How to Plan an Earthy Valentine's Day Evening

Tired of the commercialization surrounding Valentine's Day? Want the celebration of your love to be more ecologically or naturally oriented? Pay homage to your lover in an eco-friendly way.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vegetarian Cookbook
• One Red Candle
• Potted Rose Bushes
• Rose Bushes
• Scented Candle Set
• Two White Candles
• Pottery Painting Services

1. Forget about cut roses. Give your valentine a rose bush to plant in his or her garden or a potted miniature rose plant to keep on her windowsill.

2. Instead of buying chocolate confections with packaging sure to end up at a nearby landfill, make your lover his or her favorite sweet - fudge, cookies, chocolate soufflé.

3. Send an electronic valentine (see related eHow) instead of one that originated from the trunk of a tree.

4. Make your love a present instead of buying one. Ideas: self-painted pottery, a photograph you took, hand-knitted socks (assuming you knit), a self-composed love song, a donation in his or her name to your eco-oriented nonprofit of choice.

5. Plan an evening stroll through a nearby park, forest, or beach. Hold hands, stare at the stars and moon, and listen to the sounds of nature. Dress warmly. If it's rainy, find a covered vista or gondola and kiss to keep warm.

6. Make reservations at an eco-friendly vegetarian restaurant, or don your chef's hat and prepare a vegetarian meal that's good to the tastebuds and good to the planet.

Tips & Warnings

• For dinner at home, play a nature sounds CD for added ambiance. Instead of using overhead lights, place candles around the living and dining rooms.