Green your Date Night and Show Mother Nature a little love this Valentine’s Day
Are you the Grinch who stole valentine’s? Do you say Bah Humbug to romance? We get it; you hate the smultzy commercialization of love. Still, a day that is dedicated to telling people that you love them is pretty cool, but you don’t want your love to be defined by Hallmark. There is a way to get your romance on without spending a fortune, while saving the planet and impressing the pants off your date. Here are the secrets to a greener, happier Valentine’s day.
Roses are red
Growing 12, 000 red roses emits 35, 000 kg of CO2 into the atmosphere. With 55 million roses traded globally on Valentine’s Day, the roses in your Valentine’s bouquet are definitely not the greenest choice to make. Instead, consider buying your Valentine a tree for donation like those at Friends of Trees. Donated trees are planted in existing forests and dedicated to your loved ones. Do that every Valentine’s day and, in time, you can actually create your own forest.
Cut the card
The paper industry contributes about 10% to global carbon emissions which is about 3 times the emissions of the aviation industry. Don’t add your two cents by buying a Valentine’s Day card, even if it is made from recycled paper. Write a personal note instead, or a sonnet or a love letter in invisible ink (get the recipe here).
Guilt-Free Chocolate
Forget those heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and opt for a fair trade variety instead. You can melt your fair trade chocolate for use as body paint or a fondue to make it a more personal gift.
Strawberry fields
Chocolate covered strawberries are sublime, but only until you realize that those fat little red hearts come from far flung farms and pack one hell of a carbon footprint. Instead, try chocolate covered locally grown fruits.
Make it your own damn self
Everyone loves the thought and care that goes into a gift you make yourself. Especially when its also really awesome. We have nearly 49 different gifts you can make from stuff you already have in your home. Try these awesome upcycled gift ideas or a recipe from our YouTube channel.
How about something unique or green for a gift? Like a gift certificate for holistic therapies e.g. health spa or massage?
great idea to celebrate the valentine day with more love and less use of money.