Forget the color red for Valentine's Day think GREEN!

"Cactus's are Green and the Sky is Blue, I got this little Eco Gift - just for you!" ~eco_enviro_girl

Who said Valentine's Day has to be about Chocolate, Roses and Stuffed Toys? Sure it's classic, but it's also redundant, wasteful and not at all creative or personal. So why not make this Valentine's Day something to remember?

Creativity goes along way... Personally, I think that the show of affection which symbolizes Valentine's Day should be an ongoing experience throughout the year! We should always show love and appreciation for the wonderful people in our lives! It doesn't take a lot of money, it also doesn't mean we should create waste and more items that ultimately end up in our land fills. I think it's very hypocritical to pollute our planet and future with more consumerism when what we are saying with the gift is "I love you", the reminder of the love we share for one another, love of everything and everyone, respect for our loved one's and their future... So I created this little blog to inspire, and to perhaps give you ideas of alternative gift giving ideas you could try this Valentine's Day as well as throughout the year for a little added romance...

GREEN IDEAS FOR ROMANCE & LOVE

CANDLELIGHT PICNIC FOR TWO...

Why not get some Organic Strawberries and a bottle of Local Organic Wine and set up a romantic picnic for two in the bedroom? Perhaps you could buy some beeswax tea light candles and set a romantic mood... And maybe after the bottle is emptied you could play "spin the bottle" and make up new rules to the game?

CANDLELIT BATH FOR TWO... "Rub-a-dub-dub there's some organic stuff in the tub..."

Forget sitting in a chemical bath with your mate, why not try adding some Epsom salt, some essential oils and some beeswax candles to set the mood? You could make some organic Lavender and Chamomile sachets and use them like teabags in the tub.... If you don't have Lavender or Chamomile, why not try Organic Peppermint teabags instead (make sure to remove the teabags before your honey comes into the tub - it's not very romantic to have teabags floating around as you cuddle, and the great thing is teabags are compostable!)

MASSAGE-A-DEUX

There's nothing like getting a massage! What's even better is getting one by a lover... You can use Organic Massage oils or be even more Green by using organic olive oil and a few drops of organic essential oils instead. Take time to pamper one another... Play some soft, relaxing music, light some beeswax candles and enjoy... And remember you can always follow up this great idea with the bath for two, or precede it with the romantic picnic mentioned above...

LOVE LETTERS

This is something you can do anytime of the year just to say "I love you"... Leave little letters (on scrap pieces of paper - recycle) in pockets, briefcases, car seats, glove box, shoes, etc... The sky is the limit!

GREEN IDEAS FOR FRIENDS & FAMILY

xoxoxo BREAKFAST HUGS & KISSES xoxoxo

Ah, this one is great for family or friends! It's easy and it's sure to get some smiles! Invite friends and family for breakfast and serve up some X's & O's you can make toast into O's, Bacon into X's, Pancakes into hearts.... Get creative! You can use fruits, veggies, nuts, anything you like... This is the perfect start to any Valentine's Day - some great conversation, lots of love and plenty of hugs and kisses for everyone! ;~)

I LOVE YOU LUNCHES-BUNCHES!

One of my favorites for my young son, I have small heart shaped cookie cutters and cut his lunch into heart shapes. You can go as simple or as creative as you like here... I have cut cheese into mini heart bites, made an organic peanut butter sandwich into a heart... I have even made my husband a sandwich and cut a small heart out of the top of the bread and inserted the same sized cut out heart shape made with a radish! When he saw the sandwich at work he told me he laughed and it reminded him of how special I was and how he felt lucky to have someone like me...

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

There's nothing like cooking with fresh herbs! There are so many heirloom varieties to choose from these days and they are all delicious and eco-friendly! This year my young son and I are painting some pots we bought at a second hand store and filling them with herbs for my parents. Kids love to get involved and these make a beautiful one of a kind gift that is sure to bring a smile to any grandparents face....

CHARITY

Love makes the world-go-round... Holiday's are not so much about getting as they are about giving... So why not help out a less fortunate child in another country? Or give to a local charity, like abused women's shelters, the humane society, or a children's hospital. Perhaps volunteer some time with a loved one and go to a soup kitchen or event that can use a hand... You will appreciate each other more and realize that material things don't really matter when you have good company and the love of one another!

REUSE & RECYCLE

You can reuse virtually anything with a little imagination ;~) You can create anything from sock puppets to wall art to jewellery to.... You get the idea.... During the year I keep a recycling bin full of craft material, I toss in things I know we could use for arts and crafts... You can make one of a kind handmade gifts that your family and friends are sure to love! A few years back I made some puppets from old sweater arms, some buttons, and some old shoe laces that broke.... We had a blast and my friends son loved it! He carried the puppet everywhere!

TEA PARTY

Why not have a tea party? Invite friends and family, make several new flavors of organic tea, and have a taste test... You could talk about funny family stories, talk about relatives that may live further away, reminisce about all the wonderful times and memories you've spent together over the years... What a perfect Valentine's Day.... Remembering the love, joy, and sharing laughter - nothing brings family's closer together than a wonderful family gathering....

These were just a few of my ideas.... I have many, many more.... I hope I have managed to inspire you, give you an idea or two... From our family to yours - we wish you and your loved one's a special and memorable Valentine's Day..... EVERYDAY!!