With Valentines Day just around the corner we will soon be searching for the perfect gift to show our love for our friends and family. There are so many options for Valentines day and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to show a lot of love.
DIY projects can save money and can be made with reusable materials to create a truly unique gift. Pinterest has countless DIY ideas from cards and wine racks to even patio furniture! If you’re thinking of impressing your honey with a home improvement project check out Second Use, their unique and reused materials can add a special touch to any project.
Another option is buying gifts from local shops and artisans. If you are looking to give a traditional gift of flowers and chocolate Terra Bella is a sustainable flower shop that sources local, organic, consciously grown flowers. Theo has fair trade, organic and locally produced chocolate sold at their factory location and local grocery stores. If the way to your partners heart is through his or her stomach then head to a local bakery. We love Stuffed Cakes which specializes in vegan and gluten free options and Little Rae’s Bakery which is an all nut-free bakery that will ship their products anywhere for you and has them available at Thriftway, PCC, Metropolitan Market and other local cafes. For unique, locally flavored gifts and cards you can go to Northwest Art & Frame. Or if your four-legged friend is your valentine this year Mud Bay has all-natural treats for your pet. For those of you with kids who exchange valentines with their class, consider having your children create homemade valentines with recycled materials or swapping out candy for seed packets from Seattle Seed Co.
Shopping local is a great way to not only show love for your local economy but also to find one of a kind gifts from your own neighborhood that are ethically and responsibly produced.