1. Make your own costume – No need to purchase a costume that you will probably end up throwing out. Get creative and repurpose old clothes into a unique costume. An old yellow shirt can easily be turned into a Charlie Brown costume just by using some fabric paint to add the black zig-zag stripe. Old sheets can become a Grecian toga, or use them in combination with a white turtleneck to make a Princess Leia costume. There is no limit to what you can do, and focusing on materials you already have will force you to be more creative.
2. Host a costume swap. If you aren’t feeling very creative and don’t want to make your own costume, host a swap shortly before Halloween. Chances are that your friends are in the same dilemma and may have old costumes tucked away that they don’t want to wear again this year.
3. Trick-or-treat in your own neighborhood. Forget the car; keep your carbon footprint to a minimum and get some exercise by taking the kids trick-or-treating right near where you live.
4. Keep your décor natural. Pumpkins, hay bails and corn stalks are great fall décor items because they are natural, local and biodegradable. See what you can do with them instead of purchasing plastic decorations that were most likely made in China.
5. Give out organic candy. It is healthier and equally as delicious! If you’re not sure where to buy eco-friendly candy, you can always order it online.
6. Use soy candles. Whether you need a candle to bring your jack-o-lantern to life or you are decorating for a party, choosing soy candles will help lower our dependence on foreign oil since traditional candles are made from petroleum-based materials. Read our post on soy candles.