Check out the new Surf Sweets Green Halloween party guide.

It’s packed full of great, green Halloween activities, recipes, games and more!

Reading about making yummy Halloween desserts not enough? Watch their “sweet” videos on YouTube.

We love Surf Sweets organic candy because they are better for kids (and adults) and the planet – but also because they support causes we’re also passionate about too, such as Treeswing.

Which lines do we suggest for trick-or-treaters? We love the Sour Berry Bears and Gummy Bears, both available in .9 oz sizes. Punch your zip into the search bar here and find a Surf Sweets retailer near you.

Surf Sweets is one of our featured vendors. To find out more about our featured vendor program, click here.

I just read a recent report that states:

One of the spookiest parts of Halloween this year may be the amount people plan to spend on their celebrations. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, consumers are expected to spend an average of $56.31 on Halloween, down from $66.54 last year. Total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $4.75 billion.*

I agree. That IS spooky.

But not because our Halloween spending is going down.

I mean, do we really need the $1.23 billion in Halloween decor, most of it made of unsustainable materials by people likely not being paid fairly? Does purchasing 1/4 of a billion dollars worth of Halloween greeting cards (most made from virgin trees) really make our holiday more fun? How, exactly, do the $1.75 billion dollars worth of petroleum-based costumes (which won’t be worn again) lend to meaningful memories?

The answers, of course, are: No, absolutely not and they don’t.

Celebrating green means putting people first and meaning before objects. It’s about having fun with the people we love most and about creating traditions we can all be proud of.

Do we really need all this stuff?

It is true that at some point, all of us will want to buy something, if not for this holiday, then the next.

So, what’s a conscious consumer to do?

Support the retailers who sell sustainably and ethically sourced products. Look for items that are durable and able to be used throughout the year and/or year after year. Let other retailers know that you’d like to see green and Fair Trade products in their stores, and when they do stock the items, tell all your friends. Support their efforts.

So, if you are going to buy this Halloween, use your dollar “vote” wisely by choosing products that support healthy people and a healthy planet, NOT the wallets of manufacturers creating junk that’s intended to be disposed of. (See “Story of Stuff” for a peek at planned obsolescence in the manufacturing world.)

And here is a tip: Before spending a single penny, ask yourself, How does buying ___ support my family’s values and vision for a meaningful holiday? What will not having it mean to me and my family? If I do buy it, will I use it year after year?

What do you think? We’d love to hear your comments, below.

Note from Corey:

GreenHalloween.org offers loads of great advice (if we do say so ourselves!) on everything from eco-fab costumes to healthy Halloween treats/green treasures to how to compost your pumpkins.

But did you know we have articles from experts who know cool stuff like how to stay healthy this Halloween with homeopathics?

Check out out the smart tips from a doctors, dentist, nutritionist, psychotherapist and more!

Want more answers? Let us know by adding a comment below.

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!