It’s no secret that we at Santa Barbara Stone Masters are all about sustainability. It’s one of the reasons we love natural stone, as we’ve previously discussed here on our blog.
But our passion for sustainable living goes beyond tile floors and granite countertops, and I figured with today being Valentine’s Day, I would share with you some of my favorite ways to practice sustainability on the most romantic day of the year.
CARDS
Whether you’re giving a card to your significant other, or several to your friends, it is always worth being mindful of where your cards came from and how they were made. Most stationary stores, and even some drug stores these days, carry a selection of eco-friendly cards made from recycled materials. Consider having a selection of items on hand from companies like Crane & Co or Smock who prioritize using sustainable resources. If you really want to go above and beyond, seed paper from Botanical Paperworks can even be planted when the recipient is finished with the card, so you can rest assured that you won’t be generating any further waste!
FLOWERS
Don’t settle for just picking up a dozen roses – take the opportunity to be thoughtful about what flowers you choose! Think of them like produce, and swing by your local farmers market to see what flowers are in season. Look for flowers that were grown with sustainable agriculture practices; if convenience is an issue, try ordering ahead of time from companies such as The Bouqs Co., who specialize in farm-to-table arrangements.
Or, even better, consider giving a living plant instead! A pot of herbs smells wonderful and is a great, practical gift; an arrangement of succulents can be beautiful and demands very little water.
WINE
Little else says romance like a nice bottle of wine with dinner.
Seek out vintners that use sustainable growing and fermentation processes, and who are intentional with how they bottle their wine! The Wine Institute is a great resource for learning about how to abide by sustainability with your wine selection.
CHOCOLATE
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a box of chocolates, so make sure the chocolate you buy is organic and fair-trade. Find a local chocolatier and ask what they would recommend! We love Chocolate Maya here in Santa Barbara!
What do you do to be sustainable on Valentine’s Day? We’d love to hear from you! From all of us here at Santa Barbara Stone Masters, we wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day!
