DIY gifts

As with many other holidays in the United States, Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays where we tend to spend money on stuff. Cards, flowers, candies and gifts. We often share a message about buying and consuming less stuff, and we believe you should show appreciation of your significant other or loved ones every day. However, if there’s that someone special that you just want to shower with gifts we’ve got some ideas for how to show your love for the planet too!

 

Valentine’s Date Night Out

Choose a restaurant that sources their ingredients locally! We’re lucky in Charlottesville that so many of our amazing restaurants care about this and choose to purchase meats and vegetables from local farms. It reduces the carbon footprint of your meal because the food doesn’t have to travel as far! Here are a few of our local favorites:

  1. Revolutionary Soup (they also have a great vegetarian selection for the extra Earth conscious eaters)
  2. The Local
  3. Beer Run
  4. C & O Kitchen
  5. Brookville Restaurant

Cville Scoutology Shares a few more

Gifts Galore

Gifts are often the focal point of Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean they need to be a burden to the earth. You can find some amazing gifts from second hand boutiques and antique shops. Another eco-conscious Valentine’s gift option is to make your own Valentine’s Day card. Of course it’s not as convenient, but we’re certain they’ll appreciate the effort much more!

Pinterest is loaded with ideas for easy DIY crafts for romantic gifts and children’s school valentine’s cards

Better yet, support Charlottesville Community Bikes and send your special someone a sweet half dozen scones delivered by bike for Valentine’s day! Click here to place your order by Feb 12th

Shop local for gifts!

Check out Galentine’s Day on Feb 11th where 20 local female artisans selling goods to benefit the Women’s Initiative!

Flower Fix

These beauties are often the go to quick valentine’s gift, but where did they come from and what was sprayed on them? The reality is that during this time of year those roses are often imported from thousands of miles away or are grown in nurseries where energy efficiency is not top of mind.

If you’re set on giving flowers try to pick ones that you know are grown locally, or are labeled “Sustainable,” “Fair Trade” and “Organic” for the healthiest and highest quality. Better yet, why not give a house plant as a gift. It sure does last longer than a week.

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Best Holiday Gift Picks (Buying Local)

by Betty on December 21, 2012

[This is a holiday series of eco-friendly gift-giving ideas!  Enjoy]

 

Do you want to give a gift that you can wrap and put under the tree? You can still give green gifts! Try to shop for sustainably-produced or local items, or make your own gifts! Buying products made sustainably or with responsibly-sourced components is a great way of telling business that you support sustainability (and so you promote increased adoption of sustainable practices). Buying local products allows you to reduce the carbon footprint of your purchases because items don’t have to travel very far to reach a store’s shelves.

 

1. For local products, check out:

 

  • The Virginia Shop – Located in Barracks Road shopping center, the Virginia Shop is home to a wide variety of gift items (food, wine, crafts, art) all made in Virginia. (434) 977-0080. 1047 Emmet Street North, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
  • The Made In Virginia Store (online) – Don’t want to leave the comfort of your home to face the bustling holiday shopping crowds? Check out the Made In Virginia Store website for foods, books, clothing, souvenirs, and other gifts, all made in Virginia!
  • For more ideas, browse Charlottesville’s Shop Local. Shop Charlottesville! resource online.

 

2. For sustainable clothing or eco-friendly household items, head to:

 

  • Sustain Inc – An “environmentally keen” apparel, accessories, and furnishings store located in the Main Street Market in Downtown Charlottesville. (434) 244-0028. 406 West Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903.
  • Blue Ridge Eco Shop – This shop tries to make being green accessible and affordable to the everyday consumer. (434) 296-0042 313 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

 

3. To buy local arts and crafts, visit:

 

  • C’ville Arts – A cooperative gallery featuring the work of Virginia artists and artisans located on the Downtown Mall. (434) 972-9500. 118 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
  • Warm Springs Gallery – This gallery aims to deliver fine art at any budget level and exhibits painters specializing in Virginia landscapes, as well as craft artisans. (434) 245-0800. 103 3rd Street Northeast, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
  • LawnLife – Shop LawnLife’s Etsy shop for photo gifts celebrating the beauty of the University of Virginia’s iconic Lawn.
  • Etsy – Etsy sells crafts created by artisans all around the world. Search for products made in Virginia, or even products made here in Charlottesville. You’re bound to find something wonderful that you weren’t expecting.

 

If you want to make your own gifts, get ideas from Pinterest! Our favorites include wine cork coasters, DIY hair accessories, and homemade blankets. Just have fun with it, and you’re sure to come up with something amazing. Plus, your family and friends will be touched by your thoughtfulness and effort.

 

Got more ideas? Feel free to share them in the comments!

 

From everyone at Better World Betty, here’s wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday season!

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