Celebrate Valentine's Day without stuff
You don't have to splurge on fancy gifts to show your partner how much you care. With a little creativity and some advance planning, you can have a romantic Valentine's Day that's all about celebrating your relationship (not simply accumulating more stuff).
Here are some new twists on old standbys (all are light on the planet and most are easy on your wallet). Choose between DIY versions and store-bought in each category.
Massage
- Give your partner a spa-quality rub. Learn how by watching this short video with tips from a National Holistic Institute teacher. Get instructions for Thai, Ayurvedic, and other styles. A bottle of sensual massage oil is a nice added touch.
- Buy a gift certificate at your local spa. Better yet, book a couple's massage and spend the afternoon together.
Chocolate
- Make mouth-watering chocolate truffles. Mark Bittman says it's "incredibly easy" and not time consuming (an all around win-win). Watch "The Minimalist" at work and get his recipe.
- Buy an Edible Chocolate Box. Your sweetie can eat the box after the delicious chocolates inside are gone so nothing goes to waste. You also can't go wrong with any organic or fair-trade certified chocolate.
Flowers
- Team up with your kids and create a floral watercolor or collage for mom or grandma.
- Sign up for a flower share at your local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program and your loved one will think of you every time she or he picks up these fresh, local flowers. Or give your honey one fresh flower a week for... a month? or two? You decide. Look for buds that are organic or fair-trade certified.
Poem
- Write a poem. Not your thing? Copy one by hand. Visit Poetry Daily for American poetry or search for classic love poems from the likes of Whitman, Cummings, and more at Poetry Foundation.
- Buy a poetry book and read some poems out loud. (Or, for a no-cost option, borrow from the library.)
Treasure
- Have a V-Day date night at the museum and check out the ancient coins and other priceless treasures.
- Pick out interesting or quirky vintage coins at your local flea market, drill a hole at the top, and string onto silk thread. (You can often find coins with holes already in them.)
Dinner
- Prepare a homemade meal using seasonal, local, and organic ingredients. Don't forget the organic wine and beeswax candles!
- Linger over a romantic meal at your favorite restaurant.
Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.
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