A Sustainable Valentine’s Day

GREEN LIVING

A SUSTAINABLE VALENTINE’S DAY

While I know many people steer clear of the dreaded Valentine’s Day all together, whether it’s the marketing intentions behind the “made up” occasion or the pressure to impress a loved one. Nevertheless, any excuse to celebrate love is a good one, here are some earth lovin’ ideas for the day.

1. If you want to give flowers, find some that are grown locally or go to a florist who carries organic flower choices. A potted flowering plant is a better choice than fresh cut as it won’t just die and need to be thrown out in a few days. Or take it to the next step and give a small flowering tree to plant, it’s sure to mark the occasion and be remembered for years to come.

2. Share a nice meal out together and in our community; it’s easy to find a restaurant that makes sustainable choices by preparing meals from only locally raised, organic foods.

3. Fair trade chocolate. Really there is no reason to support big corporate, conventional chocolate companies with many local options for high quality, organic, fair trade chocolate treats. Plan a chocolate fondue for dessert and you never know where else that melted chocolate might end up!

4. Plan a romantic getaway weekend, but consider the carbon footprint by sticking relatively close to home and look for a hotel or B&B that boasts “green” or “eco” practices, there are lots of them.

5. Give sustainable gifts. Stay away from something with a limited or novelty use that will just end up getting tossed out. We all have too much “stuff” so consider giving something that offers an experience instead; spa gift certificate, brunch with friends or family, theater or music tickets…

6. Have the house professionally cleaned by an eco-friendly cleaning company, shameless plug here, but I really do hear so often that having the house cleaned is just the best gift. For your guy, if the house isn’t his domain, have his car cleaned inside and out.

7. Shut out the lights and use your imagination! It doesn’t cost anything and saves electricity too.

Love the earth and love each other too, Happy Valentine’s Day.

Tracey Hanson, local mompreneur and green cleaning professional