1
Conventional Valentine's Day Gift:
Buy a heart-shaped box of chocolates or other sweet-toothed delights spruced up in pink-red-and-white packaging.
Um...What's Wrong With THAT?
Nothing, except for the fact that many of the raw ingredients used in the most commonly available chocolate assortments are obtained from clear across the globe without exercising fair-trade policies or using sustainable growing practices. Then, think about all of that extraneous packaging which typically ends up being discarded once the treats are all gobbled up. Sadly, this is one perennial Valentine's Day gift that can come with a great deal of baggage when all is said and done.
New Green Valentine's Day Gift:
Sustainable Table claims that of the 3 million tons of cocoa produced each year, all of it is grown in Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Unless you live within 20 degrees of the equator, you can forget about sourcing the raw product locally. The best that you can do to green up the chocolatey treats that you offer to your significant other is to transform imported organically grown cacao into homemade goodies straight from your own kitchen...or support companies like Theo Chocolate and Seth Ellis Chocolatier that take care of all the hard work for you.
If the notion of whipping up something sweet in the kitchen doesn't intimidate you, why not try making an assortment of homemade truffles or other tasty sweet treats which can be packaged in reusable tins, repurposed boxes or tempered glass containers with resealable lids (perfect to use for greener leftovers in the weeks and months ahead)? Some recipes to consider: DIY White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Bark (which can easily be adapted using different types of chocolate and add-ins, Alicia Silverstone's Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups (a dead ringer for the real thing), Fruit-Sweetened Chocolates (for the health food enthusiast), simple 3 Ingredient Oreo Truffles (for the junk food purist), and for those who treat their body like a temple, "Raw" Fudge or homemade "Raw Chocolate" are two perfectly pleasing choices.
If you are more of a store-bought-kind-of-person but would sincerely like to make eco-responsible choices that you can feel good about, then keep your eyes peeled for terms like certified organic, fair trade and vegan which all indicate that the chocolatey gifts you're poised to purchase have far more eco-heart and soul than what you might find from the likes of Hershey's and Nestle. Greener brands to keep an eye out for include Wei of Chocolate, Rapunzel, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Vosges (a personal favorite!) and Equal Exchange.
2
Conventional Valentine's Day Gift:
Buy a bouquet of impossibly perfect flowers sheathed in oodles of tissue paper, cellophane and ribbon -- awww, you shouldn't have!
Um...What's Wrong With THAT?
Consider the carbon footprint of cut flowers which are most frequently grown in massive greenhouses in Southeast Asia, South America and Africa, drawing on sizable amounts of energy to maintain optimum lighting and climate conditions. Prior to being flown in to our neck of the woods on gas-guzzling jets that emit copious amounts of CO2, they are cultivated using multiple chemicals such as methyl-bromide and DDT, many of which are known carcinogens that pollute ground water, compromise local eco-systems and cause serious illnesses and death among workers who handle them on a daily basis. Suddenly, that bouquet doesn't smell quite as sweet, does it?
New Green Valentine's Day Gift:
Once again, DIY comes to the rescue! Offer your sweetie a handmade floral bouquet comprised of artfully arranged recycled blooms made out of repurposed plastic bags, old wool sweaters or origami-folded magazine pages instead! If you prefer sticking with the real deal, then you might want to consider purchasing pesticide-free, organically grown flowers from a local purveyor such as Trader Joes or Whole Foods Market - you can also source your blooms online from California Organic Grower, Local Harvest or Diamond Organics. One last consideration - why not step it up a notch by dazzling your love with a potted perennial that will bloom repeatedly for years to come? Contact local nurseries in your area to see if they carry any organic flowers with roots still attached, or give your local CSA a ring -- they may be able to point you in the right direction.
3
Conventional Valentine's Day Gift:
Buy some slinky unmentionables or a flashy little trinket that will get your main squeeze hot and bothered...until the thrill is gone (sometimes a lot sooner than anticipated).
Um...What's Wrong With THAT?
Hyper-consumerism, that's what's wrong with this picture. Part of being a more conscious citizen is recognizing how our purchasing decisions can make a tremendously positive (or negative) impact on our planet. If the object of your affection respects your desire to live a greener lifestyle, then he or she will appreciate the careful thought and consideration that you gave to your V-Day gift prior to laying down the ka-ching. Top factors that should be in the forefront of your mind include: 1) What kind of shelf life does this gift have? 2) Is it durably constructed? 3) Was it locally produced or shipped from the other side of the globe? 4) Could I make a DIY version that is a lot better? 5) Is the packaging fully recyclable? 6) Does my main squeeze even really want or need this item?
New Green Valentine's Day Gift:
No one wants to waste money, especially in this economy, so think before you buy. Ask yourself, "Is my valentine really going to be as thrilled about using this Jonas Brothers fanny pack in one month...three months...or even in one year?" Not surprisingly, homemade gifts have the potential to stay in our memory banks a lot longer and demonstrate to the recipient that they are truly from the heart.
So, is your sweetheart into fashion or accessories? Do they prefer bath and body care products? Are household goods more up their alley? Here are a few video tutorials to help inspire the DIYer inside of you:
Make A Wallet Using An Old Computer Keyboard
Convert An Old Sweater Into A Matching Shrug & Skirt Set
Make A Hoodie Out Of A Recycled Rock Band Shirt
Make A Playful DIY Monster Hoodie
How To Refashion Tired Old Chuck Taylors
Make A Solar Charging Bag For All Your Nifty Little Gadgets
Make A DIY Custom Sunprint Cork Board & Jewelry Tray
Make a Scarf Out Of an Old T-Shirt
Turn Old Lightbulbs Into A Cool New Flower Vase
Make A DIY Recycled Wine Cork Mud Mat
For even more crafty homemade Valentine's Day gift ideas, take a look at this collection of DIY videos -- there's something for everyone -- or get inspired after reading 3 Fresh Green Ways To Say "I Love You" This Valentine's Day.
Anne Dowell
said on January 27, 2010
Kieran K.
said on January 27, 2010