Feb. 7, 2024

Choosing eco-friendly Valentine's Day gifts is a thoughtful way to show your love while being mindful of the environment. Try to select products with minimal, recycled or recyclable packaging, sustainable materials and quality end-of-life options. Here are some ideas that your lover will love and that won’t wreck the planet:

BACKPACK TO THE  FUTURE

This vegan backpack, made from a vegetable-based leather, is available in two colors (Ecru and Fir Green) in two sizes. Courtesy of S3niorman.

A new generation of entrepreneurs are creating companies and products with sustainability in mind. Local University of Texas at Dallas students Martin Ibritam and Samuel Nwajei, built S3niorman “around the love for minimalism and creativity intertwined.” 

Their S3niorman vegan leather goods met their own personal mantras and budding business goals. The inspiration behind the brand stems from their roots. 

A “Seniorman” is regarded to as a reputable person of high standards in Nigeria and across Africa. This writer had a chance to review their products and can attest to their high standards.

Our fav is the Ecru Backpack, crafted from soft, glove faux leather. Each unisex bag sports handy inner and outer pockets to hold all your truelove’s gear plus a lined laptop sleeve, a top handle as an alternative to back wear and full adjustable back straps for optimal comfort. Offered in mini $125 (16-inch height) or standard  $175 (19-inch height), both sizes are also available in fir green. We can’t wait to snare one for our own travels and travails. 

Free shipping on orders over $200. 

WEAR YOUR FEELINGS! 

Christy Robinson Designs makes some of the most adorable and heartfelt sustainable jewelry that we have ever seen. We met Christy several years ago at one of the local vegan festivals and have been an admirer ever since. 

Her jewelry is reasonably priced, all handmade with sustainable and vegan materials by Christy herself down in Hubbard, Texas — and truly a keepsake that your sweetie will adore! 

This month, Christy has some new Valentine/Galentine-themed charms and jewels in her Valentine Section!  She also has a coupon code GALENTINEVALENTINE for 25 percent off your online orders — offer ends Feb. 15.  

Free US shipping on orders over $35. Worldwide shipping also available so this is a great gift idea if you have a friend or loved one out of the country.

These Sagauro Cactus earrings, handmade from recycled aluminum, sell for $25. Courtesy of Christy Robinson Designs.

A PEN FOR ALL SEASONS

Former graphic designer Tom Gyr was watching his wife, Gemma, use a typical, disposable pen one day and he wondered why no one had created a viable, refillable version. Drawing on his background in furniture and product design and using his father-in-law’s 1960s Original Myford lathe, he created a virtual work of art out of scraps of Corian and brass. 

Gemma loved it and so did lots of other folks. Fast forward a few years and Tom, Gemma and their team make dozens of products in addition to that first refillable pen, now called Lumos. Their calligraphy pens, double-ended fine and brush writer, fountain pens and beautiful journals and accessories will please any writer, artist, engineer or others who appreciates a fine writing instrument that will be handed down for generations. 

As their website notes, “It is Tom & Gemma’s vision to stay small, keep serving a wonderful community of like-minded creative folk and to do the work they love for people who care.” The original Lumos starts at $75. TomsStudio.com.

HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE

Looking for some of the finest chocolate in the world for your beloved? After more than a decade of selling Fortunato Chocolate exclusively through upscale, 5-star restaurants and high end chocolatiers, Fortunato has finally made their products available to the general public. These unique chocolates are made in Washington state from a rare Peruvian cacao strain that was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 2009. 

The family-owned company buys only organically grown, pure Nacional cacao, at an average of 10 times FairTrade premiums, from more than 500 small cacao farm families in northern Peru. Their beautiful handmade chocolate bars are each a small work of art and they taste as exquisite as they look. A favorite for milk chocolate lovers is the 36 percent Milk, Strawberries, Cranberries, Nibs Bar with generous chunks of dehydrated fruit and cacao nibs. 

Prefer dark? Check out their Jalapeño, Pumpkin Seed and Pistachio Bar. 

For vegans, you can’t go wrong with Vegan Brownie Bites with dates, cacao nibs, walnuts, almonds and a sprinkle of sea salt that are as nutritious as they are delicious. 

Or for true chocoholics, choose from several 1 lb. blocks of pure, sweet chocolate. 

Last but not least, this writer’s favorites are the Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Turtles that are so amazing that you won’t want to share them! Prices range from around $9 to just over $22. 

STAY STRONG

Does your beloved enjoy a wide variety of breakfast beverages but they don’t like dealing with all of the necessary gadgetry? We all appreciate tea bags for their convenience — and now there’s a simple solution that makes coffee just as simple and yet delicious. 

Steeped Coffee has created totally compostable coffee bags filled with craft-roasted ground beans, ethically sourced from environmentally-friendly growers. 

The beans are precision ground to the micron and triple nitro sealed for freshness. Each java-filled individually-wrapped bag, as well as the outer packaging, is fully compostable – ensuring ecologically-conscious coffee drinkers can enjoy the perfect brew and reduce their environmental impact at the same time. Ideal for home, travel, camping, gift baskets and more. Choose Steeped Coffee’s best-selling variety pack, The Lineup, for the ultimate introduction to their light, medium, dark, and French roasts. Or hone in on your lover’s favorite. Decaf available too. $14.95 for 8 coffee bags. 

OLD IS NEW

Local gal Rosemary Couvdos has been making framed jewelry art for many years and loves creating timeless treasures that will evoke memories and nostalgia. She incorporates found jewelry and other objects into her works and sells them mostly through her Etsy shop, Time4EverySeason. 

She can also take your jewelry and small objects, perhaps from a loved one, and make a custom work of art just for them. Inspired by her faith, (Ecclesiastes 3:1), Rosemary notes, “My jewelry art is made with lots of love, thought, care and with much attention to detail. All of my pieces have a story to tell, a message to give… Saving the planet one brooch at a time.” 

Her pieces are also showcased at Frisco Mercantile. Prices range from $50 - $150 and up. Reach out to Rosemary directly at (469) 989-8244. 

LOCAL TRIO

Bonton Farms has partnered up with our friends at A Box of Dallas to offer a delicious honey, granola and cookie gift trio just in time for Valentine’s. This lovely offering will tickle your lover’s fancy as they sample locally-harvested honey, a crisp and scrumptious shortbread cookie from Kessler Baking Studio and Orange Maple granola from White Rock Granola. 

Theresa Dickinson with A Box of Dallas says that it’s one of her best boxes ever. 

She’s so happy to support Bonton Farms and their mission of bringing sustainable farming to Dallas as well as her other local suppliers. 

Each comes in a classy fold and tuck gift box with ivory fill, complimentary handwritten notecard and a double-sided satin ribbon. $64 plus $15 for Dallas-area delivery. 

Shipping also available to Fort Worth and beyond. Theresa says, “Once you place your order, please allow 1-3 business days for production plus transit time for delivery. If you need your order on or by a specific date, please email us at hello@aboxofdallas.com and we will try our best to make it happen!” ABoxofDallas.com.

YUMMIES FOR YOUTHS

Seeking a fun Valentine’s treat for the young folks in your life, without all of the yuck that’s in so many products? 

Since 2007, YumEarth has been making organic candy with simple ingredients that you can easily pronounce. Their mission is ‘to make life’s moments a little sweeter, simpler and filled with joy.’ 

They never use high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes or GMOs so your family can snack safely. YumEarth allergy-friendly Valentine’s Day candy is perfect for school or office parties, candy-grams or sharing with someone special. 

Choose from Valentine’s Day giggles chewy candies (10 for $9.69), lollipops (40 for $9.69) and jelly beans (15 for $13.99), all yummy and totally organic. Prices may vary. Find locally at most major retailers including Whole Foods, Target and Walmart or order online at YumEarth.com.

HEALTHY GOODIES

MadeGood Organic Chocolate Chip Mini Bars are the ideal Valentine party goodie. 

Loaded with organic gluten-free oats, agave, chocolate chips, brown rice syrup and brown rice crisps, these bars create a delicious yet healthy snack. 

Launched by three siblings who love healthy food, all MadeGood products are baked in a dedicated nut-free facility and are free from the most common allergens. 

Grab a few boxes to share with friends, family or at the office. A sweet treat for college students too. Great for your kids to take to school also, especially if it's a nut and peanut-free campus. Find online at Instacart or Amazon as well as grocery stores all around town. We saw them at Target too in the Valentine gifts aisle. Around $7 for a box of 30. 

FLOWER POWER

Enjoy an evening in Old Town Coppell. Bishop Hill Farm Flowers is offering a tremendous deal for anyone who wants to learn the tips and techniques for drying flowers. 

Bishop Hill Farm Flowers is hosting a Dried Flower Workshop on Feb. 15. Courtesy of Bishop Hill Farm Flowers.

Buy one registration for $75 and get a friend's for half off to this once a year Lasting Love with Dried Flowers Workshop! 

Owned and operated by longtime eco gal Amanda Vanhoozier, all Bishop Hill Farm Flowers are sustainably grown on a local urban flower farm in historic Old Town Coppell. 

Amanda sells fresh flower bouquets and then preserves any leftovers by drying them, so her work is naturally sustainable. 

This is a rare chance to visit Bishop Hill Farm Flowers, meet some new friends and make a Spring Awakening Wreath as seen on the doorways in the Greek Isles. 

Bishop Hill Farm offers a Spring Bouquet Subscription for $75.

Grab your paramour and learn together while enjoying special savings. 

This workshop will be in the beautiful A2Zen Studio off the driveway to Bishop Hill Farm. Limited space. Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 568 South Coppell Road Coppell. $75 each with 50 percent off second ticket.

Bishop Hill Farm also offers a Spring Bouquet Subscription for the flower lover in your life. Pick up seasonal flowers once or twice a month at Coppell Farmers Market from April to June for $75 to $150. Gorgeous Dried Flower Arrangements are also available for purchase for $15 to $25.

GET WILD

Give the love in your life something really wild — Amy Martin's Wild DFW! The guide to "exploring the amazing nature In and around Dallas-Fort Worth," makes a great gift for both experienced hikers and newbies. 

Purchase on the Dallas-based indy site Pretty Things and Cool Stuff or Amazon.

Or buy directly from Amy at one of her talks or walks, which are ongoing. 

RELATED ARTICLES

'Green' flower farm in Coppell is blooming business

Stay up to date on everything green in North Texas, including the latest news and events! Sign up for the weekly Green Source DFW Newsletter! Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. Also check out our new podcast The Texas Green Report, available on your favorite podcast app.