We’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite natural, organic and sustainable gifts, ones that we know your Valentine will love. (Part 1 of 2.)
Alter Eco Organic Chocolate Truffles
These meltingly delicious and decadent USDA certified organic Sea Salt and Salted Caramel truffles will bring a smile to any chocoholic who also cares about the planet. They are Fair Trade Certified, Carbon Neutral Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified and certified Gluten-Free. alterecofoods.com
Eminence Organic Skincare Lip Trio Kit
This limited edition lip trio, little round mounds of lip-smacking goodness in a pretty package, includes a Citrus Enzyme Lip Exfoliator, Lip Comfort and Plumping Mask and Citrus Lip Balm. They’re loaded with powerful antioxidants, vitamin C, shea butter and avocado oil. eminenceorganics.com
D&A Designs Spanish Heart Pendants
If you are looking for a non-traditional take on a traditional heart pendant, you have found it here, with these gorgeous handmade, one-of-a-kind beauties by artisans (and brothers) Damien & Alex, in Santa Fe, NM: turquoise and sterling silver; gold-tone finish, coral shell and sterling; and more, with chain included. saintestate.com
Vaute Couture
The stylish vegan fashion line, Vaute Couture, partnered with Farm Sanctuary, the national nonprofit dedicated to protecting farm animals from cruelty, to create these powerful, love-inspired tees and sweatshirts, made from 100 percent organic cotton and printed in Brooklyn. A donation of 20 percent of the proceeds goes to support Farm Sanctuary. vautecouture.com
Mariemae Stationary from Enrou
These pretty, eco-friendly cards, available at Enrou, the online store that features sociallly conscious brands, make perfect love notes, old-school style. And, with every purchase, you’ll be helping to support women around the world; Mariemae provides an hour of business training to a woman entrepreneur in a developing market. enrou.co
Ten Thousand Villages Denim Dusk Silk Scarf
This luscious, feather-light but cozy silk scarf is made by artisans in Laos, and hand-dyed using natural dyes. Sales benefit the Phontong Handicrafts Cooperative, to help teach weaving skills and provide free raw materials to artisans. In addition to weaving, it also helps support wood-carvers and basket weavers. tenthousandvillages.com
Becoming Hand-Crafted Jewelry
Each lovely piece is handmade by artists in Kennebunk, MI. We adore the Unending Love necklace, a hand-hammered sterling silver circle on a delicate chain, intended to send a message of love to mom, but the message, of course, is applicable to anyone. becomingjewelry.com
Aromatherapy Associates Limited Edition Renewing Rose Body Velvet
A gorgeous blend of heady essential oils and plant extracts like rose, geranium and sandalwood–along with supremely moisturizing seed oils–this body moisturizer will leave the wearer with a rosy glow, and skin will feel plumper and firmer. Who doesn’t want that? aromatherapyassociates.com
John Masters Organics & Love Mert Sustainable Cosmetic Bag
The two companies collaborated on this 100 percent organic cotton hand-painted heart-design cosmetic bag–available as a gift with purchase–and we hope they will put their heads together more often. Designer Melissa Michelsen and John Masters are a match made in eco-heaven! johnmasters.com
Kakawa Chocolate House Mayan Full Spice
Some like it hot, and when it comes to hot chocolate, the hotter the better, as far as I’m concerned. That’s why this Mayan Full Spice Hot Chocolate, inspired by the drinking chocolate of the Mayans, with organic spices, flowers, herbs and, of course, chilies, is so hard to resist. And isn’t something irresistible exactly what you want on Valentine’s Day? Made by Kakawa House, a new chocolate cafe and must stop on the Santa Fe Trail in New Mexico. kakawachocolates.com