Eco-friendly, anti-consumer Valentine’s Day fun
February 9th, 2010
Photo via Flickr: Clean Wal-Mart
Most of you know by now that I’m not really big on buying things just for the sake of buying, even if those things are eco-friendly. There’s an interesting theory out there that the biggest contributor to global warming is not the incandescent bulbs in our homes or the gasoline in our cars — it’s all the stuff we buy.
Even so, I admit that when it comes to Valentine’s Day, part of me says, What a load of consumerist crap; while the other part of me says, Hey, where’s my chocolate? I’m not a total grinch, after all. And I do love chocolate.
But when it comes to the Valentine’s green gift guides floating around out there in the blogosphere, a lot of the stuff makes me cringe. Organic flowers shipped across the country? Panty sets made from recycled pine tree fiber? I hate to see green reduced to little more than a creative marketing tool.
Instead, why not use your own creativity to plan a thoughtful V-Day for your sweetie, without buying something you don’t need (even if it is green)? A few fun ideas:
Breakfast in bed. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better way to pamper someone than the classic, home-cooked B in B (to my husband: hint, hint!). Some delicious and festive ideas: eggs benedict with red chile hollandaise, heart pancakes, or a french toast casserole.
Romantic picnic. If you live somewhere warm, pack a cooler with tomato and mozzarella sandwiches, a bottle of wine, and a chocolatey dessert. Then, hit your local state park or beach for a picnic. If you’re in a colder climate, pack it all in a basket and spread a blanket on the floor of your living room for an indoor outing. (Nice touch: Download a “nature sounds” track from iTunes to play in the background.)
Movie marathon. Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, so why not whip up a big batch of spicy cinnamon sugar popcorn and crawl back into bed for a rom-com movie marathon? (Or go for an anti-V-Day flick fest; check out the Syfy channel’s scary lineup for this Sunday.) Of course, you can also rent DVDs from your local library, video store, or use Netflix on demand.
Cupid cocktail party. If you’re single or just feel like adding more merriment to the mix, why not invite over a few friends and whip up a big batch of Valentine’s-inspired libations? Cut costs by making it a potluck: Ask each guest to bring a favorite drinking snack.
And the best part about all of these ideas: They’re perfect for all you procrastinators (myself included) who haven’t yet decided what to get your honey for Valentine’s Day!
–Jennifer Grayson
Do this now: Oh, and don’t forget to send Valentine’s e-cards instead of paper cards to your friends and family. Check out the stylish ones at Cocodot.
Related posts:
How to give gifts without giving ’stuff’
Green goods
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February 9th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Great post! DH and I aren’t “gift” people, so usually around Valentine’s Day we head out to a paired wine or beer dinner at a local winery or brewpub. That way we’re not buying material things but spending time together and supporting our local food sources!
February 9th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Thanks, Wendy. I totally agree with you — my husband and I would much rather treat ourselves to an evening out than buy each other gifts. And it’s so important to support local businesses any way you can. You’re helping people keep their jobs!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
My husband and I are doing couples yoga on Sunday. Good for us and good for the planet! We are also having friends over and for dessert I’m going to make Bobby Flay’s red velvet cake : )
I too do not like buying stuff for the sake of giving a material present. Have you seen the Walmart commercial promoting their “Valentine’s Day Center”? Materialism at its worst!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Jen,
Love the suggestions of things to do vs things to buy. Experiences are the best gifts…and little things like a cup of coffee in bed don’t have to be once-a-year ideas.
Though I have to admit,I’m torn on the e-cards. I have saved the V-day (and B-day) cards my mom and dad have sent. I love opening the box each year and looking at the old ones while adding the new one. E-cards just don’t have the same feeling.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
I hear you, Marcia. I’m the worst — I throw out almost everything. Compromise: Cards made from recycled paper!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Couples yoga? You guys are too cute, Andrea. And red velvet is my husband’s favorite. Yum! Here’s the Bobby Flay recipe for anyone who’s interested (I don’t know who wouldn’t be):
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/red-velvet-cake-recipe/index.html
Have not seen Walmart commercial, but I assume the photo in my post is of that Valentine’s Day Center!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
I agree with Marcia about ecards not being the same. I don’t send out Christmas cards to a mass of people (although once I have a baby I’m sure my feeling about that will change), but I do send birthday and other holiday cards to those people who I know really appreciate them and will look at them time and time again. If the person saves the card and gets continued pleasure from it, it doesn’t seem like such a waste. Another idea is to make a card out of recycled materials. I had a whole bunch of envelopment paper and cards leftover after my wedding so I gave them to my sister for her 1st grade class to use to make their own holiday cards.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Eeps! I mean I recycle almost everything, of course.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:44 am
When I got home Wednesday, Kevin surprised me with impromptu reservations to our favorite restaurant, a tiny organic, slow food Italian restaurant that we can only afford to go to every now and then. There we had food so amazing that we were practically bouncing in our seats with gustatory ecstasy. (He had fresh spinach gnocchi with sage and butter, and I had a smoky, rich pasta with porcini mushrooms and herbs.) So much better than kitschy pink heart crap!
In previous years, I’ve drawn him anatomically correct hearts, complete with aorta and blood vessels. In full color. Die hard romantics we’re not.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:53 am
What a sweetheart! What’s the name of the restaurant and where is it?
February 12th, 2010 at 11:00 am
La Tigelleria in Campbell, CA (right outside San Jose). It’s where we go when we want food we could never make ourselves. If you’re ever in town, you should go! http://www.tigelleria.com/
February 12th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Yum! Looks amazing. Thanks for letting us know about it!
February 12th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Wow-Campbell, CA. What a small world. My husband and I are house hunting in the San Jose area and our top two areas are Willow Glen and the area just east of the Pruneyard and north of Dry Creek Road, in Campbell. I’ll add that restaurant to our list. Thanks!
February 12th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Small world, indeed! If you go to La Tigelleria, be sure to call ahead to make a reservation (same day is usually OK). It’s small, and they schedule each table in 2 hour blocks, so reservations are a good idea.