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Decorate with Nature, and More Eco Friendly Halloween Tips

Elizabeth Seward

By Elizabeth Seward
New York, NY, USA | Wed Oct 22, 2008 05:00 AM ET

bat candy photo


Evan Sklar/Getty Images

Halloween's a favorite holiday of mine. Something about the crisp autumn air combined with the fun of costumes and candy always makes me excited. But with all of the individually wrapped candy and one-time-use costumes that go around this time of the year, Halloween can be a rather wasteful holiday. If you're looking to green up your Halloween this year, here are some tips:

  1. Make your costume.
    Use the fabric, cardboard, and paint you have lying around your house to make your costume. Last year, for example, I made a costume of a bacon cheeseburger out of cardboard and glued real sesame seeds to the buns. Everyone loved it! Be creative and avoid buying cheap plastic masks and other costume accessories because they cannot be recycled.

  2. Green your treats.
    When the neighborhood kids come knocking for the tricks and treats, make sure you have good treats to offer. Try to avoid individually wrapped candy. Instead, consider making your own organic fudge, candy apples, baked pumpkin seeds, etc. Sure, some parents can be weary about their kids eating things that aren't factory-wrapped, but you'd probably be surprised at how many parents would understand if you explained that you're trying to be greener.

  3. Decorate with nature.
    Autumn is a great time to use natural things for decoration. From fallen leaves to pumpkins, use whatever you can find in nature to decorate your home.

Be creative and have fun!

Read more about making your Halloween Green:
How to Go Green: Halloween
Buy Green: Halloween Candy
How to Throw a Spooky Eco-Fab Halloween Party
How to Put Your Face On A Jack-O-Lantern
Do it Yourself Halloween Cobweb From Cotton Balls
4 Easy Eco Friendly Halloween Tips
Make Your Own Broadway-Inspired Wicked Halloween Costume
Make Your Own Cheaper, Better Halloween...Mask
Make Your Own Cheaper, Better Halloween...Witch Costume
Make Your Own Cheaper, Better Halloween Costume
Make a Halloween Costume You Can't Find at Wal-mart
DIY Halloween Crafts from Maura Madden's Crafternoon

Also be sure to check out more hair-raising Halloween how-to's on How Stuff Works.

Read more about being green for holidays:
Your Post Holiday Fridge
Unclutter Holiday Decorations

 
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