How to Do Spooky Sustainably
‘Tis the season for pumpkins, ghosts and whimsical joy. Celebrating holidays fully is one of life’s greatest pleasures and spooky season is a particularly good excuse to decorate your house and yourself with things that are cute, scary or somewhere in between. What we don’t want is a load of plastic tat which lasts one season and then heads straight for landfill. Instead we’ve found beautifully made decorations, treats and costumes from brands that care about the planet and its people, made for longevity as well as aesthetic.
Spooky Decor
Leaning in to a season means decorating your house inside and out, and there are so many ways to do it in the weeks leading up to Halloween. You can go for the classics of pumpkins, skeletons and ghosts, or go for something a little more unexpected. From felt and paper to ceramic and wood, these are piece that bring the spirit of Halloween into your home.
Spooky Table
Halloween doesn’t have to mean novelty tableware. If you’re having friends over or just want to dine in style these options have got you covered whether you’re leaning into gothic or playful.
Trick or Treat
After pumpkins and ghosts the next thing we think of for Halloween is sweets. Finding responsibly made sweets is still harder than it should be, although it’s getting easier. These sweets will delight the kids (and adults) in your life to ensure you don’t get any tricks this year.
Costumes
There are so many options when it comes to costumes, whether you want a full outfit or bits to create your own.
Why We Chose Them
CasaLatina
CasaLatina works directly with artisan makers across Latin America and describes its collections as handmade, sustainable and Fair Trade. Its ceramics are produced using traditional techniques and natural, locally sourced materials wherever possible, supporting the craftspeople behind each piece.
British Colour Standard
British Colour Standard works with Fair Trade producers and focuses on responsible materials, ethical production and traditional craftsmanship. Its jute placemats are hand woven, while its candles use vegetable stearin and recyclable packaging, making the brand a particularly good fit for a more sustainable table.
Namaste Fair Trade
Namaste is a member of BAFTS and works with artisan producers around the world according to Fair Trade principles, supporting traditional craft skills and using natural materials wherever possible.
Siesta Crafts
Siesta is a long standing BAFTS member and Fair Trade business. It works directly with artisan producers and visits its suppliers, with an emphasis on traditional craftsmanship, responsible materials and long term relationships.
East End Press
East End Press makes its paper decorations in Britain, using responsibly sourced papers and designing its pieces to be kept and reused rather than treated as disposable decorations.
Travellers Finds
Travellers Finds describes itself as a fair trade company and works directly with artists and artisan families, ensuring the makers receive 100% of the price they charge for their work.
Paper Street Dolls
Paper Street Dolls makes its decorations in Glasgow using recycled and FSC certified papers, with riso printing using soy based inks and a focus on small scale, local production.
Sew Heart Felt
Sew Heart Felt works with women in Nepal to create its felt decorations from natural wool, using fairly traded production and environmentally friendly dyes.
Nkuku
Nkuku is a certified B Corp, with a B Impact score of 96.4. It works with artisans and places a strong emphasis on ethical production, responsible materials and reducing its environmental impact.
Emma Bridgewater
Emma Bridgewater is a certified B Corp and continues to manufacture its pottery in Stoke on Trent, supporting British production while working to improve its environmental and social impact.
Tony’s Chocolonely
Tony’s Chocolonely is both B Corp and Fairtrade certified and is working to eliminate exploitation from the cocoa industry through traceable supply chains, higher cocoa prices and direct relationships with farming cooperatives.
Divine Chocolate
Divine is both B Corp and Fairtrade certified and is part owned by the cocoa farmers of Kuapa Kokoo in Ghana, giving farmers a direct stake in the company and its profits.
Candy Kittens
Candy Kittens is a certified B Corp and has been working to reduce the environmental impact of its sweets and packaging, including the use of recycled materials.
Cotswold Fudge Co
Cotswold Fudge Co makes its fudge by hand in the Cotswolds and uses Fairtrade ingredients, supporting farmers through Fairtrade supply chains.
Paper High
Paper High is a Fair Trade business and BAFTS member working with thousands of artisans across India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, using natural, recycled and sustainable materials throughout its collections.
Natural Earth Paint
Natural Earth Paint uses natural earth and mineral pigments and organic ingredients in its paints, avoiding heavy metals and petrochemicals. Its production facility is solar powered and its packaging uses recycled and compostable materials.
Ivy & Noah
Ivy & Noah focuses on handmade children's accessories designed to be reused and enjoyed beyond a single occasion, working with small scale makers rather than mass produced disposable costume suppliers.
Charlie Crow
Charlie Crow makes its costumes in Stoke on Trent and uses recycled polyester made from plastic waste. Its costumes are designed for repeated use, and its return scheme allows outgrown pieces to be passed on rather than discarded.