Save Money and Go Green This Halloween
Did you know you could make money this Halloween? Check out these quick tips and ideas to have a frightfully thrifty and creative Halloween!
To brew up a fantastic Halloween, the recipe is simple:
Costumes – Reuse, re-purposed, or made from reused items
Food – Focus on healthier and organic treats Decorations – Reusable or recyclable
Activities – Games, trick or treating with emphasis on the ‘treats’ & “tricks”
Costumes are where you can get creative! Use your imagination and make costumes from what you already have, borrow from a friend, or go to a thrift store. This time of year second hand stores have all their Halloween merchandise displayed and ready to be put to use. TerraCycle is sponsoring the Monster Mash Your Trash Costume Contest. Terra Cycle is encouraging us to learn in a hands-on way how every day waste materials can be reused into unique, innovative products. Enter your upcycled costume by November 4th and you could be one of four contestants to win a gift card for cool TerraCycle upcycled products.
This year think outside the wrapper. Once you decide on your costume it is all about candy, candy, candy and more candy. Halloween is great time to introduce kids (and adults) to healthier and organic treats. Some of my kid’s favorites are Florida’s Natural organic fruit snacks. Honestly, they are like candy and it is a treat kids (and adults) will enjoy beyond Halloween. Many health care providers, especially dentists, participate in the Halloween Candy Buy Back program. Basically, healthcare providers will pay you cash for you candy or in exchange for your candy they will give you a free gift. In turn, the candy is donated to charitable organizations such as Operation Gratitude. My dentist pays $1/per pound. That is easily $5 to $10 for the family, plus the candy is distributed to a good cause. We all win!
Halloween decorations set the mood for a spooky, fun or festive environment. Like costumes, use your imagination to create an original and sustainable atmosphere. Reuse your decorations from last year, or re-purpose décor items to make original works of art. Halloween also ushers in the Fall and it is easy to decorate with “edible” decorations. The natural palate of autumn’s rich, warm colors of fruits, leaves and winter squashes make for interesting and fun crafts and décor.
Now it’s time to let the fun begin. Activities and games of trick or treating can be engaging and memorable. This year, when you get the knock on the door, and hear the words “Trick or Treat!” think about doing a “trick”. Now is the time to brush up on your magic tricks. There are several simple and fun card or hat tricks that will give your visitors a unforgettable moment along with their treat.
Share your green and money saving tips to create a memorable 2011 Halloween!
