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Did You Know?
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Valentine's Day, whether you celebrate it or scowl at its existence, is just around the corner. If you're like the average shopper, you're not even thinking about what to get that special person in your life quite yet. Lucky for you, we've got a list of gift ideas that are sure to please your loved ones and the planet as well. Although Valentines Day is about the one you love, it’s okay to spread that love around when it comes to the environment.
The History of Valentine's Day
Every February 14th is celebrated in the name of Saint Valentine. Exactly who he was and why he was chosen to symbolize a day known for love and romance is still a mystery. Several theories have been tossed around over the years, the most common opinion being he was a priest sentenced to death for his Christian beliefs in the third century. There he met his jailor's young daughter and fell in love. According to legend, he wrote the young woman a goodbye letter and signed it "From your Valentine."
Another theory has Valentine as a priest who ignored Emperor Claudius II rule that young men could not marry. The ruler believed that single men made better soldiers then ones with wives and children. Valentine was jailed because he he continued to marry any young couple that came to him. It was also thought that the saint was killed while attempting to free Christian prisoners who faced torture and death in their Roman prisons. Despite which tale of Saint Valentine is true, these stories all prove the man's heroics and romantic sentimentalities.
It is believed that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the saint's death. Historians think differently, believing that Valentine's Day is celebrated on the 14th as a way to replace a pagan festival honoring Juno, the pagan goddess of love and marriage. During the festivities a number of rituals took place for purification and fertility. The sacrificing of goats and dogs was usual as was the ritual of men drawing the names of women they would court for marriage. These actions were deemed immoral and banned in Christian societies. In its place, the exchange of handwritten notes and small trinkets were encouraged as a way to celebrate love and Saint Valentine.
Information gathered from History.Com's History of Valentine's Day.
Perfect (and Green) Valentine's Day Gift Ideas & Tips
For many people around the world, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to show their loved ones just how they feel. Just don’t be afraid to share that love with the planet! By taking the time to consider what you do and what you buy, that little bit of extra love and care will mean the world, well, to the world! Here are a few ideas of how to have the best, eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ever.
* Cards made from recycled or tree-free paper are the best choices when purchasing a card for your honey. Even better, hand-crafting your own Valentine by using images of magazines, newspapers and other miscellaneous resources you would have trashed, or hopefully, recycled. downBound sells a Valentine's Day card printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with soy ink that sprouts wildflowers. Now that is worth the buy!
* E-cards are excellent alternatives to paper products that are fun and easy to send. Who wouldn’t love to have a humorous or heartfelt message waiting for them amidst their work or school-related emails?
The Nature Conservancy, Blue Mountain and Hallmark are just a few places to find e-Valentines. Or visit care2 for their e-cards that “spread love and laughter while saving the world.”
* You can never, ever go wrong with chocolates. Yet not every bar or box of chocolate are alike. When buying your sweet some sweets, look to see whether it is organic, fair trade and/or Rainforest Alliance certified. When labeled “organic” you are assured that your chocolate hasn’t been sprayed with synthetic pesticides and fertilizer. “Fair trade” means that farmers were given a fair price for their cocoa. Chocolate is shade-grown crop, making it more profitable for farmers to preserve the rainforest instead of cutting it down – these items are certified by the “Rainforest Alliance.”
For the best locally-made, organic and fair trade chocolates, try Endangered Species Chocolate with 10% of the net profits donated to support species, habitat and humanity.
Visit The National Geographic's Green Guide's Product Reports for more information on why purchasing eco-friendly products are your best bet.
* When reaching for the bouquet of roses, check to see whether they are organic and/or locally grown. Conventional cut-flowers aren’t as green as you would like to think. Almost 70% of cut-flowers sold in the United States are imported, leaving behind chemical residue that has preserved the flowers and a large environmental cost due to transportation (Sierra Magazine’s article, “The Hidden Life of Cut Flowers”).
Visit Local Harvest to find a local, organic flowers shop near you or check out the organic, fair trade bouquets that can be found at FTD and 1800Flowers. The Organic Bouquet and The Nature Conservancy have teamed up to offer you a bouquet of fragrant Oriental lilies that comes with a vase and a 5% donation to the organization.
Instead of flowers that will wilt away within a week, buy plants, herbs or trees that can be planted and enjoyed all year round as a reminder of your love.
* Jewelry is always a popular Valentine’s Day present. Before going just anywhere, consider purchasing from a jeweler who is certified buyers and sellers of precious metals and gemstones that have been found in an ecologically and socially responsible manner.
Brilliant Earth offers pieces made with conflict-free diamonds and fair trade platinum and gold jewelry. greenKarat sells jewelry made by recycled gold and will reuse your old and unwanted jewelry to make you a new ring. Or consider something really different and funky with a handcrafted necklace or ring from a number of artists at Etsy.
* Other favorite Valentine’s Day gifts range from perfume to sleepwear. Yet there are better, more sustainable products that can be found if you look around. Global Exchange, Fair Trade Gifts, Ten Thousand Villages, Humanitaire, World of Good and Pristine Planet are just a few examples of online stores that offer incredible gifts that are environmentally friendly and socially conscious. Look for similar items in local shops if you can so you wouldn't have to worry about shipping and extra costs.
* Gift certificates don’t normally make great presents. However, a gift certificate for a massage or health spa treatments is a different matter altogether. Research the place before-hand to make sure your partner would be comfortable, and that the products are just as safe for the environment as they are for him/her.
Better yet, share the experience together. Other great gifts to experience together would be taking a cooking or dancing class. Tickets to a local museum, concert or play are also great ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day together.
* Take a hike! No, really! If the weather isn’t too frightful, go outside and enjoy all the beauty the world has to offer. Visiting wildlife reserves, state parks and nature preserves not only gives you the opportunity to appreciate nature with the one you love, but it also helps support the managing on such establishments. Check out our list of nature preserves for ideas as to where to go.
* Give the gift of giving to an organization that means something to your partner, family member or friend. Donations, gift memberships and adopting land and animals that need protection are thoughtful, compassionate gifts that anyone can appreciate. The Nature Conservancy, WWF (World Wildlife Federation) and Project Concern International are just a few organizations to consider. Check out your local land trust, wildlife reserve and other charities that can use some love as well.
* Have a romantic dinner at a local restaurant specializing in organic or locally grown foods. Eating locally cuts down on food miles, so it’s better for the environment. Or make a special dinner at home using organic and locally grown foods. Visit Happy Cow or Local Harvest for restaurants and grocers near you.
* There’s nothing wrong with a little mood lighting. Instead of reaching for those paraffin candles, choose soy or beeswax candles. Paraffin candles give off soot and carcinogens. Soy and beeswax candles are non-toxic, biodegradable and are more animal and child-friendly than traditional candles. Some candles, an organic wine or beer, and one of the top 25 romance movies of all time creates a cozy date right at home.
Other Green Valentine's Day Gift Guides
The Nature Conservancy's Green Gift Guide and Be a Mean, Green Love Machine
TreeHugger's Green Valentine's Day and 50 Ways to Please Your Lover
Co-op America National Green Pages - the nation's only listing of screened and approved green businesses
Visit Consumer Report's Greener Choices to learn about the labels found on "green" certified products and articles concerning hot topics and solutions for a greener planet.
Take a Lighter Footstep and go green!
New American Dream says Go Ahead, Be a Cheap Date, just do it smartly.
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Graphics & Photo © EC Blando.
