Eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas
RRed may be the color most often associated with Valentine’s
Day, but those who want environmentally friendly ways to celebrate
this day of love can tint the occasion with a little green. This
list of earth-conscious Valentine’s Day gifts can provide inspiration
for loving couples.
• Give organic chocolate. Eco-conscious chocolate connois-
planet in mind. Some of the world’s best chocolate is produced
from small cacao farms that do not employ fungicide or in-secticide
in their farming practices. Choose chocolate artisans that
produce their chocolate from responsibly-sourced ingredients
for a sweet Valentine’s Day treat.
• Plant a live gift. A living gift can be a symbol of enduring
love and one that gives back to the environment. Couples can
explore their options at local nurseries and plant a shade tree,
shrubbery or even a fruit tree. This is certainly a gift that can give
every year.
Red may be the color most often associated with Valentine’s
Day, but those who want environmentally friendly ways to celebrate
this day of love can tint the occasion with a little green.
• Write it down. Love notes are a simple, heartfelt gift. Choose
to scribble down sentiments on recycled paper with nontoxic
inks. Give that love note even more traction by framing it for a
lasting gift.
• Adopt an animal. Animal lovers crusade for their favorite
mammals, reptiles and amphibians every day. Rather than exchanging
a stuffed animal on Valentine’s Day that will only take
up space on a shelf or bed, consider saving the life of a real animal.
Conservation agencies can always use helping hands. Donations
can be used to feed and shelter pets or to restore habitats
for wild animals.
• Give living plants. Flowers can express all types of emotions,
but those cut blooms will begin to fade after a few days, espe-
Gifting a potted plant from a local nursery is a more eco-friendly
idea, and one that can last for many years to come.
• Create a free-range, organic meal. Homemade food can be a
nice gesture, especially when cooks select fair-trade, organic and
free-range products. Don’t forget to extend the specialized shopping
to include wine or other beverages that are locally sourced.
• Give gifts of sustainable comfort. Practical but luxurious
linens and clothing made from sustainable materials are great
eco-friendly gifts. Bamboo bedding or organic cotton shirts offer
comfort and promote environmental stewardship.
Gifting green for Valentine’s Day is easier than one may think.
Eco-conscious gifts are a smart idea for anyone who wants to
impart minimal impact on the planet this February and beyond.
Say “I love you”
with music
Mexpre
Music can express many emotions, be a source of
comfort omfort and en
encouragement or simply induce a peaceful
state of mind.
For those looking to express their love for
a special i l
someone, songs with or without lyrics can help
convey such feelings.
Music lovers may greatly appreciate songs chosen
especially for them in honor of Valentine’s Day. Therefore,
as a heart-warming
gift, curate a special selection
of songs that can
be gifted to a loved one.
Even though it’s an inexpensive
way to show
you care, the meaning
behind the gift can be
profound. While “mix
tapes” of the 1990s may
have fallen out of favor,
individuals who
subscribe to streaming
music services can do
something similar by establishing
custom playlists.
Look to options
such as Pandora, Amazon
For those looking to express
their love for a special someone,
songs with or without
lyrics can help convey such
feelings.
Music, and Spotify for inspiration.
For those who want to go a little further, upload audio
versions of several songs and create a YouTube video
montage featuring meaningful photos.
When considering which songs to include, think
about “Endless Love,” which Billboard places in the No.
1 spot on its list of the top 50 love songs. This song remained
at the top of the charts for nine weeks in 1981 and
features the vocal talents of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross.
FLORIDA WOMEN MAGAZINE 813.682.9364 JAN/FEB 2019 • 33