6 Eco-friendly Halloween Decoration Ideas
The scariest thing about Halloween isn’t the ghosts and goblins… it is the costumes and décor. But it doesn’t have to be with these eco-friendly Halloween decoration ideas.
I absolutely love Halloween. Second to Thanksgiving, it is my favorite holiday. Halloween is the second most decorated holiday of the year (I’m sure you guessed it, Christmas is the first).
And, now that I have kids who love to see the decorations and want all of the ghosts and goblins, witches and “lacas” (skeletons to us!) it is even more fun and festive.
But… I hate looking around and seeing all of the waste and pollution. Between the disposable plastic decorations, the petroleum-based masks and one-time wear costumes, and the individually wrapped candy, there is an enormous environmental impact.
It doesn’t have to be. You make or buy so many creative, beautiful, and CHEAPER (think Gourds!) than your traditional store-bought decorations.
Here are 6 eco-friendly Halloween Decoration Ideas that are just as spooky and fun (maybe even more so because of the creativity!).
If you’re interested in simple ways to make your Halloween custome eco-friendly, take a look here.
6 Eco-Friendly Halloween Decoration Ideas:
1. Keep it simple
Our little ones are small enough that they don’t seem to mind the difference between our simple decorations and some of our neighbors over the top Halloween looks. This is probably the last year for that, so I will come up with something else next year! But, for this year, we are able to keep it minimal.
I understand that older kids want to get into the spirit, and may have specifics ideas about what a Halloween house should look like. But there are fun ways to do that with them as well, including getting them involved in some of the DIY decorations (a few that we’ve tried… see below).
Halloween doesn’t have to (shouldn’t) be an over the top extravaganza of plastic and waste. Take a step back, take a look at what you have in your home already, and upcycle, DIY, and repurpose your way to ethical and eco-friendly Halloween decorations
2. Pumpkins and gourds and corn, Oh My!
Aside from decoarations you already have, Pumpkins are probably the easiest and eco-friendliest decorations.
Head over to your local farmer’s market or farm and pick up as many organic and local ones as you can load up on and you have a full set of decorations.
Get creative with how you carve, paint (use a plant based, biodegradable paint), cover them and you could be done with your decorations. Roast up the seeds for a great snack and topping!
Last year, I bought a bunch of spiral eucalyptus, a few pumpkins, and the best gourd I’ve seen this year, for our tablescape (total = $14) from our farmer’s market. Everything else was found in my house. We have a huge century plant in the backyard that I use for almost every tablescape, grabbed some cheesecloth that was falling apart, and some shredded paper that came with a gift.
We will paint a few pumpkins later on in the month once we go to the pumpkin patch, using our eco-kids finger paint. The paint is completely plant based, so your pumpkins are still compostable (and if your little ones are still putting things in their mouths, they aren’t harmful).
A few other plant-based eco-friendly Halloween decoration ideas:
When the holiday is over, the pumpkins can then be painted bright red, green, and metallic for gorgeous Christmas decorations (if you live in a climate that will let them keep, we do not, but my mom does this every year, and they are gorgeous!). But try to get a plant-based paint, so you are able to compost when you’re done.
3. DIY with stuff you have around the house
Just like with Halloween costumes (link), getting creative and using items already found in your home can be so festive. You can make a sheet ghost or mummy for your lawn, interesting wreaths, any number of spooky vase and jar tablescapes or a few of my favorites:
When my brother was about 3, and had outgrown a camo outfit and jeans, my mom made a scarecrow out of it. It is so cute, and so reminiscent of him at that age. It is also a great way to keep old clothes that can’t be donated because of condition out of a landfill. The Spruce Crafts has a pretty detailed, and great example, how to, but it’s pretty easy. Just stuff and button and there you go! And, if you’re reading this, you likely have kids and with kids… lots of old clothes!
Paint a few of the bottles already in your recycle bin to make spooky apothecary or character bottles and candlesticks, and enjoy the self-care of finishing off that bottle of wine!
Our Ghosts:
Just a century plant from the yard (that needed trimming), some paint, and a little creativity!
4. Thrift it
Just like you can find great costumes at Goodwill, you can find so many great, or ready to be made great decorative items there as well. Think old frames that can be painted gothic. Candles, and ghost and skeleton parts. Or spooky candlesticks in different sizes, painted the same color, or haunted figurines. All at a fraction of the price and with very little environmental impact. Just head to your local thrift shop with an open mind (and a tiny budget), and see what you find. Many shops, including Southern California Goodwills, have a dedicated Halloween “Bootique.”
5. Think Reusable
The biggest problem with most of the Halloween decor is that it is not only plastic, but also disposable. Halloween is happening next year, right? So why not think long term. Felt pumpkins, cheesecloth spider webs, and glass apothecary bottles all can add a bit of spookiness, year after year.
The possibilities are endless. Just browse Pinterest for a few minutes, and not only will you get some eco-friendly Halloween decoration ideas, but are also MUCH CHEAPER than traditional store bought decorations.
6. Let Other People Do the Decorating For You!
As, I mentioned, our preschooler is noticing some of the decor around town. And he loves it. He also asks if we can have the same spooky ghosts, pirate skeletons, inflatable ghosts, and other over the top decorations.
Beyond the environmental impact, I just don’t have the time or energy (especially this year. Thank you 2020 for being spooky enough as is!). But, many of our neighbors do. So, we have made a game out of finding the best Halloween houses. An incredibly eco-friendly Halloween decoration idea? One that we enjoy from afar!
A few times a week, I take the kids to a special Halloween house and we admire their decorations. It takes a little effort (and a notebook in the car) to make sure I can find some of the the coolest houses. But the kids love it!
Most of us do this during the holidays, but why not for Halloween. It keeps the decorations minimal at home, but give the kids something novel to look at.
“Haunted house hunting” and “spooky scavenger hunts” may become one of our new Halloween traditions!
I’d love to see what creative and eco-friendly Halloween decorations ideas you have. We may try to copy it next year. Happy Halloween All, from my little goblins to yours!
