Celebrate an “eek-o-friendly” Halloween!

Celebrate an “eek-o-friendly” Halloween!

Halloween is a holiday heavy on sugar, not to mention waste, but what if it didn’t have to be? And what if a healthy and eco-friendly Halloween could still be fun?

It can! And it’s easy, too.

Meet Green Halloween^®, the non-profit, grassroots revolution sweeping the country, giving Halloween a child-friendly, Earth-considerate makeover that everyone can feel good about.

How can you help?

By making simple changes in your own traditions and encouraging others to do the same.

Which ideas on this list inspire you?

· Instead of giving away conventional candy, consider items such as pencils made from recycled newsprint, temporary tattoos sporting eco-savvy themes, or 100% fruit leathers. Even organic lollipops are better for children and the planet and some come in compostable wrappers. Dozens of ideas here.

· Instead of buying a costume this year, see if you can make one out of materials you have lying around your house, can borrow from a friend or can find at a thrift store. Or, participate in National Costume Swap Day^™ and host a costume swap with your neighbors.

· Decorate your front lawn, porch and home with items from nature. Pumpkins, gourds and hay are all great, green items that can be composted when November 1st rolls around. Ideas here.

· Save candy wrappers and instead of tossing them, turn them into treasures. Check the Internet for cool ways you can upcycle candy wrappers into bracelets, purses, picture frames and more.

For more practical, affordable and fun ways to make your Halloween eco-fabulous, visit www.GreenHalloween.org.

~Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter founders of Green Halloween^® and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net