We all know that red, pink, and white are the traditional Valentine’s Day colors. Red for roses, pink for hearts, and white for…diamonds? This year, try adding green into the mix. Sure, green may clash horribly with the other three colors, but if your sweetheart has an environmental conscious, he/she will surely appreciate your thoughtfulness as much or more than those dozen roses.
To ease your worrying over the perfect gift, we are providing you with some fabulous ideas to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.
1) Jewelry–The slogan of Brilliant Earth Jewelry says it all: Jewelry with a Conscience. Many have heard of the widespread conflicts and violence surrounding the diamond industry. Diamonds and gems from Brilliant Earth are gathered via socially and environmentally responsible practices, utilize recycled gold and silver, and can be custom made to order.
2) Green Meals–The winter months often provide a challenge for those of us who prefer to appease our taste buds with local, sustainable, and organic foods. Fortunately many restaurants, such as L’Etoile in Madison, WI, strive to offer the best seasonal cuisine all year round. To find a green restaurant in your area, visit the Green Restaurant Association. But first, one cautionary tale: Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, so be sure to check for restaurant hours to avoid an embarrassing situation.
Courtesy of Inhabitat
3) Sustainable Chocolate–Chocolate-y indulgences seem to be a staple of this holiday. We certainly won’t judge if you choose to please your sweetheart’s sweet tooth, so long as it is done properly. Consider finding a chocolatier in your area for a unique mix of delicious delights or seek out companies with solid track records, such as Equal Exchange, Dagoba, or Endangered Species chocolate products.
4) Seeds–It’s no secret that roses, lilies, and orchids are not fond of the cold. Instead of giving imported or greenhouse-grown flowers, consider a few seed packets of his/her favorite types. While the effect is not the same as walking into a room with a dozen roses, seed packets will provide hours of couple time as you plant, care for, and enjoy your flowers. If you’re still not convinced, consider this: flowers that remain in-ground last much longer than flowers placed in a vase. Try to find organic seeds, like the ones at the Organic Seed Alliance. And if y’all are wondering, I am quite fond of sunflowers…
5) Poo Paper–For the writer in your life, Mr. Ellie Pooh’s paper is a fantastic idea. This relatively new company was Co-op America’s 2008 Green Business Leader Award Winner. The Poo Paper is 100% recycled: 75% of the product is animal dung with the other 25% made from post-consumer paper. Its wide variety of sizes, patterns, and colors guarantees that you can find the perfect poo product. You know what they say, Mr. Ellie Pooh’s paper is as organic as it gets.
