Valentine Gift To Make For My Boyfriend
Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:13:52 +0000
J-lynn
My husband doesn’t get me greeting cards either.
But he does do other special things for me.
He will go out his way to clean the house, for instance. Or take care of the kids (bathe them, feed them, clean up after them) more than usual to give me a break. He sometimes (rarely!) buys me jewelry or flowers…. but never a greeting card.
I buy him greeting cards. Sometimes they are very special, and really say things that I really feel, deep down, from the heart- things I could never have expressed so eloquently. And I hope that they mean something to him. And I long to get a card like that from him….
But you know what? That just isn’t the way he is. And I accept that. And I still love him just the same. And I will continue to buy him the mushy heart-felt greeting cards that I buy him because I think they DO mean something to him, even though he doesn’t feel the need or the want to buy them for me. He does so much more to show me his love. He LOVES me. And I see it in his every day actions!
With Valentine’s Day coming up in just a few short days, you’re either all ready or not at all. If you’re in the second camp, don’t rush out and buy a mass produced Valentine’s Day card and a box of chocolates in a heart shaped box. It lacks character, it lacks creativity, and shows that you’ve put only a little bit of thought into the day… which can hurt how Valentine’s night goes.
So, this year do something a little different. Being green is on everyone’s mind, whether you think it’s a bunch of BS or legit, so why not just try something new? Rather than overpaying for a Valentine’s Day card and that box of chocolates, find something that will save you some money and help the Earth while you’re at it? Here are seven green Valentine’s Day gifts I promise your Valentine will love.
Herb Garden
If your loved one is a foodie, consider getting her a herb garden. Herb gardens are great because they’re very easy to maintain and they can provide you herbs all year round. Fresh herbs pack more flavor than the dry stuff and you don’t have to waste money on the packaging and processing the company does. Not only is it going to be cheaper in the long run but the flora will be a constant reminder of just how thoughtful and sweet you are. If you need some help keeping the plants alive year round, I recommend taking a look at this resource on indoor gardening.
Take A Hike (Together!)
If your honey is the outdoorsy type, why not go on a hike? Depending on how the weather is this weekend, it might be a great weekend for a short hike through a national park. It will usually cost you absolutely nothing to savor the outdoors and do a fun little walk through the woods. Where ever you decide to hike, be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and maybe even a picnic lunch.
If you’ve hiked everything around you and are looking for more adventure, check out Jeremy Smith’s Clean Breaks: 500 new ways to see the world. From the review: “This book is packed with off-the-beaten-track adventures that minimize environmental impact. Flipping to any page to find a prospect like Walk with rhinos at Leshiba or Pick a Papaya in Sri Lanka makes for lush material for either planning or daydreaming. –Sierra Magazine’s blog.”
Clean Up Her Place
Who doesn’t like coming home to a clean house or apartment? Whether you live with your Valentine or not, everyone loves not having to clean up after themselves so why not go the extra mile and clean up her place? Stop by your local store, pick up some environmentally friendly cleaners, and freshen up the place.
Depending on how close you are with your Valentine, you want to exercise a bit of discretion in what you decide to clean up. If you don’t live together, stick to common areas like the living room, kitchen and open bathroom areas. If you do, everything is fair game. Exercise your brain cells on this one, you don’t want to go where you haven’t been invited.
Make a Philanthropic Donation
What do you get someone who already has everything? Perhaps a donation to a green charity is the right gift to give this year. Some popular green charities include Charity: Water, Conservation Fund, Heifer International, Global Green, and The Nature Conservancy. Before donating, review the charity on Charity Navigator (here is their list of charities in the Environment category).
Skip Hallmark, Make Your Own Card
Skip the store bought Valentine’s Day card, which is usually printed on virgin paper, and try making your own this year. Not only will you save money, you will create a unique masterpiece that showcases your creativity – something a $5.99 Hallmark card will never be able to achieve. Don’t have any good ideas for a card? Not a problem, I find that spending a few minutes looking at children’s Valentine’s day cards will give you all the inspiration you need to come up with something special for your girl. Check out Disney Family Fun’s Valentine’s Day Cards and Kaboose’s Homemade Valentine’s Day Cards should give you plenty of ideas.
If you aren’t the arts and crafts type, consider writing a love letter or a poem!
Massage
There are very few people in the world who don’t like massages… and I feel bad for everyone one of them. For this gift, you can go one of two ways, neither of which are any better or worse than the other. You can either go to an ecofriendly spa for a couples massage or simply pick up a few bottles of organic massage oil. While going to the spa lacks a bit of the intimateness, at the end of the day a massage from a professional will leave you relaxed and happy. If you’ve never been to a spa before and don’t know the difference between a Swedish Massage and a Myofascial Release (isn’t that such an unfortunate name for a massage?), this Huffington Post article should help.
Cook a Romantic Dinner
The romantic candle-lit dinner is the pinnacle of a green Valentine’s day gift that is both thoughtful and sustainable. Anyone can call up a restaurant and make a reservation, but to throw on an apron to make a good meal takes preparation, thought, and skillful execution. You can go the route of preparing the entire meal on your own or include the cooking as part of the fun. If your girlfriend or wife enjoys cooking as much as she enjoys your company, including her is a sweet way to spend more quality time together. Try to pick foods that are as fancy as what you’d get in a restaurant and go out on a limb.
Bonus tip: If you dine by candlelight, you’re saving on electricity too!
If you’ve never done it before, give it a try. I guarantee your significant other will love it… especially if you do the dishes.
What are you planning this weekend? Hurry up, you have four days left!
(Photos: kjunstorm, kaiton, peregrineblue, troymason, eustaquio, Family Fun, denniswong, jyode)
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