This post was written by Katie Peige, Herban Lifestyle’s Sustainability Associate
This Valentine’s Day, you can show your love for the people in your life and your planet with eco-friendly gifts and experiences. Herban Lifestyle offers a range of bath and body products that are made with natural, organic, and fair trade ingredients, which you already know from reading this blog. But what about some other Valentine’s Day treats and traditions? Here are some ideas for gifts that are kind to you, your loved ones, and the planet:
• For cards, go paperless with e-cards or get crafty and re-make some cards out of old cards or magazines. Another fun option is to send a grow-a-note card that has seeds embedded in the paper so you can send a card and flowers all in one! Greenfield Paper Company offers a huge selection, as do several Etsy sellers, including girl*in*gear studio, who has some gorgeous plantable Valentine cards. Petco also carries them as does Capitol Hemp, and My Organic Market.
• Flowers travel long distances to get to us, often from South America requiring a lot of fuel. Together with the pesticides needed to grow them, cut flowers can have a very large carbon footprint. This Valentine’s Day opt for a potted plant or an organic, local bouquet of flowers. Check out the very sustainable Green Space for bouquets and plants.
• Show your love for the world and your gift recipients by going with organic and fair trade chocolate this Valentine’s Day. There are many brands with exquisite products, like Divine Chocolate. Mmmm, it’s orgasmic! Remember to look for organic and local wines while you are at it!
• Save water, bathe together! And bring some of our earth-friendly bath products to add some sassy fun to the experience.
• For date ideas, check out the Eat Well Guide to find local and sustainable restaurants in your area or head to the local museums and parks via the Metro system.
• Plan a staycation in the DC area, its all the fun of a vacation only locally and definitely screams green both for the environment and your wallet! Plus, there are many wonderful Smithsonian museums with free admission, all of which are Metro accessible.
• If you do decide to travel, check into a green hotel that seeks to reduce their water use and have a low impact on the environment. You can search for green hotels using the “Green” Hotels Association webpage.
• Give cco lingerie: feel sassy and sexy in organic cotton, organic hemp, organic silk, recycled fibers, or Lenpur, a material made from white pine tree clippings. It’s the gift that satisfies you and your partner and is available for men and women. Check out Treehugger’s guide to sustainable lingerie here.
• Sleep on organic cotton or bamboo sheets. You’ll sleep soundly knowing that your soft as silk sheets have a lower impact on the Planet.
• If this turns out to be one of the most important Valentine’s Day ever, spare yourself from conflict by purchasing responsibly sourced diamonds and fair trade metals. Or go vintage: A family heirloom or beautiful antique ring makes a very romantic statement.
And, of course, check out the Herban Lifestyle website for our fun Valentine gift sets that will really get you in the mood!
Absolutely a great gifts for valentines day.
Fantastic article.
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Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it.
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LOVE the plantable ❤ day cards. what an adorable idea! and those bathroom bonbons look good enough to eat!
http://www.cailenascher.blogspot.com
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I agree! There are many brands of plantable cards, but those are some of the coolest I’ve seen. And thanks for your kind words about the bath bonbons 🙂
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Aren’t those just delicious looking soaps? Lovely!!
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Thank you, Tammy! I’ve come to the realization that a lot of my bath and body products are dessert inspired. It’s a way to indulge without consuming too much sugar 🙂
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They look too yummy to be used up and melted in water!! Great post with so many great green ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
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Thanks so much, Karen! I also enjoy just opening the box and smelling the chocolately goodness 🙂
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Nice job, Katie!
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