{"id":10182,"date":"2011-02-02T14:00:21","date_gmt":"2011-02-02T20:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.sustainablog.org\/?p=10182"},"modified":"2011-02-02T14:00:21","modified_gmt":"2011-02-02T20:00:21","slug":"green-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainablog.org\/articles\/green-valentines-day\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Impress Your Valentine’s Date — Without Emptying Your Wallet"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Heads up guys, it\u2019s February.\u00a0 This means you\u2019ve got limited days and moments within the day to brainstorm some lovely evening\/activity\/meal\/gift\/what-have-you to sweep your certain someone off their feet.\u00a0 Now, I\u2019m not going to tell you that you shouldn\u2019t do any of the above \u2013 and if you do \u201cnot\u201d do any of the above, you cannot use this blog as your excuse.\u00a0 However, I\u2019m definitely going to tell you that the typical approach to Valentine\u2019s Day is not only insanely expensive, it\u2019s pretty darn tough on the environment, and I\u2019d highly advise you to try something new this year.<\/p>\n

While driving the dreaded 55 in Southern Cali not long ago and in an attempt to fend off road rage, I tuned into a local station, upon which the discussion was the cost of first dates.\u00a0 The average<\/em> is now over $100 dollars folks.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t even believe it, so I had to come home and do some Google searches for some research.\u00a0 It\u2019s true!\u00a0 If that doesn\u2019t sicken you, well then, I don\u2019t know what to tell you, other than, oh, by the way: the majority of that $100 went to nothing more than an average dinner (at a non-environmentally friendly restaurant), an average movie and consisted of driving in the car to two separate venues.<\/p>\n

Now, this is $100 on an average first date.\u00a0 You translate that to Valentine\u2019s day: let\u2019s say $125 for a “classier” dinner\/movie and add in some flowers + $26 (probably not organic, and probably grown on some mega farm where the economic footprint is outlandish), maybe even some chocolate + $10 (again, organic? free trade? doubtful), and say, a card (let\u2019s not even get started on the paper waste of V-day cards in just a year) +$3.96.\u00a0 This would be bottom line basic date, right?\u00a0 Total = $164.96.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 2011!\u00a0 Here\u2019s a “how-to-impress your date guide” without emptying the wallet and maybe even doing something good for the earth and air while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n

Green (and Inexpensive) Ideas for Valentine’s Day<\/h2>\n

Green Classes: <\/strong>Sign you and your date up for a green class.\u00a0 These are really catching on lately, and involve ideas like: sustainable cooking; container gardening; paper making; crafting; cheese and butter making, you name it!\u00a0 Laugh and enjoy each other\u2019s company while you develop skills that are useful and beneficial.<\/p>\n

Dedicate Time: <\/strong>Go volunteer at a local shelter serving their dinner that night.\u00a0 You\u2019ll skip the awkward \u201cit\u2019s just us, what do we talk about?\u201d if it\u2019s a first date or close to it, which is always helpful, and you can bond over an experience of giving time and effort.<\/p>\n

Plant something: <\/strong> Plant a tree, start an herb garden for your kitchen!\u00a0 Gather all the tools\/items needed and surprise your date with everything all planned out from start to finish.\u00a0 Start working on that green thumb together \u2013 then see if you can keep it alive!<\/p>\n

Zero Carbon Footprint Dinner: <\/strong>If you live somewhere big enough where this is an option, see if this trend has caught on in your area!\u00a0 Lots of places are now offering menus entirely devoted to local\/seasonal ingredients, organic wines and desserts and even boast a green energy preparation style.\u00a0 Bonus points if you can walk or bike to dinner!<\/p>\n

Home Dinner Date: <\/strong>Go to a local farmers market after work, grab some fun ingredients and head back to your place to cook something crazy and new.\u00a0 Try a totally raw dinner!\u00a0 There\u2019s nothing like enjoying a meal you cooked together.\u00a0 Affordable, and eco-friendly.\u00a0 Follow it up with a rented movie of dancing lessons.<\/p>\n

General tips: <\/strong> Go organic for dinner, whether you make it yourselves or head out.\u00a0 Aim to be outdoors more and indoors less.\u00a0 The less you drive, means the less fuel consumed = less energy consumed.\u00a0 Picnics anyone?\u00a0 Go take a romantic walk at a nearby walking trail or hit the hills for a quick evening hike to catch the sunset.\u00a0 Remember, there are plenty of organic and free-trade options for chocolates, wines and espressos these days!\u00a0 Impress her with your creativity and make the gift.\u00a0 Maybe it\u2019s something you\u2019ve written, perhaps a hand-crafted wood item for the kitchen.\u00a0 If you made it, she\u2019ll love it.<\/p>\n

Looking for meaningful Valentine’s Day gifts with a low environmental and social impact? Check out our selection of Fair Trade jewelry<\/a> — including earrings<\/a>, necklaces<\/a>, and bracelets<\/a> — as well as chocolate<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Image source:<\/strong> istockphoto.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Heads up guys, it\u2019s February.\u00a0 This means you\u2019ve got limited days and moments within the day to brainstorm some lovely evening\/activity\/meal\/gift\/what-have-you to sweep your certain someone off their feet.\u00a0 Now, [ … ]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10251,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[768,4667,19,4780,4781],"yoast_head":"\nGreen (and Cheap) Valentine's Day Date Ideas<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Want to make Valentine's Day romantic and green... without emptying your wallet? 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