Be Green this Halloween

by Michaella, October 7, 2009 at 7:30pm

From one perspective, Halloween seems like a celebration of the worst of consumer culture: junk food, plastic costumes, and the gleeful accumulation of swag. Just like any other tradition, however, if celebrated the right way, Halloween can be about fun, creativity, and okay, well, some junk food. How can you keep your Halloween celebration in Great Pumpkin territory rather than crossing over into a high-waste cheaply-made plastic holiday?

The recession might be giving people a push in the right direction. This year many are budgeting on how much money they plan to spend on costumes and candy.  According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey consumers will spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween this year, down from $66.54 last year.

Nearly one in three consumers say the state of the U.S. economy will impact their Halloween spending plans. Of those who will be affected, the largest majority (88.0%) plan to spend less overall. Others say they will be buying less candy (46.5%), using last year’s decorations without buying new ones (35.4%), making costumes instead of purchasing them (16.8%), reusing last year’s costumes (15.8%), and not participating in as many Halloween activities such as haunted houses or fall festivals (26.4%).

Tell your kids that making their own costumes will ensure that nobody else has one exactly like theirs.  Mother Nature Network and Country Living provide instructions for homemade costumes. Or consider having a costume swap party with other parents and get some more wear out of someone's already-made costume. For tips on a healthier, greener Halloween for kids at parties and at school, check out Green Halloween Check out these upcycled decorating ideas from the Green Halloween blog.

Stuck on costume ideas? Look at CostumeIdeaZone.com for a creative jump start.  Green Halloween and Planet Green provide tips on how to host eco-friendly Halloween parties. Try Meetup.com to find or organize a party.