It’s almost Valentine’s Day! Last year, I took a look at how to make your Valentine’s Day more meaningful by giving your partner a gift aligned with their love language. This year, since so many Valentine’s Day marketers seem to emphasize quantity over quality, I invite you to give a gift that lasts — or at least doesn’t end up draining the Earth’s resources. Don’t get me wrong — I love the sweet, slightly cheesy, expressions of chocolate, flowers, jewelry, and cards. But they can also be incredibly wasteful, as they are often cheaply manufactured and quickly thrown away.
Let’s make a move toward sustainability this Valentine’s Day:
· Chocolate: Did you know conventional chocolate production is fueling wars across the world, engulfing rain forests, spreading toxic pesticides, and paying out meager wages (especially to child workers)? Instead of satiating your partner’s sweet tooth with large boxes of cheap (and, often, unethically produced and sourced) chocolate, opt for a smaller box or bar of fair trade chocolate. Check out Good Housekeeping’s favorite organic and fair trade chocolate brands. It’s a lot less expensive than you might think to make the switch.
Tip: Many chocolate bars now say “rainforest friendly” or “sustainable” on the cover, but not all labels are created equal. Experts recommend seeking out labels with Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, or UTZ certifications.
· Stuffed Animal: While stuffed animals are cuddly and cute, they often end up thrown away or adding more clutter to our homes. Instead, why not tell your sweetie “I like ewe” by purchasing a sheep for a family in a developing country? Or asking them to “bee mine” by adopting a honeybee hive on an organic farm? Oxfam America and ELCA Good Gifts offer many gift choices — animals and otherwise — under $25.
Tip: Worried about showing up empty handed? Both Oxfam and ELCA Good Gifts offer cards you can share with your loved one telling them all about the gift.
· Flowers: Have you ever stopped and considered where your flowers are coming from? If you opt for fresh, look for ones that are sustainably or locally grown. Ask for them to be wrapped in butcher paper rather than plastic. Or give a potted plant or herb with a longer shelf-life that can bring joy throughout the year rather than just for a few days.
Tip: Looking for a really unique, sustainable gift? Purchase paper flowers made from recycled paper, books, or letters. We had these as the bouquets for our wedding. It added a personal touch and my bouquet still looks exactly the same today.
· Greeting Cards: All that paper can be really wasteful. While you’re perusing the racks for just the right sentiment, check the back to make sure your card is made from recycled paper. Or opt for a card that will really make an impact by purchasing one that’s made by a local artist. If you are tempted to get a card just to “get a card,” instead focus on the gift and skip the card all together — or put extra effort into writing a special note for the inside that your partner will cherish into the future.
Tip: Challenge your partner to a card competition by creating cards for one another out of recycled materials. You’ll enjoy the time spent together and make something special that you’ll treasure — or at least get a good laugh in.
· Fancy Dinner: Eat at a farm-to-table restaurant that features local, sustainably sourced ingredients. Many Valentine’s Day meals tend to be decadent and multi-course. Be mindful of food waste and instead bring home a “doggy bag.”
Tip: One of our favorite traditions is making a special dinner at home. Try to choose as many locally grown, sustainable ingredients you can. You may be surprised at what’s available in your area in the winter.
· Jewelry: Invest in jewelry that’s fair trade, ethically crafted, or made of recycled materials. If you can, give your partner a vintage heirloom piece rather than buying new.
Tip: The closer you can get to the artisan the better. Choose a local jeweler who has a strong connection to the place where these jewels are sourced.
This Thursday, Feb. 13, join me Live on Facebook at 8pm Central as I share my favorite frugal ways to say “I love you!” to the people you care about most – not just your partner. Only have Instagram? Don’t worry — I’ll be posting the recording to IGTV later.
Looking for a Valentine’s Day gift that will create intimacy all year long? Join my Date Night Club! Each month I’ll email you a recipe for the perfect money date, complete with icebreaker question, short video, activity, and discussion questions. They’re designed to help you and your partner get on the same page about your finances so you can move forward with confidence. This month I’ll be taking a cue from this week’s post by helping my couples connect their money and their values all year long. Join today!
P.S. Live in the Twin Cities? Give your Valentine something special and jumpstart your financial goals for 2020 by attending my Love & Money brunch on Feb. 29. I’ll help you increase your financial confidence, ease your money communication, and gain clarity on where you are today and where you’re going. You won’t want to miss this!