Make Love not Waste!   Valentine’s Day express your love and admiration with less stuff and more caring gestures and thoughtful words. Reduce the amount of stuff you buy and gift.

Sometimes when we give gifts we inadvertently give packaging and and other materials that creates garbage for the recipient. Garbage is not the gift of love.

We want to know that someone cares about us. We want to be with special loved ones. We want to express our love or admiration to another.

We want to know that someone cares about us. We want to be with special loved ones. We want to express our love or admiration to another.

Instead of Saying it with Stuff, Say it with words and thoughtful gestures.

Attention, shared experiences, caring and consideration are special gifts to give. It is the expression of our love that makes us happy.

“They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything.” Bill Keane

Ready- made Valentine’s Day cards came into vogue in the 19oo’s, because cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings were discouraged.

Today, over 1 billion cards are purchased for this single day.

Did you know?

85% of Valentine’s Day cards are purchased by women

200 million flowers are sold and delivered

73% of flowers are purchased by men

36 million heart shaped boxes of chocolate are sold

• Give your special message verbally or send an e-card
• Instead of buying valentines to give out in the classroom, repurpose children’s art work into unique valentines hearts with a special ‘ what I like about you” message for each student
• Wrap treats in repurposed vintage hankies, bits of scrap material or second-hand containers
• Spent time not money. Togetherness does not have to cost. Do something with your loved one, that you know your special person enjoys.
• If you are decorating a special event use materials that can be recycled or used again.
• If you are cooking a special meal, plan your meal to reduce waste. Start by taking an inventory of what foods you have in stock  and next plan your  menu, write a shopping list and plan to use left-overs.
• Avoid single-use products. Ask yourself how can I use this again? Use cloth napkins, reusable dishes and glasses and reusable gifts bags.
• Share ingredients. Share with a friend or neighbours products you may only use a portion of.
• Just ask. Ask the florist if you can buy flowers without cellophane. Ask for a doggy bag if you do not finish a restaurant meal.
• Be mindful. Be conscious of the choices you make as a consumer. Have an action plan to reduce,reuse, recycle and compost. Learn what you can recycle in your community.

MAKE IT LAST TIP

Make your own preservation to keep flowers fresh longer. Dissolve 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons vinegar per quart of warm water. When you fill the vase, make sure cut stems are covered are by 3 to 4 inches of prepared water. The sugar nourishes the plants, whilw the vinegar inhibits bacterial growth.

Make it Yourself

Nutty Banana Chocolate Fudge (uses up ripe banana)

Miniature Tea Cup Garden  (Repurpose Tea Cups)