Combining a few of my favorite things like dressing up and ingesting copious amounts of sweets, Halloween in the United States gives us an opportunity to express ourselves in ways that would otherwise be shunned. It invokes the creative side in all of us, which can give rise to many amusing and impressive costumes and decor! However, it's also one of the most wasteful holidays of the year, with more fast consumer products, probably plastic, that are thrown out after the trick-or-treaters have gone. Here's some ideas how to minimize that waste, while still having fun!
1. Cardboard cutouts.
Remember that Amazon box you saved "just in case?" This is a time to use it! Cardboard boxes or any other paper scrap can easily be transformed into some spooky shapes to tape on the wall, or your mini pumpkin. Grab some paints, markers, or whatever you have to decorate any corner, wall, door, or lighting fixture. Just make sure it's out of the way of flames!
2. Thrifty costumes.
It's surprising how many costume ideas can come out of a trip to Goodwill, or any other thrift, consignment or secondhand store! Not only is it wallet-friendly, but you'll have a look that no one else who bought from a pop-up shop will have. Plus, it's reusing clothing that would otherwise be wasted.
3. Something borrowed.
Clothing swaps are becoming more and more popular, try it out! This especially works if you're doing a group costume. Plan some time to hangout and compare each other's closets and if you're in a dorm, make it a bonding event!
4. Bulk candy.
More candy? Yes. Variety packs are awfully convenient, but if you've got the extra time, try to grab up more of the same type of individually wrapped treats in a reusable bag. This saves that extra bit of plastic that contains the variety bags, which is immediate waste as that candy gets transferred into a bowl (or cauldron) to share anyway. Remember to use your reusable shopping bags!
5. Instant potions.
A quick D.I.Y. for any disposable bottles. Get some food coloring or watercolor to magically transform water into your very own elixir! Simply label whatever potion you have brewed, or not, to give these bottles another life. Some recipes require more ingredients than others, but with some creativity any brew is possible.
6. Reuse CLEAN Toilet paper.
If you wrapped any clean surface in toilet paper in your own process of mummification, go ahead and re-gather that and use them to clean the next time things get dusty or in case of a spill. Or, make sure they go in a paper recycling bin.
