By Melinda

Valentines Day is coming up and if you plan on celebrating it, here are a few ideas for gifts and activities:

Chocolates: If you like to give chocolate, check out our list of recommended chocolate. Since our dollars are like our votes, vote against child slave labor and pollution of the rain forests by purchasing fair trade and/or organic chocolate.  Some chocolates also offer Rain Forest Certified.  To see the differences, check out our article on Guilt Free Chocolate.

If you are looking for a unique chocolate gift for a chocoholic, check out the Chalk-late box by Askinosie.  For the Half Moon Bay locals, check out a very different gift from Coco-Zen.  Located in Pacifica, California, it is unique in that you can get chocolate truffles packaged in a stainless steel food container!  For other organic truffles, check out Lake Champlain, Nicobella (vegan), Chocolaterra, VeganEssentials (vegan and raw), or the Home Store VivaTerra carries some beautifully painted truffles. If you are in search of other types of chocolate and candy, check out the two organic candy stores we have listed in our Resources section under Holidays.

Flowers: Organic Bouquet is a great service that delivers organic flowers and chocolates to your door.  You order online and choose your delivery date.  I have used them several times for friends and my mother.  The flowers last a surprisingly long time and they are beautiful! The chocolates they offer are organic as well, and they use eco-friendly packaging.  Look for this company to transform the flower industry.

Jewelry: If you are going to buy a gift, vote eco-friendly with your dollars...especially when it comes to jewelry.  There are now recycled jewelry vendors and ethically traded/produced stones and metals. Check out the jewelry listed in our Resources section. For fine jewelry, Brilliant Earth carries ethically traded precious stones and recycled metals.  You might also find jewelry at the Home Stores listed in our Resources section.

Other Gifts: Check EcoExpress for home baked gifts, bath gifts, and gourmet food baskets. Global Exchange offers a variety of fairly traded gifts from around the world such as beeswax candles, stuffed animals, gift baskets, and truffles as well. GreenFeet offers, bamboo fountains, soap gift packs, bamboo cutting boards, and stainless steel food containers. Last but greenest, make a gift for someone.  How about making organic chocolate truffles for someone special, or make a card?

Activities: As for things to do, check out your local organic restaurants and bars for lunch or dinner, take a picnic hike in your local park (don't forget to pack out all your trash), rent an eco-flick such as 'King Corn', or 'Who Killed the Electric Car?'.  Last but not least, make an organic dinner for your someone special and save some energy by eating by candlelight!

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