Live Green & Help Save Our Environment

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Once a Celtic celebration of the harvest and a new season, Halloween is now an industry worth almost $6 billion a year. That kind of consumption brings a substantive carbon footprint and an environmental impact that lasts long after you’ve seen the last of those milky ways and candy corns.

Making your own costume is not only a great way to compete in the best contest competition, but also a great way to reduce your own Halloween related carbon footprint. Gathering up supplies from around the house is a great way to come up with a homemade costume. Simple makeup designs and hairstyles created with natural products can turn your usual look into a new look. When it comes to Halloween treats, indulge in and hand out Fair Trade and organic chocolate, lollipops, jellybeans, and candy bars.

If you live in a neighborhood that would require you to drive your kids around to trick or treat, consider throwing a Halloween party at home. You’ll reduce your carbon footprint and have a blast all in the comfort of your own home. Dim the lights to create the mood, put out some long lasting eco-friendly soy candles, and get the kids bobbing for apples, making crafts from recycled paper, carving pumpkins, having a costume contest that encourages originality and telling their favorite ghost stories.

When it comes to putting together a green costume for your kids or even for yourself, just keep it simple. It’s fun to dress up, and the simpler your costume is, the easier time you’ll have on the day. Look through old clothes, or wearing regular clothes in unusual ways. Turn tops or pants inside out, mismatch tops and bottoms or wear your bathing suit over your t-shirt and jeans. You’ll be surprised at what you forgot you had when you start digging through your closet. Another great idea is to check out second hand shops or consignment shops. You’re helping the environment by purchasing used clothing, especially since it’s only intended for a single occasion. After Halloween, you can sell it back to the store or pass it down to someone else to use. Finding ways to reuse costumes is great for the environment and your pocket.

A fun way to inspire creativity with kids is to challenge them to come up with a costume from materials solely found in the house. It’s fun, creative and good for the environment. It’s also a good idea to involve friends and trade costumes or ideas. Make it an occasion or afternoon activity to design everyone’s costumes together. You could arrange for a potluck costume party where everyone brings different materials from around their house to contribute, so everyone gets to make their costume with a wide assortment of materials.

With a creative approach, there is little need to spend money. You can reuse and find creative costumes that were sitting right in front of you all along.