Make cheap, green Halloween trick or treat bags using household items

Halloween comes every year. Why not make a cheap, green, reusable trick or treat bag? It seems wasteful to use plastic Halloween bags that end up in the trash. Make a cloth Halloween trick or treat bag that's ecofriendly, cheap, re-usable and unique. Kids will love their special handmade trick or treat bags, no matter how you make them.

Shopping bag

Most grocery stores sell cheap shopping bags for as little as a dollar. Use these as a base for your green trick or treat bags. Cover the store logo with Halloween fabric or some cute Halloween patches from a craft store. If you don't sew, use fabric glue or iron on tape to adhere the fabric and patches to the bag.

Pillowcase

An old plain colored pillowcase can be turned into a cheap green trick or treat bag. Purchase two small brass rings from the craft store. Fold each corner of the open end of the pillow case over one of the rings. Sew or glue the fabric in place. Tie colorful string through the rings for handles. Decorate as you did the shopping bag.

Discount fabric

Each year when Halloween is over, you'll find great clearance bargains on decorative Halloween fabric. You'll need about a yard to make a cheap green trick or treat bag. Turn the fabric inside out. Sew, glue or use iron on fabric tape to make the side seam. Turn the open side under and hem the same way. Turn right side out. Use the same handle method as with the pillowcase bag.

Old T-shirt

Turn an old short sleeved t-shirt inside out. Sew, hem tape or glue the bottom together. Turn it back right side out. Loop the sleeves over two 3 inch brass rings. Sew, fabric tape or glue sleeves to the body of the shirt. These hold the string handles. The open neck is where the candy goes in. Decorate this treat bag with Halloween patches, appliques and lettering.

Mesh laundry bag

This one is plain and simple but easy for toddlers. It holds itself open. Use a Halloween colored mesh laundry bag from the dollar store. Thread an embroidery hoop into the bag where the string is. Leave the string in the bag. A toddler can carry this trick or treat bag by the string or the hoop. It stays open for filling.