Fresh Celebrate Green!� News 08-18-10

Remember, change is good

Happy end of summer! Hope you've had a grand, green one. The summer gave us time to talk about some changes we have in store and one of them has to do with this newsletter. 

For the next couple of months, we're going to experiment with one- or possibly two-topic newsletters--shorter, quicker reads. Instead of waiting to collect the info, we'll send it out as it's happening. This has the advantage of being able to update you quickly and allow you to take advantage of giveaways, listen to radio shows that might interest you and participate with us as we continue to spread the word about celebrating green.

Yes, we can use Twitter and Facebook, and we do. But we also know that many of our newsletter subscribers aren't able to keep up with everyone via social media and enjoy receiving the newsletter.

Don't worry. You won't be flooded with e-mails from us. Most likely you'll get something once or twice a week. This is an experiment so if it doesn't work for our readers, we're open to changing back.

We look forward to hearing your input about this change once you start receiving the new format.

As always, thank you for your support.

We know we shouldn't be feeding your addiction, but we just can't help it: Giveaway for shopping bagaholics

If, like Lynn, you are a collector of shopping bags, you won't want to miss her 3-part series on the topic on our blog. Not only is the series fun, but we're giving away an awesome set of one of Lynn's two favorite bag systems, from Blue Avocado.

And there just may be a giveaway from Lynn's other favorite, Esse. So be sure to check out the Celebrate Green! blog or better yet, subscribe via RSS so you don't miss any of the great giveaway opportunities that we're lining up for the fall.

Green Halloween & KIWI magazine launch National Costume Swap Day�why not participate?

Before we started Green Halloween�, we thought that you had to pay or have a lot of clout or both, to name an official "day." We found out that's not the case so we decided to name the second Saturday of October, National Costume Swap Day. This year it's October 9.

We're collaborating with KIWI magazine to bring you ideas on how to swap plus "Find a Swap" listings.

Swapping costumes is a terrific alternative to purchasing new, but this year, it's more relevant than ever since most of us are watching our pennies. It's also a great way to kick off the Green Halloween season.

Don't worry that your kids won't like new-to-them items. Having a fun and meaningful Halloween is about your positive, encouraging attitude.

If you want to arrange a neighborhood or citywide swap, get the kids' buy-in, then check out the ideas at www.CostumeSwapDay.com and you'll be on your way.

Whether you plan a public or private swap, we encourage you to list it on the site at no cost and encourage your friends to do the same. Check back closer to Halloween and hopefully you'll find a swap near you or an online swap if you're not hosting one yourself.

Green Halloween is coming to a city near you

In its 4th year, Green Halloween� has exploded across the country. We currently have 16 cities officially participating with events or healthier trick-or-treat trails in downtowns or malls, plus more than three dozen zoos and aquariums that will be offering alternatives to conventional candy. (Click links above to see if Green Halloween is coming to your community.)

In 2010, we're proud to be a program of EcoMom Alliance and their amazing moms across the country who are working to create an environmentally, socially and economically healthy and sustainable world.

Whether you're just beginning to think about how to make your kids' Halloween a bit healthier or are a committed environmentalist, you'll find clever, inexpensive ideas for a greener Halloween at www.GreenHalloween.org Visit often and watch for family-friendly events in your community.

Grab some good karma 

Help support us and up your karma quotient simply by writing a review or two or three or...you get the idea.

1. Write an Amazon review of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family. (If you haven't read it yet and would like a copy for 40% off retail price plus free shipping until September 1, 2010, email us.)

2. Write a review and give stars to any (or all) of our videos on YouTube.

3. Write a review of our Celebrate Green! radio show on iTunes. (This is the only one that is a bit tricky. If you haven't done it before, here are the instructions on how to. But before you follow those, from the link you have to click on "view in iTunes." If it's too much work, we understand and we agree! )

Thanks very much for your help and support.

Great deals coming to you from our shop at OpenSky

While buying nothing at all is the greenest way to live, we're realists. We know people are going to buy (us too), but buying more sustainably is our goal.

Earlier this year, we joined with OpenSky to create the CelebrateGreen!� online shop.

To be honest, the road was a bit bumpy at first, but OpenSky has recently launched a new interface that makes it much easier for us to add items to our shop.

What this means to you is that if you're looking for gifts, decor, organic goods and anything else that will help you celebrate green, you'll find it in our shop.

And one of the things we love about OpenSky is that they offer some terrific deals which of course, we will pass on to you.

And if you make or sell an item you think would be a good match for our store, or if you spot an item you think would be a great addition, please email us.  

celebrategreen.net

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