Valentine’s Day is almost here! When Eben was younger, I always surprised him with a Valentine’s book scavenger hunt! He’s a full-grown adult now, folks! Even though he just graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree and is applying to Grad School, I still have to surprise him on Valentine’s Day (he’s my only kid!)
If you are like me and need a handful of last-minute, simple Valentine’s Day surprise ideas that are eco-friendly too – read on and relax we still have a few days. Ha!
#1: Add a Little Organic Love to Lunch
I am a little obsessed with heart shapes in food – especially for Valentine’s Day. For starters, these heart and heart apples are perfect for Valentine’s Day lunchbox – even teenagers will enjoy them!
#2: DIY Mixed Valentine CD Whether you are looking for a quick gift for your spouse or your teen –Â I adore this DIY mixed Valentine CD from Dandee Designs – so old school. I remember receiving a mixed tape from a boyfriend in junior high – it was full of love songs from Boyz II Men and Tony! Toni! Tone! – how funny is that?
#3: Give a Recycled Heart Attack
When Eben was little, I surprised him by plastering his bedroom with recycled cut-out hearts. On each heart, I wrote something about him that I love. You could do something like this on a smaller scale too, such as in a lunch box or school locker. Don’t make it too mushy if you do it at school. You could even mail a box of hearts to someone far away!
#4: Keep It Simple
I can put a lot of pressure on myself to think of a fun and creative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Eben and the mister. However, I have learned over the years that it doesn’t matter what I plan, the simple act of spending the entire day celebrating my love for them is all they want. Whether it is sweet notes in their lunchboxes, a heart-shaped breakfast, or a “fancy” dinner – it’s the quality time together that really counts.
#5: Plan a Getaway
Several years ago, I wanted to celebrate with an experience, so the mister and I surprised Eben with a long weekend of winter camping. We picked him up early from school on a Friday and headed to the beach for a few days of camping. If you want to surprise your family with a getaway, think easy – mini-day trips or even visiting somewhere new close to home.
What surprises do you have planned for your family this Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is the second most popular event for sending greeting cards after Christmas, with approximately one billion cards being sent on the occasion. Plastic materials, glitter finishes, and other embellishments are frequently used on these cards, rendering them unusable for recycling. Giving chocolate as a holiday gift has become commonplace, yet the majority of that chocolate is sourced in an unethical manner. When you factor in all of the other disposable gifts, like balloons, stuffed animals, and decorations, Valentine’s Day may be extremely harmful to the environment. However, this does not have to be the case!
February 14th is a day dedicated to celebrating love, and whether it is love for a romantic partner, a close friend, or a family member, Valentine’s Day is an excellent opportunity to let others know you care about them. There are numerous ways to accomplish this in a sustainable, ethical, and Earth-friendly manner. Here are some suggestions for Valentine’s Day gifts that are environmentally friendly:
Purchase A Long-Lasting Gift
By using your listening and observing abilities to pick something that the recipient genuinely needs, you can purchase a long-lasting gift that they will cherish for years to come. It could be a piece of art, a mug, or a super cute Valentine’s Day sweatshirt.
Fair Trade Chocolate
Chocolate typically comes at a high social and environmental cost that is considerably beyond its actual cost. It is the chocolate industry that is primarily responsible for widespread economic inequality, child labor, forced labor, and deforestation in the developing world. In order to purchase chocolate that has been ethically sourced, look for the Fair Trade label.
Buy Ethical Jewelry
It is vital to purchase jewelry from a company that can trace its mining procedures for precious stones and metals in order to verify that the materials are sourced ethically and responsibly. Consider purchasing from a company that assures that the stones used in their products were cut by personnel who were properly outfitted for the job with protective equipment. In addition, jewelry making frequently employs harmful ingredients and generates toxic waste. it is critical to ensure that you are purchasing from jewelry companies that make every effort to have ethical and transparent sourcing and manufacturing practices.
Make an Upcycled Valentine’s Day Card
If you are going to give your loved one a card, either make it yourself using recyclable materials or get one from a small business that is recyclable and Fair Trade certified.
Give the Gift of Experience
Spend quality time with your partner by preparing their favorite meal, watching their favorite movie with them, enrolling in a class together, such as cooking or photography, setting aside time to paint, and so on. Another option is to write a poem or perform a song for your Valentine, create a film about all of your finest times together, get their friends to contribute to a list of their favorite memories with them or write down all of their best attributes and all of the things you admire about them.
As a final step, consider honoring love rather than consumerism this Valentine’s Day. If you do plan to shop, look for items from local businesses and companies that adhere to ethical business methods as opposed to mass-produced items.
This year the mister and I will be celebrating Valentine’s Day at home! So I thought I’d share some fun eco-friendly Valentine’s Day surprising you can do at home!
#1: Organic Sweet Tooth: I have a sweet tooth so there will definitely need to be a little chocolate on Valentine’s Day. I will be picking chocolate that is fair trade and organic too because nothing is sweeter than socially and environmentally conscious chocolates.
#2: Think Outside of the Dining Room Table: We recently revamped our back patio, so we’re having dinner al fresco with a movie! It’s my new favorite space at our home. Nothing is more fun than dinner and a movie outside by the pool!
#3: Bubbles Make Everything Better: Who doesn’t love a bubble bath? What Valentine’s Day would be complete without a yummy bath full of organic bath bubbles, candlelight, and your special someone?
#4: Love is in Bloom: I am not a huge fan of fresh-cut flowers, I would rather receive a beautiful potted plant that I can enjoy for years to come.
#5: Cook Together: Whether you are celebrating with your spouse, significant other, or kids, give cooking together a shot. Now that Eben is an adult the mister and I tend to cook together more often, which is a sweet treat in itself.
What eco-friendly Valentine’s Day surprises do you have up your sleeve this year?
You’ve planned almost everything you need to host your beautifully ethical and eco-friendly wedding – but what about the band? Whilst it might not be the biggest eco offender, your entertainment is still an element that can potentially impact the carbon footprint of your special day. Here, we take a look at some of the top tips for choosing the perfect band for your sustainable wedding.
Be open about your preferences
For the eco-conscious couple, sustainability and ethically sourced supplies are of paramount importance when it comes to planning their wedding. Every potential musician or band you approach should be able to get just as excited about your values and preferences as you do, so be sure to open the conversation around your expectations.
Try to find musicians who also value sustainability. Perhaps they only use green-powered generators for their amplifiers, or use electric vehicles to transport equipment. Or maybe your chosen venue uses renewable energy which makes their equipment more eco-friendly? Even small things bands can do like bringing refillable water bottles to their performances, rather than using multiple disposable cups or adding to the venue’s washing up, will help boost the eco-credentials of your day.
Go acoustic
If your venue is suitable and your guest list is small enough, an acoustic band could be an excellent choice. Without the need for energy-taxing lights and amplifiers, acoustic musicians can make use of a room’s natural space to please the crowd with their melodies and songs.
Even if you’ll need some sort of power to boost the sound as evening falls, try to stick to acoustic-only musicians throughout the daytime segments of your day. A gentle background tune played by a harpist or pianist is very romantic whilst you’re enjoying your wedding breakfast.
Stay local
An easy way to ensure your choice of wedding music is as green as can be is to stick to local musicians. There are bound to be plenty of small groups in your area who can entertain your guests without having to travel long distances. If you manage to find an up-and-coming band, your wedding may even be one of their debut performances. If you’re unsure where to look, try an online database or search through local village magazines for recommendations.
With live bands, you don’t just get music, you get an entire performance. And young bands looking to find their way in the industry can be some of the best and most passionate when it comes to entertaining your wedding guests. Of course, a professional, long-standing local band is also a fantastic option – the key is choosing local artists to cut down on travel and overnight costs.
Tie it all together
All good weddings are seamlessly tied together with an overarching theme, so be sure to factor yours in when choosing your wedding band. Folk bands work well for earthy, rustic weddings, whilst jazz bands can liven up any classic or retro event. Look for musical styles that resonate with you and your partner, and then work with your venue and musicians to find the most sustainable way to incorporate the band into your wedding day.
Making your home more energy-efficient is a great way to reduce monthly expenses and help the environment. In this blog post, we will discuss 13 ways to make your new home more energy-efficient. In addition, we will provide tips on saving energy in every room of your house, so read on for some helpful information!
Install Weatherstripping And Caulk Around Doors And Windows
This will help seal any gaps that might be letting in air from the outside. Check around doors and windows for any cracks or holes and seal them up with weatherstripping or caulk. You can find these items at your local hardware store.
Install Energy Efficient Windows
One of the best ways to make your home more energy-efficient is to install energy-efficient windows. Not only will this help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, but it will also help reduce your energy bills. There are various types of energy-efficient windows on the market, so be sure to do your research to find the best option for your home.
Install Solar Panels
Another great way to make your home more energy-efficient is to install solar panels. Solar panels can help you generate your electricity, which can then power your home. This will not only reduce your reliance on the grid, but it will also help you to save money on your energy bills. There are a variety of solar panel systems available on the market, so you will need to do some research to find the one that best suits your needs. Just make sure that you get a system that is compatible with your home’s current electrical setup.
Making Use Of Propane
Propane is one of the most versatile and energy-efficient fuels available, making it an excellent choice for new homeowners looking to make their homes more energy-efficient. Propane can be used for everything from heating your home to powering your appliances, and it’s also a clean-burning fuel that won’t harm the environment.
For all your propane needs, be sure to visit Annapolis Propane. They are a full-service propane company that can help you get set up with the right Propane system for your home.
Switching Out Your Lightbulbs
One of the easiest ways to make your new home more energy efficient is to switch out your lightbulbs. If you have incandescent bulbs, they should be replaced with LED bulbs. LED bulbs use less energy and last much longer than incandescent bulbs. You can also buy smart lightbulbs that can be controlled with your smartphone. These bulbs can be turned off remotely, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn them off when you leave the house.
Being Mindful Of Your Energy Use
You can’t manage what you don’t measure, which is especially true regarding your energy use. One of the best ways to make your new home more energy efficient is to be mindful of how much energy you and your family use daily.
Keep track of your energy bills and try to find ways to reduce your consumption. You may be surprised how much of a difference small changes can make.
Educate Your Family
Another way to make your new home more energy efficient is to educate your family about the importance of conserving energy. Show them how much money you can save by making small changes, such as turning off lights when they leave a room. Explain how conserving energy can also help the environment. Educating your family about energy efficiency can make a big difference in how much energy your home uses.
Adding Insulation To Your Home
Adding insulation is one of the best ways to make your new home more energy-efficient. This will help to keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. There are many different types of insulation available, so you must choose the one that best suits your needs. Then, you can either install it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.
Making Use Of Natural Light
One of the most effective and free ways to make your home more energy efficient is to take advantage of natural light. During the daytime, open up all the curtains and blinds to let in as much sunlight as possible. You’ll be surprised at how much difference it makes – not only will you save on energy bills, but your home will also feel brighter and more cheerful.
Invest In Energy Efficient Appliances
When it comes to appliances, it is essential to do your research to find the most energy-efficient option for your home. This is especially important for larger devices such as refrigerators, ovens, and washing machines. Not only are energy-efficient appliances more cost-effective in the long run, but they also help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can be used in winter and summer to help regulate the temperature in your home. In the winter, ceiling fans should rotate clockwise to push warm air down from the ceiling. In the summer, ceiling fans should spin counter-clockwise to create a cool breeze. Using Ceiling fans instead of air conditioners can save you money and energy.
Change Your Laundry Routine
Changing your laundry routine is one way to make your home more energy-efficient. Instead of washing all your clothes in hot water, try soaking them in cold water. This can save you a lot of money on your energy bill. You can also line dry your clothes instead of using the dryer. This will save you even more money on your energy bill.
Don’t Overuse Appliances That Use Allot Of Electricity
One of the best ways to make your new home more energy efficient is to be mindful of how often you use appliances that use a lot of electricity. Things like clothes dryers, ovens, and dishwashers can add to your energy bill. So, if you can limit your use of these appliances, you’ll be well on saving money and being more energy-efficient.
When saving energy and money, few things are more important than making your home as energy-efficient as possible. By following these simple tips, you can make a big difference in your energy bills and carbon footprint. So what are you waiting for? Start saving today!
