Do you know how hard it is to find a picture of a “green” pumpkin? Well, since you asked, I’ll tell you – it’s freakishly hard. Orange will have to do…

I hope you and your family have a wonderfully spooky (and eco-friendly) Halloween. In case you’re in the mood for some light Halloween reading, here’s a round-up of Tree Hugging Family’s 2008 Halloween tips:

• Planning A Green Halloween
• Should you buy an organic pumpkin for Halloween?
• Green Your Halloween Party
• Oodles of Free Recycled Halloween Craft Ideas
• Non-toxic face paints for Halloween
• My Little Green Ghost & Green Halloween Costume Ideas
• Buy Nothing New Halloween
• Organic Etsy Halloween Treats
• Halloween Links
• How are you greening your Halloween?
• Healthy Treat for Kids: Organic Clif Bar
• Organic Halloween Smoothie
• Scary Movie
• Green Halloween Poll Results

Be safe tonight and have fun! Oh, and don’t forget to snap some great photos of the kiddos tonight; then head over to Simply Thrifty and enter the Little Monsters Costume Contest! You could win a Seagate FreeAgent Go.

Today is my last day as a blogger for Tree Hugging Family.

However, you’ll still see me around in comments as a reader! And Jennifer will be here to entertain you.

No, I’m not stopping blogging!

You may find me over at Junk Creation. If you haven’t checked it out, please do. It’s a fun blog about creative reuse. It’s offbeat, but also informative.

Starting November 1, I’ll also be blogging at Lively Women. It’s all about anything you can imagine that has to do with women’s health. I hope to see you there.

And I’ll still have a green blog — Light Green Stairs. Please do visit and say hello.

I’ve had a lot of fun blogging here and leaving was a difficult decision. I appreciate all the comments from the regulars! I will miss you.

We asked, “How are you greening your Halloween?”

Here’s what you said:

42% Not celebrating at all

25% Making costumes or buying used

17% Composting pumpkins after the 31st

13% Natural decorations (like mums)

4% Organic candy and treats

It’s good so many of you are making your own costumes or buying used. Hope you have a great time.

If you need tips on composting pumpkins, visit Earth 911.

Do you have a way you’re greening your Halloween that’s not mentioned above?

Image via MorgueFile.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes and everything else going on at Tree Hugging Family in October 2008.

The Bloggy Giveaways end on Halloween, so don’t miss out! There’s something for everyone, from pets to cooks.

Here are the prizes you could win at various blogs around b5media:

Love ‘em and Leaf ‘em

Basket of Indulgence

Ultreo Toothbrush

Natures Inventory Oils

Breast Pump, BPA-Free Bottles, Nursing Reminder Bracelet and Nursing Pads

Christmas Crafts Inspiration Pack

Hope Bracelet from Twisted Silver

Laptop Skin from SkynMobile

Hedgehog Tatting Shuttle

Silver Color Heart Earrings

Treasure Chest of Giveaways

Free Shoes! Naughty Monkey Nookie Wedge Giveaway

Jewelry from Diffraction

Coach Bag

PediPaws Nail Trimmer

Luxepets Charms

Wagatha Dog Treats

Book: A Friend Like Henry

All Season Weatherproof Deer Repellent

Theobromine T-Shirt

Book: Great Party Fondues

Christian LaCroix Avon Gift Package

Bathtub Santa Christmas Giveway

Baskin-Robbins Gift Certificates

Children’s Weather CD

Balloon Time Helium Kit

$50 Gift Card for Box Tops Marketplace

Lands’ End Women’s Clothing

Good luck! 

Ok, some might think I’m biased since I do blog over at Inhabitots, but seriously, don’t you think that these new Organic Owl Baby Tees are totally adorable…

I think that they’re the perfect holiday gift for all tree hugging families with little ones. And no, I don’t get a bonus for saying that. In fact, I’m going to order my own soon – for a friend who is expecting.

The tees feature ‘Habby’, the Inhabitot owl mascot, and are made from 100% organic cotton. They’re hand-printed with eco-friendly, water-based inks and available in sizes 3-24 months. The super fly old school-like tagline reads ‘I give a hoot’. Bonus, these are economical kiddie organic tees (just $20 a pop); not something we see every day.

Get your own little one a hip organic owl tee.

[images via Inhabitots]

If you’re new to Tree Hugging Family or new to green living in general, you should know that no one (or at least me) expects you to rush out and buy a hybrid, attach solar panels, or cut showers down to three minutes flat. Yeah, that’s all fine, but if you’re new to green, even small steps are good. EVEN super tiny baby green steps, such as…

1. Forget the drinking straw at any and all restaurants.
2. Step down one heat setting while washing clothes. Technically, you can wash everything on cold; but if you’re freaking about losing the heat, just use the warm instead of hot water setting.
3. Use both sides of your paper when printing.
4. Unplug your cell phone charger when it’s not charging. Bonus points if you step it up and unplug at least four more household electrical items.
5. Buy a reusable coffee filter.

Read more

Green to Blue-Third Place Tie from Brighter Planet on Vimeo.

“Green to Blue” was created by Elizabeth Klein for the national short film contest, Climate Matters. The film, which looks at global warming through the eyes of a child, won third place in the competition. The contest, sponsored by Brighter Planet and 1Sky with a partnership with Vimeo.com, aims to encourage the public to ask their leaders to take action against climate change.

Winning film submissions from the Climate Matters contest are going to be distributed to all presidential nominees and members of Congress.

See more videos at Brighter Planet.

Thoroughbred Fever is hosting a contest that celebrates the fun Sports Channel at b5media and the Breeder’s Cup.

Go to Win a $200 Amazon Gift Certificate and Celebrate the Breeder’s Cup for the quick details on entering.

The contest ends this Monday, so enter now.

How many holiday gifts could you scratch off your list with that prize? 

Image via flickr/David Paul Ohmer.

In honor of Halloween why not watch a video? Yeah, it’s not Buffy, still, the treehugger tv message is a little more upbeat than, “Here comes another apocalypse!”

Jane from Fun in the Making (A green crafting website with sustainable living tips) sent me a fun Halloween craft over at Junk Creation recently: Recycled Ghost Party Favors.

So, I spent some time on her site and found a craft I thought many of you would love. It’s perfect for kiddos.

Read Egg Heads with Grass Hair to get the scoop on making these!

Image via Fun in the Making.