The Green Halloween Movement
Halloween pumpkins! Photo: Getty Images JEWEL SAMAD/Staff
A few years ago, while taking her then six- and two-year-olds out trick or treating, Colwell-Lipson was impressed and inspired by the houses that provided treats like bubbles and stickers as an alternative to candy. She thought it would be great if there was a way -- like a sign -- for parents to know which houses had healthy treats, so they could steer their children accordingly.
As she talked to other parents about the idea, it grew into a whole program. In addition to parents, local merchants started to ask for a "Green Halloween" logo to show that they supported the initiative. Soon everyone involved decided to make a local non-profit the beneficiary of their efforts.
The goal became to celebrate the holiday in a way that is healthy, eco-friendly, and benefits the community. You can still have fun, with costumes and parties, while shifting the focus away from gorging on sugary sweets, and on to helping your community and the world around you.
In 2007, with help from Whole Foods Market, Overlake Hospital and ParentMap Magazine, plus a lot of interest from other parents in the Puget Sound area, she was able to create roll out the initiative locally. It was such a success that in 2008 Green Halloween became a national movement!
The Green Halloween site has a list of activities to get you started and signs you can download to show neighborhood kids and parents know your house has green treats. There are ideas for events, and a fair-trade marketplace so you can get your ethically sourced "Hallogreen" decorations and costumes right there!
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