Alternative Ethical Valentine's Day Ideas

Valentine's Day is one of those "Hallmark holidays" that's been blown out of proportion (how many of us actually know who St. Valentine was?), and the common methods of commemorating it are hardly sustainable or ethical. Roses in February? Imported from Colombia. Boxes of chocolates? More paperboard and plastic than chocolate, plus the cacao was likely harvested by children and others paid low wages. Unfortunately, even fair trade chocolate isn't perfect (see link above).

But.

I love holidays, and even minor "Hallmark holidays" provide an excuse to celebrate. So how do we do so ethically? Here are some alternative ideas for showing love to your significant other, family, or friends.

Go on a small adventure.
...visit a local museum or art gallery, explore a nearby downtown, take a winter hike, etc.

Bake a special treat.
...remember to use fair trade and organic ingredients!

Purchase a fair trade or locally-made gift.
...from places like Ten Thousand Villages or a year-round farmers market.

Send a handwritten letter.
...perfect for long-distance relationships. Or you can hand-deliver it!

Prepare a special surprise meal.
...breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Make and enjoy a meal together.
...as simple as pancakes or as complex as a three-course dinner.

Go out to eat at a locally-owned restaurant.
...look for one that sources local, sustainable ingredients.

Gotta have chocolate? Buy fair trade.
...and encourage other chocolate companies to use ethical and sustainable ingredients.