“Hand out organic sweets this Halloween and be the hippest house on the block” -- Tip from Ideal Bite

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With Halloween fast approaching now is the perfect time to plan for new, healthy and earth-friendly Halloween traditions. We have collected some of our favorite green tips and resources to make your Halloween fun and eco-friendly, from organic treats and green Halloween costumes to seasonal and organic Halloween entertaining ideas. There are many ways to be earth friendly and keep kids safe this Halloween season.

Enjoy the best of the fall with a seasonal outing to a local farm stand to pick your own organic pumpkins and eco-apples. Take a family hike or nature walk, gather colored leaves, special shells, or many treasures of nature and use these eco-friendly sustainable decorations for your table. When entertaining choose eco-friendly sustainable decorations such as pure beeswax or soy candles rather than petroleum based options.

Serve healthy and natural refreshments such as organic apple pie or pumpkin pie and don’t forget to roast the organic pumpkin seeds as a nutritious snack!

Use these fun and easy tips to make this a healthy green and safe Halloween season!

Pass out healthy and green Halloween treats:

• Organic Halloween treats such as whole grain pretzels, honey sticks, healthy snack bars, mini organic cookie packs, sunflower seeds, fruit roll ups, 100% juice boxes
• Fair trade organic chocolate and treats – check out the Fair Trade Halloween pack!
  
• Organic and Earth Friendly NATUREPOPS lollipops made by College Farm healthy and natural and use 'green' materials (wrappers made of a fully-compostable material, bags are made from recycled paper, printed with water-based inks).
• Idea: Ask your local dentist if they offer a trade candy day - trading sweets for money is a strategy used at some dental offices. If your kids indulge in Halloween 'sweets and treats' remind them to brush and floss!
• Allergy-free Halloween treats – no nuts, preservatives, or artificial colorings
• Host an earth friendly Halloween party or get together as a community to create alternative Halloween celebrations. Check out these "Eeeko-Friendly" Green Halloween Party Tips from Care2!

Make your own eco friendly Halloween costume using recycled or traded materials instead of buying a costume. These costumes are healthier and made from natural materials which do not contain lead or other harmful materials. It’s more creative too!

Use safe natural make-up and face paint which is chemical free and will not irritate your skin

Trick or treat using a reusable cloth bag or pillowcase or recyclable paper bag to hold those organic treats!

Remember to be green and teach your trick or treaters not to litter!

Keep 'trick or treaters' safe using green "LED" or rechargeable safe flashlights and reflective tape on costumes.

Take special care to keep your pets safe from Halloween noise, candy, scares and pranks. Safe Halloween tips for pets from the CARE2 community.

Use green lighting and solar light fixtures on your walkways and stairs.

This Halloween, being green can save you some green $. Whether by making your own eco-friendly costumes or decorations, buying plentiful local organic food on sale, or giving out healthy snack treats to have on hand after Halloween, there are many ways to celebrate and save this season.
Here are five favorite money saving Halloween tips!:

1. Save money on Halloween costumes by making your own using reusable and recycled materials. It’s more creative, eco-friendly and saves $. Consider trading used costumes with friends and neighbors, or look for 'gently used' costumes at your local thrift store.


2. Create your own SPOOKY Halloween decorations rather than buying them – Put a white sheet on a lamp post that looks "Ghostly" - rather than buying and lighting separate Halloween lights or decoration...


3. Bring out those Halloween supplies that you stocked up on last year – or buy at great savings after Halloween for next year! Click here for more great money saving Halloween tips from Mommysavers.com


4. Buy seasonal organic produce (apples, pumpkins, squash, etc.) at a local farmer's market or your regular grocery market on sale given the plenty! Celebrate the harvest season by supporting local sustainable farming and save money by buying seasonal organic produce at your local farmer's market. Farmers Market Locator here >


5. Choose to give out healthy Halloween treats that you like for healthy leftover snacks for lunchboxes or “on the go”!

Share your own healthy and green Halloween tips at the Mambo Sprout's Blog