Halloween is fast approaching and you are probably getting ready for all the little trick-or-treaters that will be coming to your house. Instead of sticking to traditional candies like M&Ms, Snickers, and Candy Corn consider these eco-friendly alternatives.
Glee Gum
Glee Gum is all natural gum made from chicle, Fair Trade sugar cane and brown rice syrup. All gum used to be made from Chicle, which comes from tree sap, but now most gum is made of a synthetic mix. Glee Gum packages are made from recycled cardboard and are compostable. This lets you hand out something natural, good for the environment, and Fair Trade. Best of all, Glee Gum is affordable. You can get a pack of 80 mini gum boxes for $19.95.
Yummy Earth Sour Beans
Yummy Earth sour beans packs make the perfect jelly bean alternative for little trick-or-treaters. The packs are individually wrapped and contain all natural ingredients with no artificial colors or flavors. They are also gluten-free. You can purchase Yummy Earth products from local health foods stores or online. A 50 pack of Sour Beans runs about $19.95.
Yummy Earth Lollipops
Yummy Earth also makes a natural lollipop. If you have a lot of trick-or-treaters this may be the most economical (and healthy) way to go. You can purchase a bulk bag of 300+ lollipops for $31.96. If you only have a few trick-or-treaters you can get them in much smaller quantities as well. They even have vitamin C lollipop options for an added boost of nutrient.
Endangered Species Bug Bites
Endangered Species Chocolate makes individually wrapped chocolate bug bites perfect for Halloween and trick-or-treaters with a sweet tooth. These bug bites are made from organic chocolate and each candy comes wrapped with a trading card. Candy is GMO-free certified and cocoa is harvest from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. A portion of proceeds from Endangered Species Chocolate goes to a fun to help support endangered species habitat. Give a gift that will taste good and help teach children about endangered species and their habitat. You can purchase the mini bug bites in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or dark chocolate mint in packs of 64 for $33.99.
More Ideas
If you only receive trick-or-treaters from your neighborhood and know the parents, you can also make homemade treats that kids would love. Whip up a batch of cookies or brownies and give those to the children. However, I would always carry some individually wrapped back-up candy as well. Many children are not allowed to accept candy or items that are not individually wrapped and/or your baked goodies could get thrown out when the bag is emptied by the parent. If the parent is with the child you can allow them to choose between the homemade goodies or the wrapped candies.
These are just a few of the options out there for a more eco-friendly Halloween. What do you give out on Halloween to trick-or-treaters?
About Tara
I am a wife and work-at-home mom of three. I am an avid blogger, social media manager, lover of food, and founder of WestHome Media. I love that I have found a way to stay at home with my children without giving up my profession. I am a green living advocate and love blogging about food, green living, and anything parenting! Check out my website at http://westhomemedia.com/.
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