermint, mango, watermelon, and pomegranate.
•
Plan
Toys Monkey Pencils – Made from reclaimed rubberwood,
these eco-friendly pencils are as cute as they are functional – a
kid and parent favorite.
•
The Ginger People Ginger Chews – You’ll love their
spicy apple ginger chews. Made from all natural ginger, a holistic
remedy for nausea, it’s the perfect holiday candy.
•
Endangered Species Chocolates – These delicious bite
sized chocolates squares are fair trade manufactured by
a company that
donates a portion of proceeds toward preserving animal
habitat.
Don’t
forget your reusable trick or treat bag! The Halloween Chico
Bag is a seasonal favorite.
Eco-Friendly
Costume Tips & Tricks!
Think back to when you were a kid and how the best costumes
were always the most imaginative ones, those last minute inspirations
pieced together with a stapler and glue gun. Part of the fun
of Halloween is in giving kids permission to use their imagination
and figure out a way to create their vision, then see where
it takes them. Depending on the age, they may need guidance
and
ideas, but it’s so much better when they help to create
it themselves from objects or materials you have at home.
• Host a Halloween Costume Swap: Invite some friends to
join you for a pre-Halloween potluck. If they have kids, chances are they’ve
got extra dress up, last year’s costumes or accessories
to swap. A perfect way to save money, go green and have fun.
• Used Clothes: Costume Shops or your
local Good Will are tremendously fun to visit for Halloween ideas.
Visit Goodwill for old linens
to make a fun ghost or toga costume. Dress them up with leaves
to show they’re eco. Other favorites: gangster, wise old
crone, clown or cat (cheetah print is a common Good Will find).
• Spooky Scarecrow: Over sized flannel shirt, faded blue jeans with
patches, rope for belt and to tie at the cuffs of his jeans and
sleeves, stuff the shirt and jeans with plastic grocery, or paper,
a little bit of straw to hang out of jeans and shirt.
• '60s Hippy: This one is hard, after
all its all back in style! What is real, and what is costume?
;-) Tie die clothing,
long wig
(in the old days we called a "fall", sandals, headband,
anything with fringe on it (vests, purse...) light colored sun
glasses.
As every mom
knows, it’s got to be quick, easy and affordable
to work in any color, green included, but when you can stay true
to the origins of the holiday without breaking the bank, it’s
worth a try. This year try trading pre-packaged for reused, recycled
and made by you. You’ll find an eco-friendly Halloween
more fun, no additional pressure or extra work - Go Green!
Please visit our Green Halloween section for more fun and sustainable
Halloween products you can use all year long.
