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Ah, Valentine’s Day. It’s a day full of love, presents, and well… a lot of not so environmentally friendly wastefulness. Millions of children will give out Valentine’s on February 14 only to thrown them in the trash two days later, and adults are guilty of this kind of behavior as well. Many will go out and buy mass-produced chocolates in cardboard boxes and flowers doused in polluting pesticides. With a tiny bit of thoughtfulness and love, however, Valentine’s Day can be an eco-friendly holiday!

Let’s start with those paper Valetine’s cards mentioned earlier. If you absolutely can’t say no to those adorable pink hearts, try to find some printed on recycled paper. Of course, an even better option is to send an e-card! There are hundreds of free websites that allow you to pick a fun card design and type out a personalized message to your loved ones.

As for those fattening factory-produced chocolates, try doing something truly sweet and baking some organic goodies for the special people in your life instead! If slaving over the stove isn’t your style, then take a trip down to the local organic food store and buy something yummy. These treats will taste even better when your loved one realizes they’re not only good for him or her, but for the environment as well. For an added flourish, you can place the treats in a cookie tin or other pretty box you have lying around the house.

While you’re checking out all the goodies the local store has to offer, be sure to check out the plant section too! Buying your loved one a beautiful flowering plant or some windowsill herbs is much more thoughtful and long-lasting than purchasing a bunch of overpriced, dead flowers.

Another great gift idea is to give one of the adorable teddy bears or stuffed animals that can be found at earthritefiber.com. These cuddly creatures are filled with a special, recylable fiber that will make everyone happy to have you as a Valentine’s friend.

If your special someone happens to be as environmentally conscious as you are, donating a small amount to an environmental charity in his or her name is another fabulous gift idea. This will show that you care enough about him or her to want the world he or she lives in to be a better, healthier, and more beautiful place.

Valentine’s Day should be about caring for and nurturing all the special relationships in your life, and what could be more important than the relationship you share with your planet? Celebrating Valentine’s Day in an eco-friendly way is one of the best ways to show real, unselfish love, and after all, isn’t that what this day is really all about?