Will You Be Ours?

The Palisadian-Post has partnered with locally founded environmental nonprofit Resilient Palisades to deliver a weekly “green tip” to our readers. This week’s tip was written by Sheda Morshed and Ryan Craig.

Although the history of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery, February 14 is welcomed by many as an opportunity to celebrate loved ones. With all the stress of the past two years, doesn’t the idea of making a big hoopla about the special people in your life sound exciting? And don’t fret: there’s no need to fall into the Valentine’s consumer marketing trap.

You can celebrate one and all, with mindfulness:

Flowers: Skip those tired (and pesticide-ridden) roses for a stunning bouquet of locally grown flowers. Roses are grown thousands of miles away and transported across continents in refrigerated trucks to prevent wilting. It’s estimated that the 100 million roses grown for a typical Valentine’s Day in the U.S. produce an estimated 18,000,000 pounds of CO_2. 

Chocolates: Unethical labor, the use of child labor, and forest destruction are three of the top issues surrounding conventional chocolates. Only three nonprofit labels—Utz, Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade—will guarantee you’re not supporting the behind-the-scenes ugliness. Luckily, stores across town are filled with one or more Valentine chocolates that have one of these seals of approval. And don’t forget the fancily delicious vegan alternatives!

Cards: Look for cards that are 100% PCW (post-consumer waste), ideally with nontoxic or soy ink. And skip the glitter. Peruse The Little Market, Diesel Bookstore, and other small shops to show your loved ones that you care about them and humanity.

Gift an experience: As we can all attest, our lives are dimmed when devoid of new experiences. So why not skip material gifts and wasteful packaging for an experience that’s near and dear to their heart? Whether it’s a museum membership, a cooking class, a trip to a local winery, a trip to a local wildlife sanctuary, or a getaway, nothing says I love you more than a mutually-shared experience that has limitless potential for a lifetime of memories. Just be sure to “go green” where possible, from zero-waste options to carbon offsets and reusable water bottles.

If you still prefer to buy a gift, support local by avoiding big box stores: This helps your neighbors by keeping money in our community. Look for popup events, like Rustic Canyon restaurant’s Valentine’s Day Bazaar on February 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., featuring all-women artisans and offering fresh flowers, organic and certified chocolates, organic candles and beauty products, and stoneware and porcelain ceramics.

We love our town’s unique setting, sandwiched between the mountains and the sea. If your loved ones are fond of nature, consider helping preserve our natural community for future generations with an annual pass to our local parks or a donation to Resilient Palisades.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Pacific Palisades!