Finding just the right Halloween “goodie bag” is a cinch when you make one yourself (with or without your child’s help depending on her age and inclination), from items you have around your home.

This one is special because it’s designed to be used for many Halloweens. The front is decorated and the back is left plain. The idea is that every year it is used, your child can write her name and the year. By the time she grows from tot to teen, she’ll have created an heirloom.

The foundation is a giant can like the ones baked beans come in. You also could recycle a paint can with most of the dried paint scraped off. Paint the can or cover inside and out with paper or fabric.

Use your imagination when decorating the can. Your child’s stamped handprint, items related to her costume etc. can be glued on. Because the bucket will be carried around (hopefully for many years), try to be sure that whatever items you add will not fall off.

I’ve made similar buckets before, and always made a hole in each side with an awl to thread through wire or whatever for the handle. This time, I looked for another solution because I’ve lost my trusty awl. I looked around to see what I had that could hook onto the can. Eureka! I discovered one curtain ring that worked perfectly. It’s teeth held the edge of the can well and I could wind the ribbon and pipe cleaner handle through. Of course, it took me a few minutes to unearth the other one, but I think it was worth the hunt. (Do you agree?)

Have you created a clever goodie “bag” from repurposed items? Tell us about it.

(Orginally posted on www.CelebrateGreen.net/blog)

What’s even better than chocolate?

Free chocolate.

What’s even better than free chocolate?

Free, Fair Trade chocolate.

What’s even better than free, Fair Trade chocolate?

Free, Fair Trade chocolate for the good of others.

You’ve heard us chat up Reverse Trick-or-Treating in the past, but did you know that when you sign up to take part you get all the chocolates you need at no charge?

And we’re not talking ordinary Fair Trade chocolates (wait, is there such a thing?) we’re talking eco-yummy, ethically sourced chocolate from Coco-Zen, Alter Eco, and our own partner, Equal Exchange.

For more, go to www.reversetrickortreating.org (Please note the deadline.)

Add a comment below if you’re planning on taking part! We are!

Reusable (green) Halloween kit from Green Planet Parties.

Includes: 2 trick-or-treat bags, 10 flag banner, tablecloth, and 12 bat appliques.

I just received an exciting e-mail from iMa, the founder of a non-profit called Seeing the Earth.

She’s come up with an eek-o-fabulous “treat” idea that your kids and your Mother (Earth) will love: TREES!

Here is how it works:

Adults buy “tree coupons” (bundles of 50 for $6 at .10 a piece) and give away to trick-or-treaters in addition to or instead of conventional treats. For each bundle sold, 50 trees are planted.

Isn’t that sweet?

Here is what the coupon looks like:

Want more ways to celebrate Halloween while doing good? Visit this page and let us know if you have ideas for more.

We’re BIG fans of www.HolidayLEDs.com and of their lovely lights that save tons of energy (using 90% less than conventional lights) and don’t burn hot (so they’re safer to use around little ones, not to mention yards and homes).

We’ve recently added some of their cool purple, orange and green Halloween lights to our new marketplace and now you can grab some at a sweetly discounted rate. (But only through 10/5, so you’d better hurry!)

Use coupon code: GOBLIN09