The month of February brings us Valentine’s Day-that [sometimes] dreaded holiday of pressure and expectations. Whether you are single or coupled up, Valentine’s Day offers the tradition of card giving, flowers, chocolates, dinner, and of course, romance. Instead of stressing about how to make a dozen red roses or a heart-shaped box of chocolates feel unique, try a new tradition. Make your Valentine’s Day eco-friendly and you will be not only be giving to your sweetheart, but also back to Mother Earth.
The Card
At this time of year, over 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent out worldwide. Most of these cards are made from virgin paper and too much of that paper ends up in the trash. To avoid the guilt of cutting down trees to charm your sweetheart, send an eCard! Almost every eCard site has an option for Valentine’s Day, and it sure beats making a trip to the store. But if your special someone is one of the many Americans who prefer a handwritten card, don’t worry just yet. You can still reduce your environmental impact by choosing a card made from recycled paper or by making your own! When making your own, add to your eco-consciousness by making new cards with old cards and using eco-friendly materials like paper scraps, post-consumer recycled paper, non-toxic glue and markers, and other reusable odds and ends that you already have lying around the house. If you would rather purchase a card, check some of the recycled options at Etsy:
The Flowers
A dozen red roses are definitely romantic, but unfortunately, that conventional dozen tends to come with a load of unnecessary pollutants. The floral industry uses the most pesticides in agriculture, polluting our waterways, our air, and possibly even your loved one. Moreover, many of the flowers sold by retailers in the United States are shipped in from South America adding to the carbon footprint of the bouquet. You can solve this problem by buying a local or organic bouquet. Check your local farmers market at http://www.localharvest.org/ to find fresh or dried blooms. Or you can buy organic flowers through http://www.organicbouquet.com/. When shopping for flowers, you can also look for the VeriFlora certification that ensures sustainable growing (http://www.veriflora.com/).
The Chocolate
Valentine’s Day and chocolate go hand in hand. But unfortunately, for being so sweet, the chocolate industry has been found guilty for its use of pesticides, rainforest destruction, child labor, and poor working conditions on its cacao farms. You can still satisfy your V-Day sweet tooth, however, by choosing organic and fair-trade chocolate. Some certified fair trade options to look out for include: Newman’s Own Organics, Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate, and Rapunzel Pure Organics. If you want to stick to organic chocolate, try: Village Organics, Dagoba, or CocoaVino. To browse more options, check out http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/chocolates-organic-490307.
The Meal
If you haven’t already made reservations for Valentine’s Day dinner by New Years, you may be too late. The restaurant industry thrives on Valentine’s Day, but it can be cheaper, easier, and more eco-friendly to share a candlelit dinner at home. Plan your dinner by buying locally or organically grown foods from your local farmers market or organic grocer. Planet Green offers some simple, at-home recipes http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/valentine-dinner.html. If you are planning to serve wine, make sure you buy organic, sustainable, or biodynamic labels. Some ideas can be found at http://www.organicwinejournal.com/. To add a romantic ambiance (and to cut down on energy use), turn off the lights and use candles. Make sure to buy beeswax or soy-based candles to eliminate excess soot. You can find a good assortment at http://www.beeswaxcandles.com/. If eating at home is not an option, take your sweetheart to a restaurant that supports locally grown food or organic ingredients. For online databases to search restaurants close to you, check out http://www.localharvest.org/restaurants/, http://www.organicfooddatabase.net/organic-restaurants/, or http://www.organichighways.com/.
The Gift
Sometimes your loved one deserves more than the traditional Valentines Day card, flower, chocolate, and dinner gift-pack. If you plan to buy a gift, there are a handful of eco-friendly options to choose from.
• Jewelry: You can find eco-friendly jewelry options at http://www.greenkarat.com/ or http://www.moonrisejewelry.com. For jewelry made from recycled products, check out http://www.wiredresistance.com/.
• Give back: If you are still unsure of what to buy, donate to a cause of your/his/her choice. One good idea is dedicating a tree in his/her name
For more gift-giving ideas, check out the Greeniacs Make it a Green Holiday Season article: http://www.wordpress-837916-4114959.cloudwaysapps.com/GreeniacsArticles/Holiday-Season-Make-it-a-Green.html.
