Surprise your party guests with costumes instead of useless decoration ideas.
Source: Anna Kumpan/Unsplash
The holidays are the perfect time to gather your loved ones together for celebrations like Halloween parties. And while many of us love running out to buy everything we need (or want) for the festivities, it’s hard to justify spending extra money on items we’ll only use for a few hours. can be difficult.
The good news is, just because you don’t want to stock up on supplies for your next Halloween party, you don’t have to feel like you’re going to suck at a big party.
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Instead, consider trying one of the eco-friendly DIY ideas below. This way, you can keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket, keep excess trash out of the landfill, and make your next Halloween party an unforgettable low-waste celebration.
Source: Dr. Ina Melny/Unsplash
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Host a costume swap before the party.
If you’re throwing a dress-up party, you can avoid sending people out looking for new outfits by hosting a clothing swap before the shindig. Not only will this allow people to swap out last year’s outfits, but it will also allow them to avoid long lines at stores.
As an added bonus, hosting the party right before the gathering starts adds even more fun to the party.
Make your own reusable spider web.
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Now many people know that it is absolutely prohibited to use artificial spider webs outdoors, as they pose a threat to plants and wildlife. But if you’re looking for a way to make creepy spider webs indoors and want to use materials you can bring home every year, you might consider trying out the cow net used by @heathercarter518. Is it?
The TikToker showed his followers exactly how to use the net to create a realistic-looking web, sparking a lot of praise from his followers.
But the most significant part of the comments generated by the OP’s post was from a woman who shared that she had been decorating her home with the same reusable webbing for five years, and by the time she needed this design. It emphasizes how long it lasts. It can be replaced!
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I went to a thrift shop while buying decorations.
If you really need to pick up some new decorations this year, head to thrift stores to find second-hand items like TikToker @sabrina_pare does. She shops around items that can be reused throughout the year to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth (look at this black and white table runner combo).
If you can’t find what you’re looking for there, the OP suggests visiting your local Buy Nothing Facebook group to find additional eco-friendly decorating ideas.
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Use reusable tableware to serve meals to guests.
There’s nothing scarier than cleaning up all the dishes after a Halloween party. Therefore, many hosts and hostesses choose to use disposable silverware and plates. But the downside to quick and easy cleanup is that all your single-use paper and plastic products end up in the bin at the end of the night, creating a lot of waste.
Instead of reaching for traditional disposable products while preparing for a party, consider using only the dishes, glasses, and utensils you use every day.
Buy locally grown pumpkins instead of fake plastic pieces.
Do you love the look of a gorgeously decorated front door when welcoming guests? Instead of buying used-up plastic pumpkins that are made and shipped using fossil fuels, go local and farm! Consider purchasing real pumpkins for a more sustainable party decoration option.
Not only are you helping your community by buying locally made items, but you’re also helping the critters living in and around your home by composting these items after the party is over.
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DIY ghost decorations.
Add some spooky fun to your party with DIY decorations using items you have around the house. TikToker @tiny_waste came up with the brilliant idea of recreating the viral ghost decor using items found around the house.
In the end, she was able to repurpose some items she would have otherwise thrown away to make her vision a reality.
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Skip gift bags and souvenir packaging.
Even if the event is adults-only or you expect a few small ghosts or ghouls to appear, it’s customary to offer some favors to your guests. If you want to reduce waste and get your budget and the planet back on track, avoid items that require extra packaging (like goody bags) or small plastic toys that break or get thrown away as soon as the event is over. Please consider quitting. Choose something more sustainable.
Fruits that come in special packages (bananas and clementines) are both great snacks. And if you want to send the adults home with something to remember from the party, consider serving drinks in used glasses that double as party favors that they can take home at the end of the night.
