Halloween, is fast approaching, when the neighboring ghosts, goblins, princesses and superheroes appear at the door demanding “trick or treat.”  An ancient holiday, Halloween is believed to have originated from the old Celtic celebration called Samhain, pronounced “sow in.”   This feast of the dead, marked the end of summer and the end of harvest in the British Isles.  Later the traditions became mixed with the Catholic holiday All Soul’s Day, leading to our modern secular customs.

So what’s so green about Halloween?  Well for openers, according to a survey by BIGresearch, it is anticipated that in the U.S. we will spend about 3.12 billion (BILLION) dollars this year on candy, costumes, and decorations resulting in tons of plastic packaging, candy wrappers and paper party decorations winding up in our landfills.  Also, consider that children are getting diabetes at an earlier and earlier age and it seems clear that bagsful of commercial candy are not the healthiest “treat” we could be giving them.

How do we make Halloween greener?

If you are hosting a party buy fresh, local produce.  Pumpkins and apples are at their prime right now.  Feature a pumpkin-based entrée.  Any recipe that features winter squash will work for pumpkin as well, and can even incorporate apples.  Pumpkin soup, stew or curry can be served in a hollowed out pumpkin centerpiece.  Make homemade treats, such as popcorn party mix (www.bellybytes.com), fruit leather, pumpkin cupcakes, and toasted pumpkin seeds.  Serve apple cider from our local Burrville Cider Mill.  

Send invitations via email, rather than snail mail.  There are several websites with free Halloween greeting cards, such as www.Care2.com and www.castlemountain.com.   Or print out invitations on recycled printer paper, cut them out in a large pumpkin shape and have your kids color them to be hand delivered.  

Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils.  Buy orange or green fabric for napkins and a table covering.  For quick napkins, cut out the fabric according to the size you want, sew two rows of continuous stitching around the napkin about one half inch from each edge and let the fabric have a raveled edge.  Let your children decorate them with fabric paints, available from JoAnns or Michaels. Iron to set the paint.  Make a pumpkin or ghost piñata out of a balloon and strips of newspaper. (www.ehow.com).   Tell pumpkin jokes and make up games, like pin the hat on the witch.  If you are decorating with lights, consider using led lights, which consume 90% less electricity.

Use your imagination to create unique Halloween costumes.  Check out Impossible Dream or The Salvation Army for costumes, props, interesting hats and accessories.  For a link to a list of homemade costume ideas to get you started, plus a recipe for home made face paint go to: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/feature/green2009/09/green_your_halloween.html.  

What about treats for all those trick-or-treaters who arrive at your door expecting to collect bagsful of candy?  Although it can be a challenge to find, there are organic candies available, such as Sundrops, candy coated chocolate, a natural M & M alternative.  Honey sticks and fruit leathers are available online from Stash Tea and Stretch Island Fruit Leather, respectively and in health food stores.  Give out individual microwave popcorn packs from a company such as Newman’s Own.  

Non-candy options include tree coupons, which you can buy in bundles of 50 or 100 @10cents each and give out with or without candy.  For each coupon a tree will be planted.  Individual small packages of nuts are also an option, as is giving each child a shiny new dime.  One of my neighbors, a dentist, gives out toothbrushes.  You wouldn’t believe what a hit these are.  Every year I see generous teens collecting for UNICEF.

In making a change from traditional Halloween treats, it’s important to talk with your children.  Let them know why it’s important to you and to their health and that of the environment.  Get them involved in a conservation effort such as Bat Conservation International, where they can learn the importance of these pollinators and insect eaters  that are declining worldwide.  At www.batcon.org you will find directions for building a bat house.   Show them that they can make a difference.  Pre-teens and teenagers, especially will respond to this.  Get involved as a family.  Most of all make it fun.  Show them how they are not losing sweets, but gaining something better for themselves and for the environment.

Your turn:  What’s one way you plan to have a green Halloween this year?

References and Inspirations:

www.guy-sports.com/humor/halloween/halloween_jokes_pumpkin.htm - Clean pumpkin jokes.

www.epicurious.com - pumpkin recipes.

www.bellybytes.com - healthy popcorn recipes.

www.nunoorganic.com - water-based face painting pencils.

www.greenplanetparties.com - sustainable decorations, tableware and goodie bags.

www.seedingthenewearth.org - “Trees for Treats” coupons.

Next week:  Eating less beef.