I’ve been thinking green for Halloween for a number of years but didn’t even realize it. We rarely purchase new costumes and most of the time my kids just make up their costumes with what they have. They don’t require any sewing on my part so that is fine with me.

     As for giving out healthy or green items for Trick or Treaters we’re OK on that too. We haven’t had any kids stop by for a number of years. Not too many people will travel 56 miles to stop at our house and if they did now then they’d be disappointed because my kids like to Trick or Treat with friends in Grand Marais.

     How old is too old for Trick or Treating? That’s the question I struggle with. Kids who are short and look young can get by going a few more years than a 10 year old who looks 16. What do you think?

     Good luck making your Halloween Green! 

Green Your Halloween

It’s time for ghosts, witches, and jack-o-lanterns. Get some tips for a greener Halloween. For more great green tips all year long, sign up for daily green tips from The Green Life.Sierra Club online

Green Your Costume

Get Used: Instead of buying one of those cheaply made, plastic-packaged costumes at the Halloween store, hit Goodwill or another vintage shop equally rife with clever items and ideas. Renting retro garb is also green. Or swap costumes with someone whose getup you admire.

Trade Tired Duds: It’s wasteful to wear a costume for one night and then toss it, so think about how to ressurect previous years’ disguises. Accessories like wigs and hats can be reimagined to evoke a different character each year. But if your child is tired of that same old clown wig, swap it for a friend’s gently used superhero cape. Check to see if your community holds a scheduled Costume Swap Day. If not, consider organizing one yourself.

Make Your Own Make-Up: There’s no need to paint your face with frightening chemical concoctions this Halloween. Consult Sierra’s list of eco-friendly cosmetics and Blisstree’s roundup of green makeup to find products you can use for the haunted holiday and year round.

For that once-a-year, over-the-top ghoulish look, try making your own Halloween makeup. Find recipes for face paint from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and fake skin (for wounds and warts) from the Smart Mama. Want to see how easy it is to mix up some witchy makeup? Watch this how-to video from Threadbanger.

Trick-or-Treat Bags: When taking the little ones trick-or-treating, don’t supply them with a Halloween-decorated plastic bag or bucket. Those will likely be used only once, so choose a less wasteful option like a pillowcase or a bag that’s reusable year-round.

Healthy Treats

Serve Seasonal Fruit: When high-fructose corn syrup haunts most Halloween candy, what’s a health-conscious enviro to do? Keep the festive spirit, but lose the junk. You can throw some spooky dry ice into a vat of organic apple cider to make a great witches brew. Or munch on creepy apple bites and eerie eyeballs. For a seasonal craft project, consider a dried apple witch. You can also put your creativity to work making Halloween-themed carrots, celery, melons, pumpkins, and sandwiches.

Serve planet-friendly treats: When trick-or-treaters come knocking, fill their bags with organic, fair-trade chocolate. If you’re avoiding sugar, small favors, like eco-friendly stickers, make a good substitute for candy. For parties, serve vegetarian fare made with local, organic ingredients. For the adults: Wash it all down with a sustainable brew.