“In Their Expert Opinion” features three bloggers who bring special expertise on living a natural lifestyle to The Clear Conscience Blog. Each month, we’ll share tips and advice on how to live a little greener from a few of our favorite experts.

By Lori Popkewitz Alper, GroovyGreenLivin.com

          [Photo used under Creative Commons from vdrg dansschool/Flickr]

Halloween is a favorite holiday for young children and the young at heart. This last night in October is not only filled with thrills and chills, it’s also is a chance for family and friends to gather together to catch up, collect candy and show off their creative costumes.   

Although the big day is rapidly approaching, there’s still plenty of time to put a little green in your Halloween. Here are some simple, affordable and fun ways to make this Halloween eek-o-friendly:

1. Use a reusable trick-or treat bag. Use a reusable tote to collect your candy. A pillow case also makes a simple, inexpensive candy bag. Have your kids decorate the bag with their favorite Halloween creatures using fabric markers.


2. Support local farmers. Buy your pumpkins and fall decorative corn from a local pumpkin patch or farmer’s market. No Halloween is complete without letting the kids pick out their own pumpkins to decorate. When you buy local you are supporting the local economy.


3. Find a costume swap in your area. Organize your own costume swap among friends or participate in an official swap. A swap is a great way to recycle your old costumes and find slightly used “new” costumes for the entire family.  


4. Keep it simple. Every year I find myself getting caught up in the Halloween decorating frenzy. It’s tempting to add more and more decorations to my already overflowing Halloween box. This year we are planning to reuse what we already have without buying new. We might also tap into our own creativity and make a few decorations from scratch. 


5. Offer a healthy alternative. Most kids will reach for the unhealthy treat, but there could be a few that will choose the healthier alternative. In past years I’ve handed out healthy treats, pencils, stickers and toothbrushes (big hit with the parents!).  It’s also nice to have an alternative for children with food allergies.

How are you planning to green your Halloween?

Disclosure: The bloggers featured in the Clear Conscience Blog “In Their Expert Opinion” series have received product samples and compensation from Watkins, Inc.