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Posts Tagged ‘costumes’

Green Dreams Are Made of These

Tuesday, November 26th, 2013

Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the calendar year—and for good reason!  For one day out of the year, it is accepted (and promoted!) to dress-up as somebody (or something) other than our everyday selves. Often, this involves investing in an ensemble that makes a brief nocturnal appearance and is then quickly discarded and forgotten. With just a little preemptive thought and preparation, though, this Halloween waste can be minimized (or even avoided altogether).

(I’m in love with these Jelly Bean costumes! Savvysugar.com)

Costumes can be constructed from wardrobe pieces that you already have or, that once acquired, can be used multiple times.  Perhaps one of the best uses of “old” children’s Halloween costumes is to simply keep them and allow the kids to use them as “dress-up” fodder year-round with accessories that can help the kid and  they can be find at https://bestbabyaccessories.com.  Encourage your children to dress up as princesses, ninjas, and cowboys through the week while they’re playing pretend.  Throw an impromptu afternoon tea-party and require your kids to come dressed-up as a make-believe character. A tub full of clothes and a tub full of accessories will store easily and allow for endless hours of entertainment on rainy days.

(Both of these adorable costumes would be perfect year-round dress-up fodder—buycostumes.com)

Another great option for retired costumes is the thrift-shop/hand-me-down philosophy.  Instead of trashing the goods, consider saving them for younger children (brothers, sisters, cousins, family-friends, etc.) or donate them to a local charity.  Not only is this a great money-saving option, but it reduces costume waste by giving an old costume new life. Inversely, this is a fantastic way to save money when looking for a costume—thrift shops, family members, and friends are all excellent, often untapped resources of second-hand costumes.

(Seriously—these costumes are too sweet to only wear once! Buycostumes.com)

Dressing up on Halloween is great—but why limit the fun to just an annual celebration?  Themed dress-up parties are a fantastic way to throw a birthday-bash, spice up weekend festivities, or unconventionally celebrate holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Valentine’s Day.  Costumes and accessories used in Halloween costumes can easily be repurposed for another charade!  Consider repurposing those zombie or pirate costumes and have a “living dead” themed birthday or a “swashbuckling Sunday fun-day”!

(How perfect is an UP! themed birthday party?? The Design Inspiration)

Repurposing Halloween costumes serves a plethora of benefits that extends well beyond the scope of October 31.  Dressing-up can be implemented in play-dates and birthdays to add extra pizazz.  Costume themed adult parties are popular within their own right, and give us another reason to bring out our ‘80’s hammer pants (like we really needed another reason).  Sharing accessories and outfits can extend the lives of costumes beyond the normal 6 hour stint, and in doing so, eliminate unnecessary landfill fodder.

 

Lydia Mondy  survived the trials in Salem.  When she’s not searching for eye of newt, you can find her writing about Halloween costumes and fondly remembering the 20s.

Photo Credit: Photo Pin & Creative Commons

 

What Now?

Saturday, November 2nd, 2013

Well it’s officially November, and we won’t be dressing up as ghouls and goblins for a while. BUT, that doesn’t mean all the healthy Halloween fun needs to end! Make sure your Halloween is green all the way through with these tips.

Decorations & Costumes

We hate to see those awesome ghosts on your door fly away, but they’ll be back!

  • Keep your decorations to use for next year. Those Halloween banners never go out of style!
  • Make sure to compost your pumpkin.
  • Keep that lovely DIY costume you worked so hard to make. If your child doesn’t feel like being a superhero next year, you can swap it in National Costume Swap Day!
Candy & Treats
Have a giant pile of candy lying around that is causing one to many sugar crashes at your house?
  • Why not conduct a candy experiment? It gets rid of that extra sugar and fosters a love of science.
  • Trade candy for a prize or toy that your child wants.
  • Send your candy to troops overseas with Operation Gratitude or the Candy Buyback program

And remember, take the time to talk to your child about environmentalism and everyday green living.

For more healthy tips follow us on Facebook facebook.com/greenhalloween or Twitter @greenhalloween

Wild Child

Tuesday, October 29th, 2013

Halloween is coming up FAST! Need a last minute costume? Here are a few animal makeup ideas for your little critter. These are not only really creative, but  foster an appreciation of wildlife! They are also easily paired with some solid neutral colored shirts or sweaters. Make sure to use a brand of lead-free face paint, or make your own with our recipe.

Baboon

From Crafthours

 

Giraffe

Super easy! And the little hair buns double as an accessory. Tutorial from Daily Candy

 

Lion

Design from HGTV

Fox

This face paint is great with a red fluffy outfit or a suit and tie à la Fantastic Mr. Fox? Here is the video from Marvelous Masks.

For more makeup follow us at facebook.com/greenhalloween or Twitter @greenhalloween

We didn’t make the Today Show but….

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

by Corey

… We did make ‘em laugh.

Despite the truly incredible media storm surrounding the second annual National Costume Swap Day™ – with print, television, radio and online coverage in nearly every major market across the U.S. – we thought this year’s national coverage was likely over.

We were wrapping up as Happy Campers. We didn’t make Good Morning America (like we did last year) or another major morning show, but we were pretty darn over-the-moon about getting the word out about costume swapping via Real Simple, Family Circle and Kiwi magazines, MSN Money and many (many) more. Our goal of 100 registered swaps was blown out of the water with over 170 event registrations in the US and Canada. Some events were so successful that second and third swaps were planned for later in the month!

And although Halloween is just 4 days away, there are still more costume exchanges in the works.

But because the official National Costume Swap Day was actually on the 8th, we assumed (yes, I do know what this means), that there wouldn’t be any additional major PR coverage on this topic.

But last night came a treat.

Er, wait – a trick.

And I’m not sure we can call this “news” exactly, but as they say, “No PR is bad PR…”

“Environmentalism goes against everything Halloween stands for: Rampant consumerism and waste.” — Stephen Colbert

And (to quote another quote), “If you can’t laugh at yourself….”

We can definitely laugh at this one. At least it’s funny (unlike this wet blanket editorial).

(Stephen, just wait until you hear about what we’re doing with candy, face paints and decor!)

(Rockin’ the “swap talk”: Ciana Maglio, our Green Halloween® coordinator in Daytona Beach, FL on Fox News Orlando. )
National Costume Swap Day™ 2011 is a partnership of Green Halloween®, Swap.com & Kiwi magazine

We all Scream for Green Halloween (NYC)

Friday, January 28th, 2011

2010′s Green Halloween in NYC was a screamin’ success!

Screamin’ Green Halloween” was hosted by Brookfield Office Properties at the World Financial Center in the Big Apple.

Eek-o-fabulous fun was had by all (6,000 guests in just 4 hours!) with recycled art, a costume swap, poetry reading, marching band, healthy/green goodies and more.

Here are a few of the fab photos (by photographer Andrew Federman) for more, click here.

And check out this HUGE promotion banner hanging for all to see!

Date: Saturday, October 30, 2010

Time: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

City & state: New York, NY

Event description: Green your Halloween at the World Financial Center! Join artist-educators for mask and costume making with funky recycled and repurposed materials, compete with other witches and warlocks in “Put a Spider in the Brew”, “Bowling for Ghosts” and a twist on the traditional “Bobbing for Apples,” and enjoy organic and fair-trade candy treats. Exchange last year’s costume for a new one at the Costume Swap, each gently used and ready-to-wear. Mini parades led by the Hungry March Band will take place on the Plaza at 1, 2 and 3pm, and the day ends with a Ghosts & Goblins Parade to Poets House for a reading of spooky poems and seasonal snacks. Ride your bike to the event! Free valet bicycle parking provided by Transportation Alternatives.

Presented by: Brookfield Office Properties

Event Production: Q+A Events and Production

Exact location: World Financial Center, 220 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281

Cost (if any): FREE

Event URL: www.artsworldfinancialcenter.com

Annual event?: YES

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.