Skip to main content

Top Ten Tips for Creating an Enjoyable Eco-Friendly Halloween

 

All Treats and No Tricks for Those Who Go Green

As an avid recycler, composter, and green gardener, I use every opportunity to be green.  Halloween can be a bit tricky but offers us a chance to be inventive with our eco-friendly efforts.  Let's explore some of my favorite green and eco-friendly ways to celebrate this ghoulish holiday.

Trick or Treat Goodies

Treats don't always have to be food.  In fact, most candy packaging is excessive with a tiny treat packaged inside paper, packaged inside plastic, making most a non-green option.    As a retired teacher and gardener, my favorite choices are recycled bookmarks, stickers, and seed packets. 

Ghostly Parties

Halloween parties are a much better green option for serving organic, home-baked goodies in a safe environment.  Involving children in the planning, baking and hosting makes this an even more memorable event. 

Compostable Invitations

Begin by hand-delivering handmade invitations for those who don't use email or text.  Leftover scraps of construction paper make great invitations; inquire at your nearby elementary school.  Other options include using recycled paper or a small paper bag, which can be reused.   Please use markers filled with non-toxic ink. 

Boo...tiful Decorations That Won't End Up in the Landfill

The best indoor decorations are locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables, like pumpkins, gourds, and apples.  Also, peruse thrift stores with your children and allow them to use their imagination.  They may find the perfect vampire coffin.  Look for sheets—great to use as ghosts.

Seasonal Treats

The options are endless with my two seasonal favorites: pumpkin and apples.  Pumpkin ice cream, bread, cupcakes, cake, and smoothies are always a hit.  Moreover, who can turn down a caramel apple?

Locally Grown Treats

The best way to ensure your party food ingredients are locally grown is to shop at a neighborhood farmers' market.  If this isn't possible, check with your grocer.   

Think Local and Organic When Thirsty

Organic and locally made apple juice and cider are abundant this time of year.  This and pumpkin smoothies will satisfy everyone's thirst. 

Recycle and Reuse for Your Halloween Costume

Thrift stores offer the best costume choices.  With a little imagination, you can take an old lace dress and turn your little girl into a stunning, yet scary witch. 

Makeup

Non-toxic makeup can be made from items in most people's pantries and bathrooms. 

Try This:

For generic face paint, combine 1 tsp corn starch, 1/2 tsp water, 1/2 tsp cold cream, and 2 drops of food coloring. Stir well. 

For realistic-looking blood, combine red food coloring and corn syrup. Applying this might take a bit of practice, so allow yourself plenty of time to play with it.  Add peanut butter or coffee grounds to the mixture for more gore.

Compost

Compost all leftover jack-o-lanterns, fruits, and veggies.   

More by Rebecca

What is Labor Day and Why Do We Celebrate It?

Women's History Month: Who is Helen Hunt Jackson 1831-1885

Women’s History Month: Annie Bidwell (1839 – 1918) 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Grill Herbal-Rubbed Chicken Breast Perfectly

Look out baby, Memorial Day is nearing so barbecue season has officially begun        I bet this sounds familiar.    You are standing in the middle of your backyard drooling on the bucket of just pulled weeds because an enticing aroma of yummy barbecue wafts through the air.    Sadly, it is not coming from your grill.    The bad and good news of this tasty temptation is that I'm that neighbor torturing you with mouthwatering BBQ aromas, but I'm letting you in on some of my secrets!   Good BBQ begins in the kitchen Although not a food snob, I am particular.  I believe that the best 'cue begins in the kitchen.   Fresh food is a must, and it has to be cooked just right.  Moreover, whatever goes on the grill must be bursting with flavor.  Luckily, I have a prolific herb garden.  This won't rub you the wrong way Since I tend to lean toward Mediterranean dishes, specifically Italian food , I use homegrown lemons – also from my garden – and an herbal rub for my meat. 
4 comments
Read more

Food Review: Trader Joe’s Animal Crackers

Tub of Fun Found in Trader Joe's Animal Crackers If you are like me, every time I see a box of animal crackers, I relive my childhood years of drooling over a box decorated as if it is a red circus boxcar filled with exotic animals.    My favorite cookie/cracker was the elephant.   Therefore, when I noticed a tub --yes an entire tub-- of animal cookies on a Trader Joe’s shelf, I squealed like a little girl and promptly tossed one in my cart. As a fan of simple English style cookies, Trader Joe’s Organic Animal Crackers are a perfect fit for me.  They are crunchy, light, great with hot beverages, and shaped like animals.  What could be better?  Right?  The real surprise with these cookies is that these are not your typical guilty-pleasure snacks.  Oh no.  These puppies —or should I say camels -- are low in fat and sodium, vegan, organic and only 120 for 17 delicious cookies!  There are even tigers in the tub.  It just gets more and more exciting as I eat my way through
2 comments
Read more

Using Teachable Moments When Planning & Hosting Parties

Dear Rebecca, What do children and teens learn from their parent’s throwing parties ? Parent Dear Parent, Children of all ages learn everything from their parents.   They learn all their manners , which is basically how we treat others and ourselves.   They also learn etiquette, which is the protocol, how we behave, or how we are expected to behave in public.   So, if a child’s parents throw raucous parties with alcohol and loud music, the child will believe that this is what is expected at parties.   If the parents cater to their guests, treating them as special, the child will learn that he/she should treat their guests as special.   Parents are their child’s best teachers to teach him/her about life and being a good person. Pro-Tip Involve your child in the planning and preparation of the party.  Teach him/her how to focus on guests' needs. Most sincerely, Rebecca More by Rebecca Q & A: The Best and Worst Parties I’ve Hosted or Attended String Pasta Wit
Post a Comment
Read more