Easy tips for eco-friendly Halloween decorating and parties

October 3, 1:45 PMSeattle Green Interiors ExaminerAmy Woidtke (woid-key)

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centerpiece and accent ideas

Suddenly, it's October and Halloween is soon to be on the prowl!  I've culled not only my brain but some of my great colleagues for your Halloween home decor and party needs!

Paper Chains and Streamers

• Last year, I wrote about paper chain cutouts.  You can make ghosts, witches, cats, pumpkins and whatever else you can imagine!
• Check out these fair trade skeleton streamers I learned about at Green Halloween.

Lanterns

• If you're hosting a party, line your walk ways and outdoors with glass jar lanterns. 
• Simply recycle your food jars (and maybe your neighbors!), cull your floral vases or head off to the nearest thrift store and pick your fancy of jars and vases there.
• Add a layer of rice, orange or green (or both!) lentils, pebbles...even dirt will work.
• Drop a tea light in, either battery operated or wax.  Battery opp is better if you have kids.  Purchase only soy or beeswax candles and use up what you already have of the paraben candles.

Ghosts and Bodies
Some age-old Halloween practices are actually very eco-friendly such as making ghosts and dead bodies out of your sheets and clothes.

Table Tops, Mantels and Porches

Gourds, pumpkins, apples and other items from nature look great as accents on front porches and table tops while also reducing the use of paper and plastics. (Cory and Lynn, Green Halloween & Celebrate Green)

Dinnerware

• Use colorful recycled and recyclable dinnerware from Preserve and Papertable.  Many conventional grocery stores are now carrying recycled and recyclable dinnerware, and you can compost your paperware. 
• If you want to go ceramic and glass, head to the nearest thrift store or yard sale and stock up dinner and glass, and silverware for a buck or less each!  Silverware is usually a few dimes per piece and they don't need to match, unless you really want them to, in which case, pick a few patterns you like in the bin and find the matches to each of them!

More tips from e-How on throwing an eco-friendly Halloween party here.

Here are some delicious Halloween cocktail recipes from the Seattle Kitchen and Garden Examiner.  Use organic products whenever possible.

Spread the Word!
If you're doing an eco-friendly Halloween, you might as well spread the word to your neighbors!  Let them know you're a proud Green Halloween® home with this fine door, window or lawn sign.  You can make or purchase it!