How Do You Have A Green & Healthy Halloween? (Giveaway!)

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How Do You Have A Green & Healthy Halloween? (Giveaway!)

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

by Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson, founders of Green Halloween® and National Costume Swap Day™

Looking for ways to have a green & healthy Halloween? Just apply this equation:

3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) + 3Gs (good for people, good for planet, good for community) = a green and healthy Halloween!

When you consider each component of Halloween (treats, costumes, décor, etc.) through the screen of the 3R’s and 3G’s, it’s easy to give Halloween a healthy, sustainable makeover, while keeping all the F-U-N.

Let’s consider treats, for example…

Reduce: Like many American traditions, Halloween has become supersized. So we suggest handing out less (you’ll save money, too). Instead of giving handfuls (now the norm), place a selection in a bowl and invite kids to choose their favorite. Or reduce the amount you usually hand out by 25%. Every little bit helps.

You can reduce the amount of “goodies” your family consumes well. Try this trick-or-treating twist: When you arrive home with your young children after going door-to-door, allow them to select a few of their favorite treats, then tell them about the Halloween Fairy who uses candy to make her fairy dust. Put all the remaining candy in a basket and set it outside the door while they’re brushing their teeth. When they’re finished brushing and open the door, in the basket they’ll find a gift or two from the Fairy like a parent-approved book or toy.

Reuse: We are not suggesting reusing treats from the year before! (Although if you stock up on “treasures,” to hand out instead of treats, that’s another matter). But candy wrappers can be reused to make uber cool crafts. Check out these runway-worthy candy-wrapper accessories for inspiration. Or just grab some glue and let the kids make some post-Halloween abstract art!

Recycle: Candy (as scraps from your Halloween party, jack-o-lanterns and natural décor items) can be composted. So if you end up with more than you choose to keep (or the Halloween Fairy receives an over abundance), just unwrap and add to your compost bin.

Good for people: Are the treats you choose to hand out healthy? There are so many awesome choices today that are made with real food kids will love. Try organic Jammy Sammys or Yo Drops from Revolution Foods, mini Larabars or Endangered Species “Bug Bites.” Check out this list for dozens of think-outside-the-candy-box, good-for-kids ideas. Of course, choosing organic and Fair Trade means you are making a “good for people” choice for the farmers who grew the ingredients in the treats as well.

Good for the planet: Once again, organic comes into play of course. Chemicals used while growing edibles not only affects the kids who eat them, but also the Earth that provides. Consider ingredients that are farmed with the least environmental impact. Choosing less-waste packaging, locally produced or handmade treats and treasures, non-GMO goodies, and treasures made from natural materials as other “good for planet” options.

Good for communities: When treats we purchase have a “give-back” element, it’s a great thing not only because we feel good purchasing it, but because we are teaching our children to consider how our consumer choices can choices can benefit our communities. So look for brands that support 1% for the Planet or any other non-profit whose mission you are passionate about. (As a non-profit program of EcoMom Alliance, Green Halloween receives a portion of sales from Surf Sweets and Recycling Is Cool!)

Of course, you can apply the 3Rs and 3Gs to costumes, décor, party activities or any element of your holiday.

Remember, the 3Rs and 3Gs are an ideal. Perfection is not what matters here. See what choices resonate with you and which work best for your family. Then, add one or two 3R and 3G actions to your Halloween traditions each year.

And remember, children can get in on the greening too! Try planning a family meeting and list all the ways your family can celebrate a 3R & 3G Halloween. Then vote on your family’s top 10 and give ‘em a try! You might be surprised at how easily kids will get on board when you model enthusiasm and make the process fun.

Want more easy, affordable and fun ways to green your Halloween and holidays and celebrations throughout the year? Visit Corey & Lynn at www.GreenHalloween.org and www.CelebrateGreen.net.

Learn more:

***

Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are the mother-daughter founders of the national, non-profit program, Green Halloween® and National Costume Swap Day™ and authors of the book, Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations & Traditions for the Whole Family. Connect with Lynn & Corey on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/CelebrateGreen and www.Facebook.com/GreenHalloween.

What are your tips for having a green & healthy Halloween?

Giveaway (CLOSED): Congratulations to our winner, Becky Reilly. She shared "My daughter is wearing a "vintage" Annie costume. That's a fancy way of saying we are reusing it!" Thanks everyone for participating! It was great reading your ideas on how to recycle costumes and other ways of celebrating a green Halloween.

Answer this question in the comments by Monday, October 24, 2011 at 11:59PM for a chance to win Revolution Foods NEW Yo' Drops and Snack Sampler Pack. Valued at $50, this sampler pack includes one (1) case of Yo' Drops, the first ever crunchable yogurt snack for kids. Yo’ Drops are simply made with certified organic & hormone-free yogurt that’s mixed with real fruit and freeze-dried into tiny drops. Prize pack will also include a variety of fan favorites from Revolution Foods organic lunchbox collection including MASHUPS^(TM) and JAMMY SAMMYS^(TM). Package also includes coupons, tattoos and stickers for kids.

For an extra chance to win, sign up for our newsletter and leave a comment saying you did so! We will pick a winner and announce it here on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.

Eligibility Statement: Contest open to U.S. residents. Employees of Revolution Foods, and Healthy Child Healthy World and their families are not eligible. Entry into the contest is premised on the leaving of a comment and eligibility is not conditioned on the payment of consideration.

Legal Disclaimer: These brands are Trusted Partners of Healthy Child Healthy World, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring a movement to protect children from harmful chemicals. Trusted Partners are companies that offer superior products that meet Healthy Child Healthy World's high Quality Standards, demonstrate a long-term commitment to their mission by joining their Trusted Partnership program, and contribute financially to the organization.

Posted by dina on 10/25/2011 at 05:43 AM

I also get the newsletter.

Posted by dina on 10/25/2011 at 05:43 AM

I reuse my decorations and bags year to year, a dragon costume I bought for my first’s second Halloween 8 years ago has been used about 4 times already and will be used by the new baby at least 2 more times.

Posted by ming ong on 10/24/2011 at 03:47 PM

I just signed up for email.

Posted by ming ong on 10/24/2011 at 03:45 PM

For 11 years, we have only bought 1 Halloween costume, which my daughter wear for a few years and pass on to her sister to wear for a few years, the rest of the time, we just use whatever in our wardrobe to make up pirate, dancer, or movie character costumes.

I only allow certain chocolates for occasional treats and all the rest goes to our dentist that have a candy-buy-back program right after Halloween to exchange for cash. Good thing that my girls love cash :)

Posted by Jeannine m on 10/24/2011 at 08:52 AM

get newsletter

Posted by Jeannine m on 10/24/2011 at 08:52 AM

we make our costumes and use reuabel bags

Posted by Maggie Smith on 10/24/2011 at 03:22 AM

My son is allowed to pick 5 pieces of candy to keep from his entire stash and then the rest is given to the Candy Fairy who, in turn, leaves a toy in its place. This may not be entirely green but it helps keep him healthy which cuts down on doctor’s visits and my carbon footprint!

Posted by Eva on 10/23/2011 at 07:51 PM

We are getting our pumpkin at a nearby farm and we’ll buy only fair trade and organic Halloween candies. We bought parts of the costume but made the accessories. After Halloween, we’ll donate the costume.

Posted by Donna Williams on 10/23/2011 at 06:57 PM

We are re-using old costumes, and handing out organic gluten free treats

Posted by louise brown on 10/23/2011 at 01:15 PM

would love to win

Posted by Ingrid on 10/23/2011 at 12:54 PM

I go to my sister’s party & bring healthy treats I buy in bulk to hand out to kids.

http://fit-twist.blogspot.com

Posted by Stefanie Schmidt on 10/21/2011 at 11:29 PM

My tips for having a green Halloween are to reuse costumes each year, or use things around your house to make your costume. It is also fun to get together with friends for a costume swap. For your treat bags, use reusable shopping bags, and I love to give out items kids can use like pencils or erasers rather than sugar filled treats.

Posted by Tanya Mack on 10/21/2011 at 07:50 PM

Best Haloween Tips:

-We never buy costumes, we just use the dress-up stuff we already have, or stretch our creative minds and come up with something fun! If ever we have to buy a costume, it’ll be a trip to the second hand store. =)

-Instead of handing out the average dye-infused sugar bombs so prevelent in Haloween candy, we opt for Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops, Annies Oganic Bunny Fruit Snacks, mini-play dough canisters, crayons with favorite characters on them, or little craft sets.

-Not giving our kids candy, or trying to talk them out of a huge pail of hard-earned candy in exchange for a toy, isn’t really a working idea for everyone. Instead, we put the candy out of reach and dole it out evenly, and mostly as rewards (“Did you put your shoes away?” “Did you pick your toys up?” ) We usually have candy til’ spring, and it eventually is forgotten over the holidays… then it goes missing. ;)

-For our younger kids, walking around in cold, sometimes wet October weather is just not a great time. Instead we let them trick-or-treat at their Great-Great-Grandmother’s nursing home, at the mall, or other local stores. It’s warm, well-lit, dry, generally at a decent hour, and best of all we don’t hafta cover up those wonderful costumes with coats! =D Win!!

And, I always get the HCHW newsletters. =)

Posted by Jamie V on 10/21/2011 at 07:04 PM

In the past, I have gone to the thrift store for costumes. This year, my son wanted to be Superman. So I bought him a Superman tshirt (which he can wear all winter long) and the blue pants were part of a pajamas set he can wear all winter.

Also, our pumpkins came from a local farm.

Posted by Vickie on 10/21/2011 at 05:14 PM

We love to grow several pumpkins in our small front yard. We save the seeds from year to year to plant. The pumpkins are natural, organic Halloween decorations that the whole neighborhood gets to enjoy!

Posted by Amanda on 10/21/2011 at 04:56 PM

Buy miniature containers of play dough to give away as an alternative to candy. It is also funny to watch the faces of the kids that are too old to be trick or treating receive play dough : )

Posted by Suzan on 10/21/2011 at 04:50 PM

I also signed up for your newsletter! Great info, thanks!

Posted by Suzan on 10/21/2011 at 04:48 PM

It can be tough being green for Halloween especially with all the candy and treats wrappers filling up our garbage cans! But I think besides reusing costumes or swapping them, you can hand make it. Most costumes are made from polyster which is a horrible material and if you hand make the costume you can be creative and use recyclable materials and even cotton.

Posted by Becky on 10/21/2011 at 04:34 PM

My daughter is wearing a “vintage” Annie costume. That’s a fancy way of saying we are reusing it!

Posted by Julie M. on 10/21/2011 at 01:47 PM

I will have to say we are reusing costumes also. They are ones we made ourselves. I am also careful to use safe cosmetics on my child’s face & I avoid the ones from China that have lead in them (but don’t say they do).

We don’t allow our child to have any candy that is made with dangerous food colors, either.

Posted by Nicole on 10/21/2011 at 01:22 PM

We have a Halloween party every year, so we reuse everything and try to put the focus on the activities and not the “stuff” (Pin the Eye on the Monster, apple bobbing, beanbag toss and a craft. Might also add a “photo booth” this year. In terms of the day itself, we only trick or treat on our street and try not to go overboard with what we hand out (and we can save any excess party stuff for next year).

Posted by Danielle on 10/21/2011 at 12:12 PM

I have 4 children so Halloween can get expensive… and wasteful! I like to recycle costumes, sometimes even trading them with friends to mix it up a bit :) My kids LOVE trick-or-treating but Mommy doesn’t LOVE sugared up kids! Last year I had them pick 5 pieces of candy each and then stuck the rest in a bowl outside for the late night neighborhood kids! I WISH I could do the same with all the Easter candy Grandma brings over :/

Posted by Jody on 10/21/2011 at 12:02 PM

Always make our own costumes, using either misc. clothing we have OR rummaging thru second hand stores. they look so much better than the ones you buy!

Posted by Michelle on 10/21/2011 at 11:47 AM

We have 2 children, I usually Borrow a costume ( our pumpkin costume has been used by 8 children in our family alone!!) or in the very least buy only one at the consignment shop. We grew our own organic pumpkins, and bought fair trade, organic lollipops to hand out. Plus we walk into out little town and trick or treat our way back instead of driving….

Posted by Kellie O on 10/21/2011 at 11:26 AM

We make our costumes and we give out prizes that are safe for the environment instead of candy.

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