Create great costumes by reusing old clothes instead of buying (and tossing) cheap plastic junk.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—When I was little, we'd spend joyous weeks before Halloween delving into the dress-up chest in the attic, and cobbling together bits of this and that to come up with creative costumes. I often think the creating was at least half the fun. Halloween these days and seems to be mostly a celebration of cheap (and disposable) plastic from the Far East. It also seems that, just like Christmas, we have to start planning earlier and earlier, before the “best” costumes and all the good candy sell out. Of course, Halloween doesn't have the heavy messages that are at the root of the upcoming winter holidays, nevertheless, there are ways to enjoy Halloween while avoiding conspicuous spending, and there are other ways to make sure the money you do spend is put to good use.

Take the trash out of trick or treat. Whether you decide to make your own treats or buy them, hand out something other than artificially flavored and colored sugar or disposable plastic: Check out GreenHalloween.org for a great list of ideas. The coolest ecotreats sell out early, so stock up now on Endangered Species Chocolate Company’s Bug Bites, small chocolate squares that come with trading cards devoted to insects—perfect for Halloween. In keeping with Fair Trade Month, the nonprofit group Global Exchange sells a Fair Trade Trick or Treat Kit that includes mini Fair Trade Certified chocolates along with cards explaining fair trade that you can hand out.