A Sweeter, Greener Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a tricky holiday among the Green Crowd. Some hate commercialism and waste…not to mention unrealistic expectations of the men in our lives. But others see it as an opportunity to change consumerism and show a little love to Mother Nature by giving gifts that don’t waste or supporting Fair Trade or eco-conscious businesses.

I must admit, it’s not at the top of my list, but my interest is growing in ways to “go green” on Valentine’s Day. I love the idea of ​​giving vintage gifts. They are from a simpler time, and retro items can give us a nostalgic break from our busy lives. Or the opportunity to share a fun memory from our childhood.

So please forgive any preaching that may appear in these tips for greening your Valentine’s Day. As you probably already know, my advice is always that the “greenest” gift is nothing at all, because who needs more stuff?

But keep in mind, if you’re “at heart” shopping on February 14, we’re glad you came here for advice. Be sure to share with us how you’re straying from the mainstream this year.

flowers

Most of the flowers grown for Valentine’s Day come from small countries with lax environmental standards. The “perfect” bloom is so sought after that some greenhouses use banned chemicals like DDT as pesticides. These chemicals pollute the air where they are used, not to mention the lungs of the low-paid workers who grow them. We then take them to our homes and vacuum them every time we pass the flawless bouquet.

Solution: a brighter bloom

For something that lives longer than a week, give it a flower or potted plant. Think of a stunning orchid or lucky bamboo plant. Lilies and ivy reduce indoor air pollution. If only a bunch of cut flowers will do, go organic.

Chocolate

Nearly 40 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold each year on Valentine’s Day. But at what price? In his new documentary, The Dark Side of Chocolate, award-winning journalist Miki Mistrati shows how children as young as eight are trafficked to work in the cocoa fields of the Ivory Coast for little or no wages.

Solution: Fair Trade Chocolate

Fair Trade certification lets you know that farm families earned a fair wage for their labor and that environmentally sustainable practices were used.

Valentine’s cards

Overall, about a billion cards are sent each year on Valentine’s Day, making it the second busiest card-sending holiday after Christmas. Schoolchildren hand out 20 or more Valentines each. But the commercialism doesn’t stop with the cartoon characters and teen queens featured on the cards, there are also dorks, stickers and other trash can-bound trinkets adorning them.

Solution: Paper cards with recycled or plantable seeds

Coming from a family where our grandmother was a postmaster, we can’t help but wonder what she would think of an electronic card. Yes, she is much greener, but there is something so impersonal about her. It’s a good thing that cards made from recycled paper are easier to find these days. And for the kids, we absolutely adore the plantable seed paper cards.

You can also try a fun project like making friendship bracelets out of plastic bags. What a great substitute for paper Valentines!

jeweler’s

The Blood Diamond movie raised awareness and made great strides, but there is still work to be done to ensure that gemstones and precious metals are sustainably mined and manufactured. And most importantly, that no one’s life is risked for something that is supposed to be a symbol of love.

Solution: Precious and Pure

There are so many choices you’ll never have to step into the mall jewelry store again… Vintage stores, Goodwill, consignment. We love finding a necklace made with shards of glass or porcelain on Etsy or at a local store.

And as always, we love to encourage you to give an experience as a gift. Dining at a restaurant that serves local or organic food, a massage, an outdoor adventure… there are many ways to give the gift of an experience to the one you love.

If you opt for a physical gift, be sure to wrap it green using something you already have lying around, such as a newspaper, a decorative box or basket, or a cloth gift bag.

We’d love to hear your ideas for going green on Valentine’s Day. Tell us about how you’re celebrating in a non-consumer way, or how you’re using the day to support eco-conscious or Fair Trade businesses.