Eco-fabulous twin brothers, Tristin and Tyler, show you how easy (and FUN!) it is to host a swap for National Costume Swap Day™!

Tristin and Tyler are 7 year old city kids who host their own series about having fun and going green in New York City called “Tristin and Tyler’s Tales from the City!” In each episode these mini reporters interview people finding unique ways to be creative and/or help the environment! Visit http://tristinandtyler.com and check out all of their fun adventures!

And check out T & T’s tell-all (about costume swapping) interview with us, here.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Put a blindfold over guest's eyes for an ooooey, gooey Halloween surprise!

To make any kid’s Halloween party a bit more fun and interesting, spice it up with a little game.  Set out bowls and trays full of different textured items such as, peaches from a can, jello, and yogurt.  Have each kid take a turn being blind-folded as you guide them over the table to feel out each type of food and texture.  I guarantee you’ll get an “ewwwwww,” reaction when syrupy canned fruits feel like brains and other disgusting images the mind can conjure.  Meantime, the other kids will be giggling and laughing at this simple, old fashioned game.  Once the blind-fold is off, the player will giggle at how their mind played a silly Halloween prank on them.

Blogger Laurali Star owns her own little shop on The Damsel in the Attic!

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

by Corey

We’re over the (full) moon! Excited to present to you the brand-new Green Halloween® Marketplace on the one-and-only EcoMom.com!

Not only are we thrilled to help the greening of Halloween becoming easier for parents seeking safe, sustainable alternatives to conventional Halloween products, we’re so very grateful (and proud!) to be EcoMom’s non-profit beneficiary partner. (15% of sales will support the Green Halloween initiative!).

Here’s some of the eek-o-fab items you’ll find:

2011 limited edition Green Halloween ChicoBag

Designed by the 13-year-old winner of last year’s design contest. (Your child can enter to have his/her drawing selected for next year’s bag! Info here). Resusable (and washable!) year after year; a new Halloween tradition for your child. p.s. If the bags show as out of stock – not to fear. New bags are on the way!

All-new, Mineral Based Face Paints from Terrafirma

You may have read Campaign for Safe Cosmetic’s 2009 report in which 10 of 10 brands of face paints tested contained lead, a powerful neurotoxin. Since up to 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into the body, lead in face-paints is a definite concern for many parents. That’s why we’ve partnered with Terrafirma to create the very first line of lead-free face paints that are bold and vibrant enough for your lions, tigers and bears. {Oh my!}

Eye-Ball (organic) Cookies by Beautiful Sweets

We just love these  adorably-eco, not too scary treats. Just perfect for edible decor. Kids love e’m, Mama Earth approved. We’d say the eyes have it this Halloween.

100% Silk Mermaid Costume by Sarah’s Silks

Costumes made with petroleum products (i.e. polyester and PVC/vinyl) may contain toxic chemicals such as BPA, lead and pthalates. 100% natural materials make for a safer Halloween and year ’round dress up.

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Love the items we’ve listed? Have ideas for more? Let us know what you think of the new marketplace! Add your comment, below.

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

by Corey

Remember when you were a kid and Mom made your costumes each year?

… That is until she determined that you were old enough to craft your own.

OK, so my first attempt at costume design left a little to be desired, but at least my get-up made a big impression.

Over the years, we’ve shared posts of our favorite handmade costumes, but now we invite you to share yours! Post your pics on our Facebook page and inspire others! Imagine the memories you’ll be helping to create.

Celebrate Green’s DIY Costume Round Up

DIY costume: Little Viking

DIY for Mom, Dad & Baby: Griffin Family

Goodwill Get-Up: Laura Ingalls Wilder

Celebrate Green’s fave picks for DIY costumes for grown-ups

… And one of my all-time favorites… This Adorable (upcycled) Owl Costume

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

Kick off the Halloween season with a

National #CostumeSwap Day Twitter party!

Save money, reduce waste & have F-U-N.

Hashtag: #CostumeSwap

Follow: @CostumeSwapDay

September 27, 2011  6-7pm PST

Get tips & tricks:

• How to host a costume swap
• Getting the most out of attending a swap
• Ideas for a waste-less, spend-less holiday that keeps all the fun

WIN: Great, green prizes from Kiwi magazine, Nature’s Path, Revolution Foods, Celebrate Green! and Angell Bar. (To be eligible to win, you must enter your Twitter handle in the comment section, below.)

Special Guests:

• Swap.com

• Kiwi magazine

• Green Halloween

• EcoMom Alliance

• Practically Green

• Celebrate Green!

Hosted by: The Smart Mama

How to join the party:

1. RSVP by adding your Twitter handle (@YourName) to the comment section below (only those who RSVP are eligible to win prizes)

2. Join or log on to Twitter

3. Follow @CostumeSwapDay

4. Use hashtag (#) #CostumeSwap to “chat” in the party and to follow other participant’s posts

Hint: You may find it easiest to use a (free) program such as Hootsuite or TweetDeck to participate. New to twitter parties? Do a quick Internet search for “how to participate in a Twitter party” and you’ll find dozens of tutorials.

RSVP by adding your Twitter handle in a comment and enter to win great, green prizes*!

*One entry per Twitter Handle. Most prizes will ship only to Continental U.S.; some may ship to Canada. If you are unable to accept the prize, another winner will be chosen.

National Costume Swap Day™ is a partnership of Green Halloween®, Swap.com & Kiwi magazine. National Costume Swap Day is celebrate the second Saturday in October each year – in 2011, on October 8th. To find a swap near you, visit www.CostumeSwapDay.com.

And check out our events page for more virtual and real-live events from now through Halloween, including a #GreenHalloween Twitter party on 10/13/11!