With Valentine’s Day coming up, love is totally in the air. You might already be thinking about how you’ll make your special someone feel totally loved this February 14th -- what to buy them, how you’ll express your feelings in a card to them, how you’ll try to surprise them.
But perhaps even more important than what you give to your loved one is how you’ll spend the day together. Spending quality time together away from kids, work, and other responsibilities is a great way to rekindle the flame of your love and to make Valentine’s Day feel extra special.
These sustainable date night ideas are a few of my favorite ways to spend a night out with my husband in a responsible, eco-friendly, AND totally romantic way.
Embrace your inner chef and cook a delicious meal together. Cooking at home allows you to have total power over exactly what ingredients go into your meal and what ingredients don’t -- you don’t have that luxury when you eat out. Plus, it gives the two of you the chance to bond and work together. Try a new vegan recipe together, and don’t forget dessert! Just try to send your kids off with a babysitter, so you can spend a romantic evening focused on only each other.
One of my absolute favorite thing to cook is Vegan Alternative to the Famous Spanish Torta.
If you live in a warm enough climate, get outside and go on a hike. There’s nothing more romantic than spending time in the great outdoors, all alone with the one you love most. Show the planet a little extra love by picking up any trash you see along the way. You can even bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy in nature -- just remember to pack reusable utensils and dishes.
…and give massages! Set the mood at home by dimming the lights, lighting natural candles, playing soothing music, and using essential oils. Pamper your loved one by giving them a long, relaxing massage in the comfort of their bed. Or, opt for a couple’s massage at a professional spa.
Lace up your skates and embrace the chilly, wintry weather at the ice rink. It’s a sentimental, active way to spend your evening. Get all bundled up, hold hands, and be prepared to laugh and fall a lot (probably). Warm up afterward by making hot chocolate (made from organic, fair trade cocoa, of course.)
Spend the day learning and supporting your community by visiting a local museum. It’s an inexpensive, stimulating date option, one that’s sure to invite a lot of conversation and quality time. Trust me, it’s a totally different experience going on a date to a museum than it is dragging along your kids!
Spend this Valentine’s Day making memories with the one you love, without compromising your eco-conscious mindset and lifestyle.
What are your favorite date night ideas? Let us know in the comments!
]]>Whenever a holiday comes around, Mother Earth always seems to get the short end of the stick.
While using fancy gift wrap, purchasing cards, and buying cheap gifts that aren’t sustainably sourced are common ways of showing your loved ones you care during the holidays, they can have a negative impact on the planet we all share. Luckily, there are better ways! This Valentine’s Day, seek out eco-friendly, fair-trade items to show your loved ones you care.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance -- we’ll include gift ideas for your significant other, but also suggestions for what to give your mom, sister, or your best friend. Because after all, Valentine’s Day should be about spreading love and showing appreciation to ALL the people who are most important to you.
Men can be hard to buy for already -- so it can be a little daunting to add the extra requirement of your gifts being eco-friendly, too. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
A Wooden Watch
Image from www.we-wood.com
Gift the man in your life a non-toxic, chemical-free, eco-friendly watch made of beautiful wood. WeWOOD (Kappa watch pictured above) and Jord are both great places to find watches made of recycled, sustainable hardwood from around the world.
Handwritten Note
Skip the store-bought Hallmark card and write your Valentine a letter from the heart. It’ll mean so much more than a generic greeting card ever could, anyway.
Skip the Gift: Plan a Date Instead
Forget about “stuff” altogether and focus on spending a romantic evening together instead. Find a great recipe online and cook up a delicious meal together. Or, spend some time hiking around in the great outdoors if you have more free time during the day. Quality time can be so much memorable than a perfectly wrapped present (especially if quality time is your sweetheart’s love language!)
Don’t just go on autopilot -- resist the urge to stop by your nearest supermarket and get an overpackaged heart-shaped box of chocolates and an imported, out-of-season bouquet of sad red roses. There are better ways to keep flowers and chocolate a part of Valentine’s Day.
Fair-Trade Chocolate
Image from www.theochocolate.com
Give your sweetheart the gift of fair-trade-certified, non-GMO, organic chocolate. You don’t have to sacrifice pretty packaging -- we love Theo Chocolate’s Love is Love box (pictured) and Chocolove’s romantic, vintage-inspired design.
Live Plants
Image from www.bloomnation.com
Just as beautiful as a bouquet of fresh cut flowers, but they last so much longer. Orchids and lilies are great floral potted options.
Skip the Gift: Indulge in a Luxurious Couple’s Massage
Surprise your sweetheart with a spa day for two. She’ll love having a day to unwind, relax, and spend with you. Gift her a professional massage or treat her to a long massage from you in the comfort of your home.
Cement your status as the favorite child by getting your mom something thoughtful and eco-friendly this Valentine’s Day. She’ll never see it coming!
A Candle
Image from www.prosperitycandle.com
Give your mama a beautiful hand-poured candle that’s eco-friendly and smells amazing. We love Prosperity Candle’s ethically-made, hand-poured candles (Adelaide Candle pictured) and Eco Candle Co’s wide selection.
Heart-shaped Seed Bombs
Image from www.etsy.com
Ditch tired conversation hearts and opt for these equally adorable heart-shaped seed bombs. Simply plant in loose soil, water, and watch them grow. Purchase a customizable gift pack on Etsy (Wildflower Seed Bomb Gift Box from FreeMountainDesigns pictured) or learn how to make your own here!
Skip the Gift: Take Her Out
Take your mom out on a mother-daughter date to her favorite restaurant. She’ll be tickled to get the extra time with you.
Celebrate Galentine’s Day by giving your best girlfriends a little something to show much you care.
Jewelry
Image from www.grupomancin.com
Surprise your BFF or your sis with a beautiful, ethically made piece of jewelry. Our Layered Bar Necklace makes a perfect gift -- it’s modern, yet timeless and understated enough to wear with anything.
Fancy Bar Soap
Image from www.grove.co
Give your friend a gift she’ll definitely use -- an organic ethically made bar soap that smells amazing. We love Grove Collaborative’s wide selection of all-natural soaps. Or, shop small and seek out handmade local options at your nearest farmer’s market.
Skip the Gift: Brunch it Up
Invite your friends out to a Galentine’s Day brunch -- no matter what your love life’s like, you’ll still be able to appreciate and enjoy the company of the gals who’ll always be there for you.
If you want to host a brunch, try out cooking A Vegan Alternative to the Famous Spanish Torta. It's so delicious and you can come up with endless variations.
Still not sure what to give your Valentine? Check out 5 Sustainable Date Night Ideas.
How do you like to keep Valentine’s Day eco-friendly? Got any other great V-Day gift ideas? Let us know in the comments!
]]>‘Tis the season for celebrating, shopping, and gift-giving. The holidays are a great opportunity to shop consciously and support sustainable brands. Whether you’re looking for gift ideas for a friend or compiling your own Christmas list, here are a few of our favorite eco-friendly items that won’t break the bank. Let’s keep Christmas extra Green this year!
1. Gold Bolo Necklace by Mata Traders, $32
This unique, sophisticated necklace is such a thoughtful gift for a friend or loved one. Made of goldtone-plated brass, the Gold Bolo Necklace was crafted by hand at a fair trade cooperative in India.
2. Daily Essentials Trio Bag by Happy Spritz, $30
Give the gift of aromatherapy and beautiful skin. This assorted bag of 30 towelettes features a mix of Happy Spritz’s top three essential oil wipes. Their products are made of 100% natural ingredients and they’re always cruelty-free. Plus, their packaging is so cute (and recyclable, of course!)
3. Lyocell Denim Shirt from H&M’s Conscious line, €19.99
Sustainable style at low H&M prices? Count us in! This basic top is sure to become a staple in any woman’s wardrobe - and it’s made from organic, sustainable materials.
4. Unity Hoop Earring from grupomancin, $42
These classic, simple earrings are a great gift for any friend, mom or sister. Made of 18KT gold-plated brass, the Unity Hoop Earring is ethically handmade in Honduras. They add a touch of effortless style to any outfit.
5. Cozy Day with Tea Gift Bundle by Greenheart, $15
Two gifts in one, this gift bundle is a sweet present for any tea-lover. This bundle comes with a box of 20 tea bags of your choice of four teas (Earl Gray, chai, green, or rooibos) made ethically in Sri Lanka and a large, decorative mug made by hand in Tunisia. And at only $15, it’s a steal.
6. Skin Renewing Face Masks by Uncommon Goods, $25
This organic, luxurious set of organic face masks is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to be pampered. Each kit comes with ingredients for fifteen heavenly-scented face masks. Great for the skin and great for the planet!
7. BEAST Tumbler by Green Steel, $21
This tumbler is so ideal for the avid coffee-drinker in your life. BEAST Tumblers feature maximum insulation, toxin-free stainless steel, and a lifetime guarantee -- meaning they’ll help reduce single-use waste for life. The BEAST Tumbler comes with a lid and two reusable straws, all packaged in a decorative, recyclable gift box.
8. Human Ringer Tee from grupomancin, $36
This casual tee is stylish, comfortable, and inclusive. The ethically-made Human Ringer Tee is a great gift for your loving, socially-conscious friend. Plus, you’ll give seven meals to a child in need by purchasing it.
9. Mosaic Two-Tier Set by Prosperity Candle, $38For a gift that’s sweet, fragrant, and absolutely gorgeous. This two-tier candle set comes with a hand-poured soy and coconut candle in the bottom tin, and a pack of delicious caramels housed in the top. Each Prosperity Candle is ethically made and individually poured-to-order by a former refugee in the United States.
10. Love
Contrary to popular belief, buying things for friends and family isn’t the only way to show your love for them during this season. There are plenty of non-physical gifts you can give - try gifting experiences or treating a loved one to a nice meal out if you don’t want to give them more stuff. And of course, nothing can beat a genuine, thoughtful note expressing your love and appreciation. Money just can’t buy that.
At grupomancin, we believe that style and gift-giving doesn’t have to come at a cost to the environment. As you give eco-friendly gifts this holiday season, you’ll be able to experience the joy that comes from both shopping consciously and giving freely.
Did you love any of the ideas we suggested? Do you have a favorite sustainable brand whose products didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments - we’re always excited to check out other like-minded shops!
]]>Holidays are definitely about family and fun, but they’re also about SHOPPING! And this year being a little different with the pandemic, I wanted to encourage everyone to shop green because everyday is Earth Day, and because we care about future generations. Also we HATE plastic! If you choose to order everything from Amazon, no problem! Try adding “eco-friendly” to all of your searches.
Besides what you can find on Amazon, here is a giant list of green products, broken up by category, to help you have a happy, successful, shopaholic Holiday season:
Amazon's Eco-Friendly Best Sellers
Green Toys These are made of fully recycled plastic AND made in the USA!
Cat and Jack Collection at Target (okay this one makes me cry- they include products for disabled children AND their products are made from recycled plastic. COME ON)
Many of these sites also include more women’s fashion! Yay!
Levi’s Jeans (this shocked me- read about their sustainability practices here)
Ocean Plastic Bracelets BONUS: for every purchase, you are supporting the removal of plastic in the ocean!
Green Heart Shop the food selection is really fun in this one!
Green Home Goods, Gifts, and Office Supplies
Better Life Cleaning Products(you can also order these products from Amazon)
Green Steel Tumblers For your favorite coffee addict!
(honestly who could forget about buying your pets great stuff)
Harry Barker Toys they also have so much more, and all of it is eco-friendly!
P.L.A.Y. Plush toys made from recycled plastic AND donates to the International Fund for Animal Welfare! Win-win.
Also, last but not least, do a little research before purchasing a product! There is probably an eco-friendly alternative out there. The cost may be a little higher, but we are all in a rut right now because we value cheap and fast over slow and sustainable. Just a quick Google before buying can help you lower your environmental impact!
By Lindsay Poss
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