Last year, we explained to you how to still be an outstanding postconsumer even if you were involved in the zombie apocalypse. But zombies aren’t the only creature that comes out to creep during the Halloween season. And you may be surprised at what perfect postconsumers many of your favorite Halloween Icons actually are. In the spirit of the season, we thought we’d walk you through the admirable postconsumer traits of all of your favorite Halloween staples. Just because you’re an undead Halloween celebrity, it doesn’t mean that you’re not still a great postconsumer!
Frankenstein: The Epitome of the Upcycler
Most Postconsumers adore a good exercise in upcycling or recycling. After all, the fewer new things that we purchase and consume, the more separation we can create from the consumer media machine. And while in truth we’d really have to credit Frankenstein’s creator with being a solid upcycler, we don’t like to reward crazy megalomaniacs. So we’re giving the credit to the creature who actually lives with the upcycling result every day. Not only is Frankenstein wearing upcycled clothing (albeit a little ripped up), his entire being is made from upcycled “parts.” Sure, we may not think that creating a re-animated human is a good idea, but if you’re going to do it at least do it from upcycled parts.
The Werewolf: So Eco-Friendly It Hurts
No, literally it will hurt if you encounter this creature. But before he rips out your still-beating heart and eats it, be sure to commend him for his eco-friendly lifestyle. Firstly, electric lights? The werewolf doesn’t need to waste fossil fuels that way. He’s set with just the natural moonlight. And he doesn’t buy into clothing trends or the consumer clothing marketing cycle because he’s all good with his natural fur. Plus, who needs to support urban gardening or other alternatives to natural forests when he’s spending all of his free time just running naked in nature? Face it, the werewolf is more eco-friendly than you are. Now, if only he was a little more like a loving dog and a little less like a vicious wolf.
The Vampire: Why Buy New When Vintage is So Chic?
One piece of consumer advice that we often give to postconsumers starting their journey is to not buy into the marketing ploy of trends and to stick with classic styles or choices. A second piece of advice that we often give is to consider shopping thrift, consignment or vintage stores to reduce the number of new items that you contribute to circulation. We can’t think of anybody who personifies these lifestyle choices more than the vampire (though the use of the word personify is questionable here). Not only does the vampire tend to prefer timeless looks (though it is indeed hard to translate a single look over multiple centuries), but he or she also tends to build up their own collection of vintage items that they stick to. Vampires aren’t interested in your trends or new items. They, more than anybody else, are interested in items that they can use again and again over long, very long, periods of time.
The Ghost: Letting Go of “Stuff.” Literally.
What’s a better way to let go of stuff than to not be able to literally hold onto it? That’s why we’re giving an honorable mention in the Postconsumer’s Halloween icon list to your local haunting. When ghosts stick around in the human world, they’re doing so because of the most important type of connection – the emotional one. Sure, that’s not healthy for them or for the recipients of their haunting. But it’s also a reminder that the most important things in life have nothing to do with the things that you own and everything to do with the connections that you make. Even if the message comes in a creepy and, frankly, often terrifying way, it’s still an important message.
The Halloween Icon You Don’t Want to Be Like: The Mummy
Every group has one bad apple, and in the case of Halloween icons it’s clearly the mummy. Sure, we applaud the timeless style of his or her bandage apparel, but the mummy is all about “stuff.” In fact, their entire purpose is to guard their own hordes of stuff to ensure that it goes with them even into the afterlife. We can’t support that! In fact, we may say that that’s exactly why the mummy seems so miserable in the afterlife. An eternity of being tied to the corporeal earth just to hold onto your “stuff”? If it sounds unpleasant, it’s because it is. Think how much happier the mummies would be if they had been able to go into the afterlife peacefully instead of being held back because they’re too invested in what they own.
Did we miss a postconsumer Halloween icon that you want to share with us? If so, just tell us about it on one of the social media channels below.
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Photo Credit: Tony J. Case via Flickr
