Things To Love This February: Valentine's Day

The literal and figurative heart of February is Valentine's Day. Smack dab in the center of the month (as well as in the center of Random Acts of Kindness Week--this year: Feb 11-17), it's a day centered around the heart and cherishing our loved ones.

In case you need a little history lesson, here's a kid-friendly video on the history of St. Valentine's Day.

Given the tie in between Valentine's Day and  Random Acts of Kindness Week, why don't you sprinkle the love and kindness around like little heart-shaped confetti. See how far your heart can spread this year. (There are great resources for both schools and individual use at the Random Act of Kindness website!)

Videos from https://youtu.be/5fmy1MX42b8?si=Rld6OXuBjVqfbafm and https://youtu.be/tOLEyhNJksg?si=yve1Iu5zW8UwbxFE, Image created at canva.com

Plastic-Free This Valentine's Day

 ♥️ Happy Valentine's Day! ♥️

These images struck me that as we are celebrating our loved friends and family this Valentine's Day, maybe we should extend a little love to our planet. Most beautiful part of all of this: it's not limited to just one day in the middle of February. It's something we can do every day!

♥️ I hope your Valentine's Day is full of love and free of plastic! ♥️

From BeyondPlastics, this link will give you 10 plastic-free gift ideas 

if you are still in the market for giving a little plastic-free love today!

"My love language" image from https://twitter.com/ZeroWasteNC/status/1227272442093166593, "Use Real Stuff" image from https://twitter.com/PlasticPollutes/status/1624112261265489934, "Guide to Plastic Free Valentine's Day" image from https://www.beyondplastics.org/holiday-guides/valentines-day 

Nature-Inspired Valentine's Day

"Love, exciting and new....Come aboard, we're expecting you...." 

The theme song that fills my brain every Valentine's Day. The song is indeed a theme song--from the 1977-1986 hit TV show "The Love Boat" (an hour-long rom-com television show for those of you for whom this may have been a bit before your time).

As cupids and images of pink and red float about this "happy heart" holiday, maybe you can get some inspiration from nature this week. Here are a handful of sites with all sorts of Valentine's crafts and card ideas, all stemming from nature or natural items you can find outdoors. Fill you own heart with love of all the planet has to offer while you share forward your love for others.

• 20 Gorgeous Valentine’s Day Nature Crafts for Kidsfrom MotherNatured.com
• 15 Nature-Inspired Valentine Crafts, Activities, and Cards for Kids from RainOrShineMamma.com
• 9 Valentine Nature Crafts for Kidsfrom GoExploreNature.com
• Heart Nature Crafts for Valentine's Day from the UK Growing Family blog

Have a wonderful Valentine's Week filled with love!

Image created at canva.com

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day. May yours be filled with the following, and may you help make the day of everyone in your life. Planet included.

If you're still looking for an eco-friendly gift or way to spend the weekend, be sure to check out my previous post.

Art created at canva.com

Eco-Friendly Valentine's Day Ideas

This Sunday is St. Valentine's Day....

are you ready?

Whether it's Date Night Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, or even Palentine's Day you are celebrating, here are a baker's dozen eco-friendly ideas for ways to celebrate this weekend ahead, all inspired from the article "14 Eco-Friendly Ideas for A Sustainable Valentine’s Day" by Tassia Agatowski. 

Of course, given the pandemic, a couple of the ideas I tweaked. For instance, given we're on the 11 month "staycation," I didn't even go there. We've got that one handled!!

Cheers and have a glorious 'Tine's Day, whatever one you celebrate!!

Videos created at canva.com using information from https://medium.com/eco-living/14-eco-friendly-ideas-for-a-sustainable-valentines-day-1608def73a8d, image from https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day conjures images in tones of pink and red... not typically green. Green is typically more reserved for next month when Irish brogues come dancing off everyone's tongues.

But that doesn't mean you can't have an eco-friendly, heart-filled day.  Here are some thoughts to get you thinking of green ways to share the day with your loved ones.

All You Need for Valentine’s Day in 10 Infographics
From Natalija Snapkauskaite's 1/28/2014 post on Piktochart's Blog:
This article is made for all of us who are extraordinarily visual and love graphic data. You'll find infographics on the history of the day, where the Valentine dollars are going, worldwide traditions, typical social media personals, ways to say "I love you" in a multitude of languages and more.

Have A Green Valentine's Day!
From Mary Kate Ranii's 2/2/2017 Pennyslvania's Resource Council post:
Here you'll find some green gifts, dining, and ambiance ideas... who doesn't love the gift of an experience (where the memory will last a lifetime) or heart-shaped homemade cookies?!

14 Ways To Go Green This Valentine's Day
From Margaret Badore's 2/12/2014 post on Treehugger:
More good ideas (14 in fact) on ways to reduce waste and save money along the way with your loved ones. My favorite: #14 and giving the give of doing something to help someone out!

25 Ways to Set an Earth-Loving Mood This Valentine’s Day
From Katie O'Reilly's 2/12/2019 post in the Sierra Club Magazine:
This article is more for the gift-giver out there who'd like to find something special from a quality brand that places high value on sustainability.

Green Team Gazette Past Posts on Valentine's Day
This is always a good way to go through the archives and get some classic, timeless ideas!


There are lots of ways to show someone you love them. It wouldn't hurt to show the planet a little love along the way this Valentine's Day!

Image from http://greenubuntu.com/how-to-enjoy-an-environment-friendly-green-valentines-day/ and https://www.activekids.com/parenting-and-family/articles/9-nature-themed-valentine-s-day-ideas

Loving Nature This Valentine's Day!

In thinking about Valentine's Day, I was struck by this quote:

Given that, this spoken poem/song by David Attenborough (originally created for BBC One in 2011) seems spot on. If you can't get enough animals, you can always check out ARKive.org,

May we all love what surrounds us: people, animals, nature. Happy Valentine's Day!


 Photos from http://downtownmontessori.com/auto-draft-19/ and http://www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com/love-nature-organic/ and https://zeebeemarket.com/blogs/news/13274453-celebrate-earth-month-with-us; Video from https://youtu.be/auSo1MyWf8g

Virtual Valentine

I love The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Vicki Davis (aka CoolCat Teacher). 10 minutes is the perfect nugget of knowledge for busy teachers, and I always learn something new.

It's here I learned about Virtual Valentines--just in time for that sweet holiday ahead!

This is a passion project created by Dyane Smokorowski, Michael Soskil, Micah Brown, and Stacey Ryan. Their goal--to connect students around the world, inviting them to a take part in a creative design challenge while learning a little bit along the way, making a global connection.  Authentic audience anyone?! I love the tagline: Melting the Miles Between Classrooms!

There are a slew of creative ideas for your valentines here on this portion of their website.

There are 2 levels of involvement options:

* Level 1: Students create a virtual valentine to share with others who have participated around the world to see work from all over the globe.

* Level 2: Get a partner classroom, research the community your partner class is from AND determine the mileage away they are. Then "virtually meet" via Skype.

But move fast! The registration window is closing--this week! The deadline to register is THIS FRIDAY, FEB. 8th! Click here to register!

Images from http://virtualvalentines.weebly.com/map.html and http://virtualvalentines.weebly.com/

Happy Valentine's Day 2018

Image created by me on Buncee: https://app.edu.buncee.com/buncee/951776674e1241c3bb11c45317b7aafa

Tiffany Diamonds Aren't Just for Valentine's Day

Tiffany & Co.'s diamond's aren't just for Valentine's Day.  You could possibly argue they are for Earth Day as well! Or maybe just plain every day, in an eco sort of way!

"Transparency" is a very common word these days in the news.

Tiffany & Co. take transparentcy to a new level as it relates to sustainability.... and "a girl's best friend." (They say "diamonds" are that best friend--well at least Marilyn Monroe and Carol Channing have been known to say that!)

Tiffany & Co., a company that relies on mining to obtain their product, has strong feelings on both sustainability, responsible practices, and the environment. These two videos add a new layer of sparkle to an already-shiny name that is synonymous with jewelry. Perhaps these are why they are leading their industry.

You can learn more about their dedication toward mining responsibility on their very detailed Sustainability portal on their website. In it, they include their plans for a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions future, a Social Accountability program, energy efficiency, commitment to reducing their environmental footprint and more!





videos from https://www.facebook.com/GOODHQ/videos/10154470492003068/?permPage=1 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L02eRwfupc; Images from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamonds_Are_a_Girl's_Best_Friend and http://www.tiffany.com/sustainability#p+1-n+1000-c+-s+-r+-t+-ni+1-x+-pu+-f+-lr+-hr+-ri+-mi+-pp+

Happy Valentine's Day 2017

Nothing says "I love you" like a little time and celebration.  Whether you have a sweetheart this year, young snuggle bunnies of your own at home, college kids to commemorate... or even if you are your own favorite valentine, take time to honor those you love. That includes you! 

Here are 11 eco-friendly ideas to help you sprinkle a little love your way.

To make it even a little more hands-on this Valentine's Day (in a Maker Movement kind of way)... go for a little STEM action! Check out the STEM Activities for Kids website for 4 heart-centered STEM activities that kids (and adults) willl love!):

💝 Catapults & Flying Hearts

💝 Candy Grabber

💝Valentine's Frogs

💝 Heart Rate Math

Buncee created by me & inspired from the article "21 Eco-Friendly & Romantic Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day," from the PostConsumers.com Team, Feb 1, 2013; STEM Activities  pic from http://stemactivitiesforkids.com/2017/01/27/4-valentines-day-stem-activities/

Tinker Crate to Create & Innovate!

Here we are....T-minus-one week to Christmas. Hanukkah and Kwanzaa too, as they fall almost right on top of each other this year. Visions of sugar plums are dancing in people's heads. Especially the younger set, as schools start letting out for break, and anticipation is at all time high.

With a week to go, where are you with your holiday shopping?
Still need some ideas?

If that's the case, the Kiwi Crate family might be the place to investigate.

The Kiwi Crate Company (and it's five thematic family members of hands-on kits for kids) help build imagination through STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. "Our goal is to inspire kids to see themselves as scientists, artists, creators, and makers."

Their kits can be ordered monthly, in 3-month blocks, 6-month blocks, or a whole year subscription to keep the creativity come every month for a year. For the crafty, experimenter, innovative kid...this could be the perfect gift you are looking for.

Their brands & kits are all hands-on, developmentally-appropriate activities for each age, with STEAM in mind.  Likewise, they can grow with your kids and their interests, always bringing mystery and invention to your mailbox!

• Tinker Crate--for ages 9-16, for those who thrive on science & engineering

• Doodle Crate--for ages 9-16, for those who lean toward art & design

• Kiwi Crate--for ages 5-8, for the art, science, & engineering kids who like to tinker

• Koala Crate--for ages 3-4, geared to inspire kids to play and learn through stories and games

• Cricket Crate--for newborns ages 0-2 to build a foundation for a love of learning

All images from http://www.kiwicrate.com/

Happy Valentine's Day Via The U.S. Department of the Interior

The U.S. Department of the Interior has posted this great video on their Facebook page in honor of Valentine's Day.   It's a great way to get in the spirit of love, beauty, romance, and nature seeing these national sight of beauty.
Click here to view the video.

May your Valentine's Day be filled with love--
for your people, for yourself, and for the wonder of nature that surrounds us all.

America’s public lands are wonderful places to love and be in love. Every year thousands get engaged and married in...
Posted by U.S. Department of the Interior on Friday, February 12, 2016