When it comes to Halloween, one of the most popular traditions is enjoying sweets. While kids traditionally dress up and collect candy from their neighbours, many parents now arrange parties for their children as a safer alternative to knocking on strangers' doors.
However, the biggest problem with loot bags is the use of plastic. So, if you're looking for a new way to celebrate Halloween this year, we've got some fantastic loot bag alternatives.
With these more sustainable options, you can enjoy the joys of Halloween without worrying about your carbon footprint.
Why It's Important To Find Plastic-Free Options
The use of plastic is one of the biggest environmental problems facing our planet today. Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic are produced, with a large portion of it ending up in landfill or our oceans.
Plastic takes centuries to break down and can cause serious harm to both wildlife and the environment. So, if you're looking for ways to reduce your impact on the planet, ditching plastic is a great place to start.
Here are some of the best alternatives to traditional Halloween loot bags:
Reusable Fabric Bags
A straightforward way to reduce your reliance on plastic is to switch to reusable fabric bags. These days, there are all sorts of fun and festive designs available, so you can easily find something to match your Halloween theme.
Fill them with goodies like sweets, stickers, and small toys, and send your guests home with a bag they can use again and again.
Recycled Paper Bags
If you're not a fan of fabric bags, recycled paper bags are another great option. Just make sure to choose bags made from 100% recycled paper to ensure they're as eco-friendly as possible.
You can decorate or purchase pre-printed ones and fill them with fun Halloween treats.
Tin Pails or Buckets
Metal pails or buckets are a great alternative to plastic loot bags, and they're highly durable, so they'll last long after Halloween. These can be easily reused year after year and can be decorated to match any Halloween theme. Fill them with sweets, small toys, or even miniature pumpkin plants for a unique twist on the traditional candy haul.
Bamboo Trays
Bamboo trays are a practical, sustainable option if you want something fancier. Fill them with all sorts of Halloween treats, like cupcakes, cookies, or even small bottles of bubbly for the adults.
Decorate them with spooky designs, or keep them simple with black and orange ribbon. Either way, your guests will love this fun and unique take on the traditional loot bag.
Loot Bag Filler Ideas
It's no secret that Halloween is about sweets, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you can't mix it up with healthier treats and gifts. If you're trying to save money, you can buy big bags of sweets at wholesale prices, then add some healthy combinations too.
Doing this ensures you give the kids a fantastic time but don't overload them with confectionery.
Novelty Post-It Note Pads: Novelty pads are inexpensive, and you can get them to match any Halloween theme. Better still, they're a practical addition to any look bag and will keep the kids entertained.
Stickers: Kids love stickers, so these make a great addition to any loot bag. You can buy them in bulk online or from your local discount store.
Miniature Colouring Books: These colouring books are perfect for younger kids and can be found cheaply at most dollar stores.
Bouncy Balls: Another fun and inexpensive option, bouncy balls are always a hit with kids of all ages. You can usually find them in packs of four or more.
Glow Sticks: These are perfect for Halloween parties, and you can often find them on sale leading up to the big day. Simply crack them open and add them to the loot bags for extra fun.
Fun Treats
While chocolate and sweets are fine in moderation, offering some healthier treats for children is also a good idea. Doing this will prevent a sugar overload and also help you to teach your children about healthy diets.
Some great healthier treat ideas include:
Fruit Winders: Winders are a great alternative to sugary sweets and appar in supermarkets and health food stores. They're also similar to sweets but are made with natural fruit, so they're the best of both worlds for adults and children.
Vegetable Chips: Another healthy option, vegetable chips are ideal for getting your kids to eat their veggies. You can usually find them in the health food aisle of your local grocery store.
Popcorn: Popcorn is a classic snack that's loved by both kids and adults alike. It's also really cheap and easy to make at home. Just pop some kernels in a pot with oil and salt, then let them cool before adding them to the loot bags.
Oat Squares: Oat squares are a healthy and delicious alternative to sugary snacks. You can find them in the health food aisle of most grocery stores, or you can make them at home by combining rolled oats, mashed bananas, maple syrup and any toppings you want.
Dried Fruit: Dried fruit is a healthy and delicious snack perfect for Halloween. While it's pretty expensive to buy at the supermarket, you can make it at home by drying slices of fruit in the oven on low heat.
Air fryers and mini ovens are also perfect for drying fruit, but ensure you read the instructions before adding the fruit.
The Bottom Line
So there you have some great alternatives to traditional Halloween loot bags. With a bit of creativity, you can easily find something that will suit your needs and help reduce your impact on the planet.
So why not ditch the plastic this year, go green with your Halloween celebrations and introduce your children to the perfect mix of candy and healthier treats?
If you enjoyed reading this post, why not look at our other guides? We regularly update our blog with the latest news and tips so you can make the most of our confectionery.