Halloween is just around the corner and we’ve already got our costumes ready.  It’s not hard at my house to come up with something.  My daughter is HUGE into playing dress up.  She wears a dress up outfit (or three) at least once a day.  She has quite the collection from things I’ve passed on to her to the Halloween clearance section where grandma has purchased numerous costumes for a buck or two.  Her imagination just lights up when she puts on a doctor’s outfit or lion mask.  Playing dress up happened to be one of my most favorite games as a child, too, so I’m having a lot of fun playing with her, too.

A great way to get your Halloween costumes this year is to take part in the National Costume Swap Day.  Find a local swap, pass along your kid’s old costumes and pick up a new (to you) costume.  It’s a great way to make your Halloween ‘green’.   If you can’t find a local swap, consider hosting one of your own.  It can be as simple as one between friends or neighbors, or as large as a city-wide event. 

What costumes will your kids be wearing this year?  Are you buying new or getting creative with DIY?

Beyond the basic invitations, Cocodot has event management features, social stationery, and Facebook integration.  For weddings, you can communicate with your guests with engagement announcements, save the dates, invitations and thank you cards. Imagine the cost savings (now imagine putting that extra money into that wedding dress you have your eye on).

Cocodot is membership based.  Single cards are 99 cents, single events are $19. The Classic annual membership is $29 for unlimited greeting cards and for the party planner – the Deluxe annual membership is $49 for a limited time (normally $99) . 

If you want to try it out (and you should!) you can get a FREE Cocodot invitation in honor of Earth Day by entering cocoEarth2010 at checkout, now through May 15th for a free party invite, which can be created, personalized (even with your own photos!) and delivered to an unlimited amount of guests within minutes.

When you do use Cocodot – send us your invitation or greeting at info at mommygoesgreen (dot) com. The 10th person to send theirs over will receive a gift in the mail!  We’ll contact you directly for your mailing address.

Reusable gift bags are a great eco-friendly and cost saving alternative to gift wrapping and paper gift bags.  They are made of cloth so they don’t get bent up and out of shape like paper gift bags and don’t require extra packaging supplies like scissors, tape, tissue paper or ribbon.

Lucky Crow stocks 24 fabrics, including several organic cotton and children’s prints.  Save money by purchasing a collection of bags.  The gift bags come in 4 different sizes with prices ranging from $4-$12 and are manufactured in the USA.

Living Ethos has a huge collection of fabric choices for gifts from baby showers to birthdays. The bags are cotton and the attached grosgrain ribbon and care labels are made from 100% recycled PET (soda bottles).   While the fabric is imported, the bags are assembled and sewn in the USA. A set of 4 different sizes is $28.

Gratitude Gift Bags come in 4 different sizes and prices range from $4-$8.  The gift bags are manufactured in the USA and a portion of all proceeds are donated to select charities focusing on cancer research and environmental concerns.  Use code ‘PRESS’ for a 10% online discount.

WrapSackscome in 6 sizes and prices range from $4 – $11.  They are ethically sourced in Indonesia where the batik fabrics are made.  You can follow the journey of your wrapsack goes by using their ‘track a sack’ feature.

Bring It In A Bag reusable gift bags are made from natural jute and come in 3 sizes ranging from $3 – $15.  They are lined with a laminate coating to make them easy to keep clean and have a cane handle.

DIY – If you’re crafty, you can sew your own custom gift bags with this pattern from Better Homes and Gardens.

1. Make a fancy dinner at home. Spend some time in advance pouring over your favorite recipe books or searching recipe sites for elegant, lavish choices that you wouldn’t ordinarily splurge on. To make it even more special, treat yourself to a bottle of nice wine or Champagne, start out with a course of fantastic artisanal cheeses, and make or buy a decadent dessert. Be sure to buy all the groceries a day or two in advance and allow enough time to be able to cook together in a leisurely manner – sharing in the cooking process is half the fun. Pull out your fine china and linens, then light some candles to set the mood.

2. Give a living plant instead of cut flowers.A dozen red roses are a quintessential Valentine’s gift, but they’re not exactly good news for the environment – the flowers could be heavily sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals (bad news for you and the workers who pick and handle the flowers.) Many are flown from South Africa or Latin America, travel that uses resources and causes pollution. Instead, find an eco-friendly florist or garden shop and give your sweetie a living plant that will stay green long after those red roses wilt.

3. Make your own truffles. Don’t waste your money on fancy commercial chocolate brands – instead, head to the kitchen and make your own truffles. Recipes can easily be found online for a delicious, thoughtful gift that also helps the earth.

4. Buy chocolate responsibly. If playing chocolatier in your own kitchen is beyond your skill set, try to do a little research and find sweets that are organic, fair-trade and made locally so you’re supporting small business people in your community.

5. Shop for gifts at thrift and antique stores. Your local flea markets, thrift stores or even eBay can be a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind, meaningful gifts for your honey. Look for vintage purses, a pretty glass vase, or some beaded necklaces that you can take apart to make your own personalized piece.

6. Take a jewelry making class to make a handcrafted bauble.If you plan far enough in advance, you can take a jewelry making class (or, for the time-pressed, even a one time only afternoon workshop) so that you can make a piece that’s truly unique and from the heart. Look online for a class and you might even find someone who teaches you about giving new life to old objects, like this one taught at New York City jewelry store Lunessa.

7. Splurging on a diamond? Go conflict free.Most commercial diamonds are mined in ways that harm the environment and the workers. If you are going to splurge on a diamond, make sure it’s a conflict-free gem. There are plenty of eco-responsible jewelers, such as Green Karat who specialize in recycled precious metals and responsibly mined sparklers.

8. Create a home spa experience. Instead of a gift certificate to a fancy spa, create a luxurious spa experience in your own home. Find recipes for homemade bath salts, scrubs or facials, then light some candles and put on some Sade.

9. Make your own Valentines. Whether they’re for your child’s classmates or for friends and loved ones, making your own valentines can be a satisfying way to use the things you’ve been hoarding, such as scraps of fabric and ribbons, random buttons, and old greeting cards and magazines. Gather up all the materials you think you might need, buy some construction paper or card stock at your supermarket, and get to work.

10. Go risqué responsibly. Looking for some sexy underthings to spice up your night? Stay away from synthetic fabrics like polyester satin, and seek out lingerie made from natural and environmentally responsible fabrics like bamboo, organic cotton, hemp and silk. Green Cheeks Boutique has romantic options ranging from colorful thongs made from silk remnants to lace-trimmed, organic cotton babydolls.

This post originally appeared on RecycleBank and is reprinted with permission.

Just over 2 weeks until Christmas day and you’re still looking for the perfect gift?  Get a gift card – you know the recipient will be delighted to pick out whatever they want and you’ll be happy knowing that your gift will be used ( not set aside to be re-gifted next year! )

Many gift cards are made from PVC and then thrown into a landfill – 10 billion new cards are created every year!  So when you’re looking for gift card options, check out some of these greener choices.

1.  Virtual Gift Cards – GiftZip is a fantastic way to send a last minute gift.  No need to send a plastic card or think ahead because once you make the purchase online, GiftZip will send the ‘gift card’ via email to the recipient and they can then use it at the online retailer.  Or, if you prefer to give it to them in person, you can print it out and give it to them.  GiftZip doesn’t charge anything additional and works with most of the web’s most popular retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Nordstrom, Target, Sephora, iTunes and Zappos.  

Giftcards.com has a Virtual Gift Card that can be used anywhere that VISA is accepted.  Gift recipients get an email notification with an online link to activate and use the gift card.  Perfect for someone that loves to shop online.

2.  Gift Cards that Give Back – Give the Gift Card from American Express can be used anywhere that American Express cards can be used – over a million retailers.  The card itself is still plastic but the packaging is printed on recycled paper from an FSC managed forest and for each card purchased, Amex is giving American Forests 70 cents with a minimum donation of $100,000.

Giving Tree Gift Card gives the recipient two gifts in one.  10% of the card’s value is donated to a charity of the recipient’s choice and the other 90% is used as cash.  There are over 1.5 million non-profit choices so the recipient is sure to find a cause they believe in.

3.  Reuse an existing card – if you’ve used up a gift card you already have, just reload it and gift it.  It’s far better than tossing it in the trash.  A lot of retailers have reloadable cards like Target, Best Buy,  and Starbucks. 

4.  Cash may just be the greenest option – no plastic and recycled over and over again!

ARTIFICIAL TREE

• + reduced trips to purchase a new tree every year
• + require no pesticides
• + cost effective, 1x purchase
• - likely made of PVC – a poisonous plastic
• - found to contain lead, particularly if manufactured outside the U.S.
• - shipped from long distances, outside the U.S.
• - not recyclable, takes hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill

Bottom line :  if you do decide to buy one, try to find one made in the U.S.   Less shipping and smaller chance that it contains lead.  Once you are ready to get rid of it, keep it out of the landfill by finding a program or family that would like to have it.

 LIVING TREE

• + can be replanted after the holiday
• + renewable resource
• + recyclable
• + can be found locally (in some areas), reducing transportation and supporting a local business
• - annual cost
• - may be grown with pesticides
• - may be transported long distances

FRESH TREE

• + renewable resource
• + recyclable
• + can be found locally (in some areas), reducing transportation and supporting a local business
• - annual cost
• - may be grown with pesticides
• - may be transported long distances

Bottom line: whether you choose a fresh or living tree, try to find one at a local, organic farm reducing transportation and pesticides.  When the holiday is over, make sure you send the tree to the recyclers.

1.  BYOB – bring your own bags when Christmas shopping.  Envirosax makes fantastic, stylish bags with plenty of room for your goods.  Decline a bag for every purchase you make and try to stuff it into a bag you are already carrying.

2.  Purchasing gifts -  most of your trash comes from the gift packaging so choose gifts with little to no packaging like gift cards, charity donations or memberships to the zoo, museum, or library. These are great gifts that last long beyond the holiday.

3. Wrapping gifts – wrap gifts in something the recipient can use again like canvas bags, a piece of fabric or cloth napkin with a pretty bow, or a decorative bag or box (reused from previous holidays!).  Kids are always creating art projects at school, use them for wrapping – grandparents will particularly love this!  For large gifts, just tie a bow around it. Ecorations also makes reusable fabric gift wraps and bags.  I love their personalized Santa sacks for kid’s presents!

4. Shipping gifts- if you are shipping gifts, have them sent directly from the store to the recipient.  No use in shipping first to yourself and then shipping again.  Also, reuse Styrofoam packing peanuts, air filled bags or plastic grocery bags to cushion the contents. 

5. Christmas cards and invitations – don’t feel obligated to send a Christmas card if you dread doing it every year.  Most of them end up in the recycle bin anyway.  Families do enjoy getting an update on their friends so try sending an email newsletter, a link to your family blog or an online card.  It’s free, saves you a lot of time and reduces your paper use.    For the Christmas cards you do get, donate them to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children once the holiday is over.  The organization recycles used cards ( for any occasion ) into new cards and sells them, benefiting the abused, abandoned and neglected children at the ranch.  Hosting a holiday party? Use a free online invitation program, like Evite, for customized online invitations.

6. Holiday parties- if you or your company have a holiday party, there is bound to be leftover food.  Call a local agency that will pick up the food and deliver to people who really need it or package it up and have your guests take it home.  Compost fruit and veggie scraps, egg shells and coffee grounds.   During the party, use reusable dishes, utensils and cloth napkins – you can rent them from a party rental company if you need more than you own. 

7.  Opening gifts- when opening gifts, make sure to have 3 bags on hand – one for recyclable packaging and wrapping, one for ribbons and bags that can be reused and one for true trash.  Remember that a lot of things are recyclable, even if it can’t be taken curbside.  It may be an extra trip, but you can take Styrofoam and hard plastic packaging to local facilities to be recycled.  Check Earth911 for a local location.

Enjoy this day, filled with Thanksgiving.

“There is a loop hole in the ‘fresh’ meat business for turkeys – a turkey can be kept brined and at 26 degrees and still sold as a ‘fresh’ (never frozen) product in the U.S.,  and a turkey held between 0 and 26 degrees (which is a frozen turkey) and then thawed does not need to be labeled as previously frozen. That Thanksgiving turkey you pick up at the local supermarket could be 6 months old!”

So if you want a truly fresh turkey, do some checking around with your local butcher shops, grocery stores or farms.  If you are in New York, make sure to check out Dickson’s Farmstand in Chelsea Market – guaranteed to have TRULY fresh turkeys.

It’s THAT time again – music in stores, lights on houses, the smell of evergreen and pine.  Whether you wait for Thanksgiving to pass or not – the Christmas season has arrived and the shopping has begun.  Over the next several weeks, we’ll be highlighting great green gifts for your family and friends.

One of my favorite websites to shop for unique kid’s toys is Stubby Pencil Studio.  Mom and owner, Kate Rosenthal, stocks eco products for creative kids that are non-toxic and environmentally responsible.

This holiday season, skip the dollar bins – you never know what’s in those cheap products (check the ingredients, I often find phthalates, lead warnings or PVC) and pick up your kid’s stocking stuffers at Stubby Pencil Studio – all under $10 and much safer for your family.  Here are some of my favorites:

Holiday Smencils

Holiday Smencils- Grab these first, they were sold out last year!  5 limited edition gourmet scented pencils made from 100% recycled newspapers. Each Holiday Smencil comes packaged in its own (recyclable) Freshness Tube and come in 5 fun scents: Cinnamon, Sugar Plum, Candy Cane, Gingerbread & Sugar Cookie.  $6.50

Star Crayons- I can’t get enough of fun shaped crayons and your kids won’t either.  Each box holds 20 crayon stars in assorted colors and are made from 100% recycled crayons from the National Crayon Recycling Program.  Purchasing eco stars supports recycling education and employs people with disabilities.  $8.95

Monkey Pencils – Your kids will love taking these to school. 3 monkey pencils made from natural, chemical free rubber wood, and finished with non-toxic and child friendly colors.  $2.95

Star Crayons

YoYo- You can’t go wrong with a yoyo for any kid.  This classic yoyo is made from a wood called Ankudu and color is 100% lead-free, non-toxic vegetable dye and the lacquer comes from the sap of a rosewood tree.  $5.95

Envirosax for Kids- If you’ve been reading MGG long, you’d know that I love my Envirosax bags.  Now our kids can have one, too.  My daughter loves to put things in purses and bags and carry them around the house, to school and into the store with me.  Envirosax are a great way to introduce our kids to an eco-friendly lifestyle.  They come in 8 different designs.  $8.00

Color 'n Kids Thank You Go Set

Color ‘n Kids Card Sets – This is a great way to personalize notes from your kids.  All cards are printed on 100% PCW recycled stock and come with 6 colored envelopes: red, orange, yellow, lime green, green and blue. Cards measure 4.25″ x 5.5″.  Purchase 3 sets and receive a complimentary box of 24 vivid color pencils.  $7.95

Rainbox Softdough- Mary’s Softdough is a soft, non-crumbly modeling dough made from 100% food-quality ingredients. Completely non-toxic, this colorful tub of dough will last up to a year and provide hours of fun. An 18 oz. tub holds a rainbow of colors: red, yellow, green, blue and purple. Ingredients include flour, water, salt, cream of tartar, soybean oil, food coloring and sodium benzoate (a food preservative). $9.95

Made By Me Truck

Softdough Tool Set- No playdough set would be complete without tools to roll and cut the dough.  This 12 piece set includes a hardwood rolling pin and assorted cookie cutters: moon, star, sun, cloud, leaf, heart, frog, squirrel, butterfly, dragonfly, and turtle. $7.95

• Check out Stubby Pencil Studio and tell us what YOUR favorite products are!
• Follow us on twitter @mommygoesgreen and retweet this contest.

Leave your comment by Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 11:59PM PST.  Contest open to all U.S. residents, ages 18+.  We will choose 1 winner, by random, and contact them via email.  Privacy Policy.

 Congratulations to Sue for winning the shopping spree – enjoy!