Green is the New Pink: Valentine's Day Picks

I kinda miss elementary school Valentine's Days: mass-produced valentines (of course, my mom helped my sister and me make our own - why wasn't it cool to be thrifty when I was growing up??), covertly passing meaningful candy hearts to the boy you liked, teachers giving up on lessons because the whole class was too hyped up on sugar.  Ah, the good old days.  

If the past two years are any indication, boyfriend and I will most likely open a bottle of champagne to bring out the flavors in our takeout and watch TV - an arrangement I am very satisfied with.  But for those of you looking for goodies for the special people in your life, here are five green/thrifty twists on Valentine's Day Classics.

1. For roses that will last forever, check out the tutorial I found on Pinterest!  Consider using scrap paper or old magazines.

originally found here

2. I received a pack of Theo chocolates in my stocking this Christmas, and I am a fan of their organic, fair trade, sustainably grown concoctions*.  For the adventurous chocolate lover, consider the Ginger Rose & Cherry Pink Peppercorn duo.  If you're trying to show a lady how smooth you are, why not give the Casanova Caramel set?  

3. Tell your girlfriend/boyfriend/bestie/sister/dad/etc what you love about them through Tagxedo.  

this is actually Frida Kahlo.  But you get the idea.

4. With a name like Global Girlfriends, it seems appropriate to buy your gal pal a fair-trade gift from this group and support women's economic empowerment worldwide**.  I nabbed a pair of their earrings - at the local grocery store of all places - that I wear 2-3 times a week.  This Recycled Seatbelt Beehive Handbag is pretty awesome.


5. Love on others: a friend of mine knew his then-girlfriend wasn't really into any of the above items, so they volunteered at a local soup kitchen instead.  What a cool way to celebrate with your family, housemates, friends, or maybe that guy/girl you're interested in...

What are your Valentine's Day plans?

*And no, Theo Chocolate didn't pay me to say this.  They don't even know I exist.

**Same here.