So what’s the real deal with Valentine’s Day? Things have changed a lot since I was a kid. Way back then (“in the middle ages, as my daughter kindly refers to my youth), if you were daring enough, you’d give a homemade card to the boy you liked and cross all your fingers and toes, that you’d find an offering in your locker or desk too. We all remember our first proper romantic Valentine. Mine was from a boy named Bakak, and he’d drawn a rather risque picture (for a boy of 9), of me and him well…sort of kissing! His love was sadly unrequited. What was yours? Leave us a comment here and you’ll be entered to WIN a gorgeous bamboo bra and panty set from Belabumbum. BTW many celebrities including Halle Berry and Kate Hudson, regularly wear Belabumbum underwear (pictured below). Fast forward to 2010 and Valentine’s Day has become a mega commercial holiday, where a simple card, for the most part, will not suffice. The pressure’s on girls! It’s easier for a guy who can snap up a bunch of flowers or some lingerie, but we’re pretty much left with the option of a card with chocolate or a card without. That’s unless you’re going whole hog and getting him a massive gift. Being the Green girl that I am, I’m not crazy about the focus on all this crazy gift-giving.
When my daughter was in pre-school, she started bringing home massive bags, which were literally stuffed with little gifts. A mini-card was a meaningless irritation – tossed to one side, unless of course it had a massive piece of candy taped or glued to it. And then came the presents – some kids put in fancy pens and erasers, and then my daughter started telling me what she’d like from her mom and dad for her Valentine’s gift! I explained that it wasn’t a birthday, but it was hard for her to understand, as every shop she went into had enormous displays of stuffed bears holding hearts or bouquets of lollipops attached to balloons.
The other day she asked me what this holiday really means and why do we all make such a big deal out of it. I explained that it’s all about Love and then I kind of got stuck and told her I’d be right back. After a sneaky peak at Google and a 
couple of “The real meaning of..” sites later, I confidently reported that Valentine was a Saint (I did actually know that!), and that there’s a whole story of how during a time in the Roman era, when soldiers were forbidden to be married, Saint Valentine married them in secret. Finally he got found out, was imprisoned and fell in love with the guard’s daughter. Before being executed, he wrote her a note and was put to death on February 14th. The tradition of celebrating his death was taken up by the church and became a religious holiday and the rest is history. I had to make it this short as I could see I was losing her fast.
History lesson aside, if Valentine’s Day has become a symbol/celebration of romantic love, how can we best enjoy this celebration without further harming the planet? Here’s a few easy tips:
1. Reduce: A card made from recycled paper, an e-card, or one that is homemade is enough. Less is more if you really want to be Green.
2. If you’re buying chocolates, be sure that they are Fair-trade and organic. My absolute favorites taste-wise (and I mean 
heavenly,) are Kallari Chocolate and Theo Chocolate. Remember dark chocolate is really good for you!
3. If you know your honey wants to get you flowers, ask for them to be organic. The Organic Bouquet delivers everywhere and is competitively priced.
4. Give a homemade certificate for a candlelit massage or some such activity!
5. Think of someone who might be super-lonely and make sure they feel appreciated this year with a bag of homemade brownies (cut with a heart-shaped cookie cutter) or some homemade fudge.
6. If you really want to buy a big gift, consider something earth-friendly and incredibly useful, like a Soda Stream, which carbonates all your water beautifully, eliminating the need to buy any 
sparkling water. You can add organic fruit juices to make healthy sodas too.
Either way, do without all that crazy packaging and waste. Let this be a day that you show a bit of love for the Earth too.
February 5th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I work with young children and every major holiday involves making some sort of gift for parents and lots of candy.
Last year I started with the alternative gifts. I give recycled pencils (the kids get really excited over having their very own pencil).
This year, as part gift-making and part science fair project, the class saved scrap paper (from past projects), broken crayons, and milk cartons. They get to decorate the cleaned and dried cartons with scrap art supplies (making a gift bag) and I shredded and remelted the Valentine’s color crayons in heart-shaped candy molds.
The kids now have a recycled heart crayon, re-used and personalized gift bag to give their parents. The sample I made (and pictures of the kids making their own gifts) are being used as the class entry into the science fair later this month.
February 5th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
For years my husband and I have decided to spend time together rather than buy gifts for each other. Time together is the best gift we could give each other and we don’t end up with more “Things” We take our picture each year so we have a memory of our day.
February 6th, 2010 at 9:16 am
I have several bamboo apparel items and really really like them. Please consider me for your undergarment giveaway.
February 6th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Just one more reason why I need the soda stream. I’ve been lusting after this for months!
February 6th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
First and best Valentine I remember: my boyfriend (husband at the time) left me a backcountry ski shovel under my pillow with a homemade card. I still have both and although I don’t get to backcountry ski as often as I’d like to, I still use the shovel all the time for all kinds of things. Also, our family of four now is all about homemade cards. They are so much more interesting than store bought cards — and I love that the sentiments come from the heart. Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 6th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Ooooooo I remember probably the most memorable Valentine’s was when I was in grade 5. I had a HUGE crush on this boy, and bought him a box of chocolates (yes…I was always VERY forward) and when it came time to giving out our cards, I nearly ripped his envelope holding his cards as I subtly dropped the heavy box in.
The BEST part…was at the end of the school day finding a bouquet of tulips in my locker that he managed to sneak in!
Awwww….puppy love!
February 7th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Oh my gosh, in grade 3 a boy gave me a valentine that we were supposed to be making for our mom’s. It said something like “to Amy my love, from the funniest guy in town.” Very silly… I was so embarrassed/excited/confused, lol, he was totally in love with me and I was like, eww boys!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:33 am
For the past 6 years, the best part about Valentine’s Day has been the cards and homemade treats from my young niece and nephew. Nothing is better than the cards that are addressed to ‘The Best Auntie Ever”. It also helps ease the pain when that six-year old niece reminds me it’s okay that I’m 23 and don’t have a boyfriend yet. They’re lucky their cute kids ; )
February 8th, 2010 at 8:18 am
The best valentine’s day I had was the first year my husband and I started dating. He was so nervous it was very cute. He cooked me a lobster dinner. Bought me flowers and chocolate. And bought me the most gorgeous diamond heart necklace that I still wear to this day.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:14 am
The cutest Valentine’s day present I’ve received was when I was in grade 9 and a friend of mine asked if we could share lockers… he liked me so he put a couple of roses in there and wrote me a letter saying that even though I didn’t like roses he hoped I’d like those ones… we continued to share a locker for a while…he later told me he couldn’t get my combo any other way, so he asked to share lockers it was funny!
I also gave valentine’s day cards one year in high school and my crush (unknown at the time) made me a replica card and gave it back to me later that day- kinda creepy but cute HAH
February 8th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
When I was in Kindergarten, a little boy named Ross got down one knee and asked me to marry him. The poor kid ate through an entire box of cereal to find the fake red ruby ring! So we were married for a day. I still have the little ring, sadly I don’t know where Ross is today.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Megan
You should Facebook Ross – you never know!!!! (question is, do you remember his last name?)
February 9th, 2010 at 5:32 am
When I was in my first year of high school, this boy who always sat beside me in music class decided to confess his feelings to me by giving me a valentine that was a poem made almost entirely out of those little sugar hearts with the sayings on them. Before he could give it to me though, he realized he forgot his lunch and was so hungry he ate half of them and just wrote the words that were on the missing ones in the empty spaces! Needless to say I wasn’t very impressed and every time I see those candies now I think about that sad little half eaten Valentine.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:40 am
4 years ago, my Valentine’s Day present came early. Our son was born! Because my Marine husband works long hours, we are going to my in-laws this weekend (if the snow stays away) to celebrate our son’s birthday and hopefully have some sitters to watch him for a date night! Something we haven’t had in awhile!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:29 am
My first proper Valentine came tied to a carnation. I was somewhat disappointed, as I think many (most?) people are by carnations.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:44 am
I’ve been sitting here trying to think of my most memorable Valentine… it’s really sad but every year come Valentine’s Day, I am on my own.
I do enjoy the Valentine’s I get from my nephews — they are so proud when they give them to me.
Winning the bamboo bra and panty set would BE THE MOST MEMORABLE VALENTINE
February 9th, 2010 at 10:46 am
The first Valentine I remember receiving was when I was in third grade. A boy who liked me gave me a rock for Valentine’s Day. The other students in our class mocked him viciously for giving a girl a rock as a gift. But it wasn’t just an ordinary rock. He had carefully polished the rock and it was beautiful. I just loved it. Looking back, I wish I had been more brave and let him know how much I apprciated the gift. But I was shy and embarrassed by the class’ reaction and the attention of a boy. I’m just realizing as I write this that I think that moment began a habit I began much later in life . . . I often carry a special little rock in my pocket. Everytime I touch it it reminds me to be grateful.–Yes, what a lovely Valentine.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:48 am
The best Valentine gifts are the homemade hearts that say “I love you” from my kids!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:48 am
The best Valentine’s Day was started by paper hearts trailing in a path on the floor from the bedroom to the kitchen where a dozen red roses awaited me there!!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:52 am
My first Valentine was a little boy who brought me a gold pendant in second grade. His father owned a jewelry store. I thought it was the greatest thing in the whole world. I still have it:)
February 9th, 2010 at 11:06 am
My first Valentine that I can remember was in First grade. I had the biggest crush on a boy named Beau. And when I received a box of candy from him, I was on cloud 9!! Aw, first loves
February 9th, 2010 at 11:11 am
The Best Valentine’s day is when your boyfriend brings the yummy organic chocolates.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:21 am
My husband and I have agreed to try to ‘green’ our lives as much as possible. While we know our families really get in the spirit of gift-giving during the holidays, we have agreed that our gifts to each other will only be eco-friendly and/or experiences (ie: massage, cooking lessons, etc)
February 9th, 2010 at 11:21 am
The best Valentines Day gifts are time and a letter or card stating how you feel about someone. They are quality gifts.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:23 am
My senior year of high school my boyfriend was away at college. He convinced a friend of his to stand outside my high school with a poster board and flowers for me for Valentine’s Day. Talk about a good friend, huh? Especially considering it was an all-girls high school, so the boy standing outside at the end of the day was definately the center of attention!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I’ve always wanted a set of beautiful bamboo underthings! It’s an amazing resource – we just had our hardwood floors redone in bamboo. Beautiful!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Would love to try this product. I just got some bamboo sheets and really like them, but I wouldn’t have thought of it for undergarments.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:34 am
I love to make cards for those I love. I use recycled paper and craft away on a cold shnowy day. New panties and bra would make my day!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:35 am
My first proper Valentine was in 5th grade when a boy I had a crush on not only gave me a lovely handmade card but also gave me a kiss on the cheek along with it. I thought it was terribly romantic at the time and Valentine’s Day has been one of my favorite holidays ever since.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Awesome giveaway!!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:38 am
My best valentines day was when I met my fiancé! Of all days we crossed paths and neither one of us were supposed to be were we were at! It was his night off but he was covering for a co worker going on a date and I was drug out with my room mate and her boyfriend for dinner and drinks. We met and it was instant chemistry and at the end of the night when I closed out my tab he asked me if I would be his valentine, of course I said! Then he handed me a paper rose he had been making for me while I was there playing pool. I thought he probably made them for all the girls but he told me he had just learned how to make paper roses that day:) So we tore my reciept in half and he wrote his number on one and I wrote mine on the other half. hmmmm we now have a 16 month old and are engaged.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:40 am
We try to be non-toxic and organic as my son has autism and we are trying heal him from the inside out. I love Valentine’s Day this year as evertone is getting organic gluten free treats as thier valentime. The class is being gifted 2 bottles of the all purpose cleanser from the GG book. The school provides industrial cleaner–YUCK! that sucks! The teachers are becomong more receptive to our “weird” family. gotta LOVE that this Valentines Day!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Belabumbum is amazing. They even offer maternity options. I’m 8 months prego and so ready to go shopping for non-maternity items. Belabumbum is a great resource for both. Plus, my hubby and I recently bought bamboo sheets for the first time. Amazing!! They are better than any Egyptian Cotton Sheets I’ve ever had, regardless of the thread count. We are going to start giving them out as gifts. They are so soft!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:48 am
We have bamboo sheets which I think are really soft, but I have yet for purchase any bamboo clothing.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:56 am
The best thing to remember this Valentine’s day is to love yourself and love others! Spread love, think love, be love. <3 Happy V-Day!!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Given that chocolate (or cacao) is the 2nd largest crop user of pesticides I try to only buy fair trade and organic chocolate for my loved ones during V-Day.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:59 am
My favorite chocolate is endangered species chocolate (found at chocolatebar.com). They are a LEED certified company that gives back 10% of net profits for different species, habitat, and humanity. The dark chocolate is so good that my fiance and I are considering giving them as wedding favors!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
I cannot remember my first Valentine. I do remember Valentine’s day always being a “stressful” school day. Will I or won’t I get a special Valentine? Sometimes I did
and sometimes I did not 
. And out of 15 years of marriage, my husband has only missed one! We were on vacation and he thought that would suffice. When he realized it wouldn’t, he made a quick trip to Walgreen’s to find some chocolate.
I have pj’s made out of bamboo and they are my favorite.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Valentine’s Day is a day to let my husband know how much I appreciate him! Happy V-day!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Love is amazing and Valentine’s Day is a great day to share great feelings with family & friends. I just love Valentine’s from any and all who give them! I haven’t tried bamboo undergarments…looks awesome!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Awesome giveaway!!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
My son has come home from school this year with the same requests as your daughter. He informed me that I needed to buy him a gift – but at least he also said that he needed to go out and buy his sister a gift. At least he is being thoughtful.
Sadly, I do not have a childhood story of my first Romantic Valentine. The closest I have is when I was in the nineth grade, I had a mad crush on a boy and my best friend sent me a Carnation, but on the note said it was from him, in an effort to make me feel better. The boy is long forgotten, but I still have the friend 20 years later.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I work at a Day Care – My kids and I just made their mom/dad/gaurdian fortune cookies! They each took time to write a fortune on a small piece of paper.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
First Memorable Valentine:
In 6th grade I received a giant Hershey’s Kiss and a stuffed Koala bear … things were pretty quiet, years passed …
Second Memorable Valentine:
Making love for the first time with my First Real Boyfriend after waiting for 6 months.
(I was eighteen)
Soundtrack: Rod Stewart: “Tonight’s the Night”
Couldn’t get any better than that ….
February 9th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
I’ve never actually celebrated Valentine’s Day, but one of my best friend’s birthday falls on that day, so we celebrate that. Plus this year it’s also Chinese New Year and you always need new clothes for Chinese New Year.. so bamboo underwear would be great!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I have made the switch to non-toxic products – no chemicals in my make-up, no color dye in my shampoo, no parabens in my lotion. And I recently got a water filter for my shower that I love! Now my beauty experience feels pure, and I can again recognize the smell of real lavender in products instead of fake lavender. I love being Gorgeously Green!!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
My husband is away in the Army, so this Valentine’s my girlfriends and I are getting together to drink some organic vegan wine and talk about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness!
February 9th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Thank you for this article. I have some heart shaped cookie cutters that I received as a favor at a wedding. I had completely forgotten about them. I will now be making some heart shaped brownies for my sweetie.
As far as my first valentine goes, I got a card drawn and colored from his older sister and cookies baked by his mother.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
I have just finished reading your book and it changed me. I’ve started being a vegetarian and doing yoga and have already lost weight and i feel so much healthier. Even though being green, the eco-friendly products, are a little more costly its worth it. The cosmetic products that are all natural just make my skin feel healthier and my consious is still clean.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
I make treats for my friends and loved ones for V-day and deliver them in boxes/bags/containers that I’ve kept from other things so that they get reused! I also just bought my daughter some Reusable Produce Bags after she saw them on here. She loves them!
February 9th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
A great gift for your kids, is a home made treat and a packet of seeds. Kids love to grow all sorts of flowers, herbs and fruit.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
When I was 8 my family moved into a new neighbourhood and my mother encouraged me to make valentines for our new neighbours. They had 3 sons and I thought it would be very orderly to make a small, medium, and large valentine for the youngest, middle and oldest boy, respectivly.
I realized my logic was flawed when I was teased later for giving one boy a valentine that was much bigger than the others’! Through the following years, though, no crush ensued.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
The best Valentines day gift is for me is that my high school sweetheart still gives my tummy butterflies after 15 years together.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
My husband and I cherish every moment we have together and practice “green” holidays- with homemade gifts or donations to our favorite charity… our time together is a gift in itself!
February 9th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
One of my most memorable valentine’s gift was the biggest bouquet of rose I had ever received from my husband. I was utterly surprised because we have generally agreed not to exchange gifts on commercial holidays, and I can probably count the times he has given me flowers on one hand! Another year, he bought me some delicious dark chocolate made for pairing with red wine, my favorite. In recent years, since we have young children, I make Valentine’s Day a family fun day (My hubby and I rarely go out on V-Day, of all days, because restaurants are crowded and raise their prices.). We’ll usually spend the morning baking (if it’s on a weekend) and I’ll plan a fun dinner with a nice bottle of wine for hubby and I. Last year I made heart-shaped scones, and the year before a heart-shaped pizza for dinner! My preschooler and I will make valentine cards for Daddy and Grandma & Grandpa. It’s fun!
February 9th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
I have such a hard time finding comfortable bras and underwear. Recently, I’ve started going bra-less whenever possible. I would love, love, love to own a bra I love to wear!
February 9th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I enjoyed reading everyone’s stories about childhood Valentines. They reminded me of a little boy in my second grade class named Will that gave me a little silver heart necklace.I don’t know what happened to Will after 2nd grade, but I still have the little necklace in my old jewelry box with the ballerina that spins. Sweet memories.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I don’t remember a Valentine’s Day that we didn’t make our own valentines. The kids do it for their friends at school as well as family. My husband and I don’t give gifts as we feel the time we have together is gift enough. It also increases our feelings towards each other as well as its something you recycle every year.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
My first Valentine was in Kindergarten. I received a homemade card cobbled together from a boy who shared his seat with me on the school bus;). He had taken a piece of red construction paper, and glued sections of his favorite bubble gum wrappers in the mish mashed shape of a heart. Inside he wrote his name and mine in a crayon drawn heart, and glued a piece of the gum in it !!! I was smiling all day,and let him hold my hand as we rode home from school
Please enter me into your contest – I am eager to try bamboo!!!!!!!!!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
What a way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, feeling good inside and out with this bamboo set!
February 9th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
You don’t need cards and gifts to show your love. It’s become so commercial that we call this a “insert card company name here” holiday. Just take time out from your busy schedules and spend some time together – go for a walk – go to a local winery – be creative – you might just end up not needing a holiday to show your love.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
This year, my husband and I are celebrating our first V-day with our daughter Anna. We are making cards out of seed paper for her playdate pals and are serving up a brunch for our friends using foods from the local farmers’ market. We are very happy to show some lovin’ to the planet, and hope to teach others by example not to take our wonderful Earth for granted.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
My first memorable Valentine’s was when I was in high school with my first real boyfriend. My best friend and had her first real boyfriend and we were all beginning this new “grown-up” life together. We decided to get dressed up all fancy and found a little, unknown restaurant a whole 20 minutes from our home. We all went out for a double date for the holiday (and to celebrate my birthday on the 13th!) and the boys were so nervous they forgot to buy either of us flowers. Luckily, the restaurant had roses for the ladies that evening and we spent a wonderful night full of food and love. My first boyfriend sang me my favorite song that night as my Valentine’s gift and we spent the night talking in the car. That old boyfriend, today, is still a friend (with a great fiance!) and I am happily in love with my own prince charming. Despite having tons of great Valentines since then, that first shared with friends and first loves will always hold a special place in my heart.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I remember finding a homemade valentine and hand-picked daffodils under my wind-shield wiper blade.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
I’m spending valentines with my friends because i dont believe in the whole valentines consumer/commercial day,i like the story about your sweetheart, how cute…and i had no clue valentine died i just new he was a saint? Haha
i will eat some organic fair trade chocolate though
sounds yummy!
February 9th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
The first Valentine I remember well was 4th grade (?). My ‘boyfriend’ saved his money & got his mom to buy me a necklace of hearts. I think it came from Avon…. we broke up a week later!
February 9th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
The first Valentine’s gift I remember was maybe 4th grade… my ‘boyfriend’ saved his money & asked his mom to buy me a necklace made of hearts. I think she got it through Avon. We broke up a week later!
February 9th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I love bamboo clothing. That would make a great Valentine’s Day gift!My favorite Valentine’s Day gift was a card from my boyfriend. It wasn’t a Valentine themed card. It was a friend card. In the card he told me all the things I’ve done for him that make me his best friend. I cry every time I read it!
February 9th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Make my Valentine’s Day….
I will proudly wear the prize!
February 9th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Ever since high school when my folks split up and I moved to California with my mom after having grown up with all the same kids, I have pretty much dreaded the holiday. My first day as a junior in my new California high school was Valentine’s Day. All the girls had flowers or balloons and I didn’t know a SOUL!
This year, I will be at a wedding (not mine) with a man I have fallen madly in love with! Maybe this will be the year to turn things around!!
February 9th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
My first proper romantic Valentine was given to me during 9th grade. It was a regular old Hershey’s candy bar, and I was slightly disappointed. (I didn’t even like milk chocolate!) However, the charming young man then encouraged me to have some of the chocolate right then and there, and when I opened the wrapper, there was a pretty gold necklace inside!
February 9th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
My first Valentine gave me not one, but two pieces of candy in my Valentine’s day card. I didn’t realize anything until everyone in the class started teasing me about it. I was still flattered none the less.
Thanks for everything you have taught be about going green!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
When I received the note from school saying that Valentines needed to be made for all 20 students in both of my girls classes I had horrible visions of pre-printed trashy Valentines from the store. Instead the girls and I cut out paper and card stock we already had, used our already existing heart stickers and spent lots of fun time making Valentines for all of their friends. What fun and a wonderful way to spend time with two of my favorite Valentines!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Mine was a boy named Ryan. Our parents were best friends and at the ripe old age of 4 he bought me my first locket necklace. Now that I have a little girl I can’t imagine a 4 year old boy ever buying her anything… oh well. I am super excited about this bra and panty set!
February 9th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
My first proper Valentine’s Day was when I was a senior in high school. My boyfriend at the time sent me a bouquet of two dozen longstem red roses and a single longstem yellow rose in the middle, to me during school. The card read, “You are like the yellow rose, even surrounded by beauty you are the most beautiful of all.”
February 9th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
My first valentine was Rodney. A boy down the street that I played with all the time. I made my own valentines day card and attached it to my favorite toy frog. I walked down to his house and put it on his fron steps.
I don’t remember what happened after. I was four years old and we moved shortly after that.
My next valentine memory is of a neighborhood boy who walked around with a paper heart and told me he loved me. That was in kindergarten.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
It’s not a romantic valentine, but it’s the most special to me – ever since I can remember, my dad has given me a bouquet of flowers and a card for V-day. When I was younger and he worked the early shift, they’d always be waiting for me in my room when I woke up that morning. Now, he sends them to my work via carrier.
I’ve had my share of “romantic” valentines as well, but none of them will ever mean as much as the flowers and note from my dad every year!
February 9th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
When I was young boys were not really appealing, so there were no notes etc given or received. Feb is a month of special days for my husband and me – Feb 8, wedding anniversary, 14th valentines day, 17th my b’day. so we dont do something for every one. This year for our anniversary I made him a chocolate cake. Some years I will get Cookies by George sent to his office for him to share – this past xmas I made home made fudge to take. He usually gives me red roses at least once in Feb – whenever I get roses I dry them (hang upside down once they start dropping petals or drooping) and use them in the 3 large dried flower baskets I have in our house – take out the old faded ones and put in the new ones.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
V Day! This year mine is being spent alone as my love goes to Reno for a theatre competition…good timing. Hmmm…a new natural bra & panty would would a surprise to him when he gets back…
February 9th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
The 14 years that my husband and I have been together, 10 of that married, we have spent only 4 Valentines Day’s together. He is an active duty U.S. Marine. This will be another Valentine’s Day spent apart for us. But I am not worried, because he is so caring. He has always managed to send me a card, even some from our four kids. He tries to call me if he can and even has a plant or flowers delivered on that day to make sure I have a good Valentine’s even though he can’t be with me.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
My favorite part of Valetine’s is sending greeting cards to my girlfriends, complete with glitter, stickers and stamps, to remind them how much I love and value their friendship.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Sophie – you know you’re speaking my language! Did you see the “Sole Mate” upcycled Valentine’s Day (DIY) craft idea?
http://www.celebrategreen.net/blog/?p=1408
Eco gifts from the heart don’t have to cost a dime. (But I agree, Belabumbum & Theo are two of my favorites, too
)
February 10th, 2010 at 4:08 am
Any day that reminds us to tell our loved ones how we feel about them is a wonderful thing. In my house, it all cuddling and love..maybe a handmade card or picture. We are pretty low key on gifts for most holidays – the time we spend together is much more memorable and important than a physical item. XXOOXX
February 10th, 2010 at 5:56 am
Oh I love Valentine’s Day. Being newly divorced my Valentines will be my 2 adorable boys.I can’t wait to get valentines for my boys to give out at school. I bake white chocolate/rasperries cupcakes and we decorate them with sprinkles. We eat lots of chocolate, kiss and tell each other how much we love each other. Je t’aime Valentine’s day !
February 10th, 2010 at 6:58 am
Valentine’s Day is all about spreading love. We should treat every day like Valentine’s Day and let love shine through us and spread it around like wildflowers!
February 10th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Valentines Day was always so much fun for me when we made little boxes and stuck paper hearts to them. My sister and I would always make these at home and tape them to our bedroom doors. It was so fun to sneak a card of appreciation in and watch my sister find it with a huge smile!
Also I will never forget the V-Day when I turned 14 (on Feb 9th) and I went to give some Valentines personally but daringly written on heart paper to three boys I had crushes on at the same time (yes -3!). The only problem was after I doorbell ditched the second one I realized I had given the boys eachothers names!!! Now they knew I was in love another boy! Oh how embarrassing!
February 10th, 2010 at 7:47 am
My first and best memory of a Valentine gift was when I was 10 yrs old. I was visiting my cousins. My Uncle came home from work and had boxes of candy for all the girls. He gave me a beautiful heart box with a variety of nuts.(I was allergic to chocolate.) To this day it still makes me special and loved. His name was Vincent Valentine Lalor.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:12 am
My first real valentine was from a boy named Adam in junior high. I was having a Valentine’s Day party at my house and a few hours before the party began he arrived at my door with a dozen red and white carnations. I was very surprized because I had no idea he liked me. We “went together” for maybe a week and then moved on like typical 12 year olds. Now I can’t wait for my daughters first Valentine!
February 10th, 2010 at 8:21 am
I LOVE planning a greenly romantic evening for my sweetie and I. Thinking it would really help the Earth if I make dinner at home and eat by candlelight! Thanks for raising the bar!
February 10th, 2010 at 8:45 am
The beautiful lady who would later become my wife sent me a “singing valentine” (we were attending the same college and the choir offered these as a fundraiser). They had to add the song she selected–”When I’m 64″ by the Beetles to their repertoire just to deliver it to me. We are just about half way between the day the song was delivered and the stately age of the song. Here’s to the hope of adding another 20 years or more beyond that!
February 10th, 2010 at 10:05 am
I don’t remember my first Valentine, but I remember my best: A large purple teddybear holding a heart that says I Love You from my then husband to be. We have been married 35 years and I still have the bear.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:19 am
Sophie, I love all your great ideas for a special valentines day! Thanks!
February 10th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
I haven’t really had a proper Valentine from a guy yet, but I love getting roses or chocolate from my dad.
February 10th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
My first real Valentine was from a boy in 7th grade. Neither of us was very popular & all the ‘beautiful’ people got flowers or balloons sent to them at school. I talked about how great it would be to get one of those fancy chocolate boxes with the ribbons & fringe on it. The next day he gave me a giant heart shaped box of goodies just like I described! We fell out of touch, like kids do – but I kept the box lid until I moved out to go to college.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
My boyfriend was a lil stinker on our first valentines and let me believe all day that my gift was a small heart shaped box of chocolates that he had already opened to eat one! He was kidding of course and later gave me some flowers and a cute nightgown.
February 11th, 2010 at 6:49 am
Who can forget the gorgeous gold and gemstone ring that my 2nd grade crush gave me?? Neither I or lil’ Jimmy could forget that especially since Jimmy FORGOT to tell his Mom that he was taking it from her jewelery box to gift it to me!! Oh MY – unforgetable for everyone involved (including my parents)! [p.s. Jimmy's mom's got her ring back and Jimmy eventually kissed a younger woman/1st grader under the slide and broke my heart.]
February 11th, 2010 at 10:42 am
My first real Valentine’s Day I wanted to go dancing and I found a small country dance hall online that sounded fun! So we drove the 40 minutes to get there and kept driving farther and farther into the dark hills and thought we were lost until we saw a few little lights coming from a building in the middle of a field. We walked in on an auction for homemade cakes that the older ladies had made to help support the dance hall. When the dancing started again on the tiny dance floor, we watched as older gentlemen would come and sweep up the lady of their choice and dance like they were teens again. We soon joined in and danced the night away with a generation that not lost the concept of love & fun after all these years.
February 11th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Great ideas! One “green” way my husband and I celebrate is to do something together, instead of buying gifts.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
The Valentines that stands out most in my mind happened in 8th grade when my grandfather dropped off flowers, chocolates and stuffed bears for my cousin and I (we were having a sleep over that night). It was an utter, wonderful surprise. Neither of us had boyfriends and we probably would have felt very awkward if any of our male friends had given us something. It’s weird that my favorite valentine was from my grandfather- but it made me feel thought about, pretty and loved- without worrying about reciprocating or feeling pressured in any way.
February 11th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
My husband and I decided to make it a fancy night in! I’m in charge of dinner, he’s in charge of dessert, and we’ll leave the clean up for the morning!
February 11th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I have never bought bamboo clothing before. I would love to try it though – I have felt bamboo clothing before and it feels so soft.
February 12th, 2010 at 5:50 am
I HAVE BAMBOO SHEETS AND LOVE THEM!!! SO I WOULD LOVE TO TRY THE BRUSHES!! ALSO – CELEBRATE V DAY WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE, EVEN IF IT HAPPENS TO BE YOUR KIDS.
February 12th, 2010 at 6:49 am
I have never been a fan of receiving cut flowers, but they seem to be a go-to (and easily obtained last minute gift for my non-plan ahead husband). I made a deal with him, that instead of the urge to bring me a bunch of cut flowers that will inevitably wither and die, to choose a plant that I can keep living in our home. We get the added bonus of cleaner air to breathe and a reminder of my valentine to look at throughout the year, instead of just the week that cut flowers would have been present
February 13th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
My husband normally gives me a dozen red roses every year since we have been married. This year I have asked him to forego the roses. I feel that they should remain in their natural surroundings for the world to enjoy. In addition, we will also be savings all the Carbon emissions for one less delivery. Happy Valentines Mother Earth! We will instead spend a wonderful day at home with a great meal, a fire and a nice bottle of wine!