By Melissa Breyer / Source: TreeHugger

valentine

Although it has become an occasion swathed in pastels and marked by mawkish hearts and cutie-pie Cupids, Valentine’s Day wasn’t always such a sweet affair. Some say that the Hallmark holiday has its roots in the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia – a drunken love frolic held during mid-February in which men sacrificed goats and dogs, and then ran around naked striking eager young women with the hides of the newly slain animals to ensure fertility. Sex lotteries were held; frowsy revelry ensued.

Fast-forward to the present, and the day of all things pink is steeped in severe sentimentality and no shortage of profligate consumerism … all in the name of love! So with that in mind we thought borrowing from the holiday’s saucier past – with a hint of dark Victoriana and Charles Addams thrown in for good measure – might be a refreshing way to recast green gift giving for your sweetheart. So without further ado, here are our sustainable picks for unexpected gifts that say “Be Mine” with nary a pink fluffy teddy bear in sight.

green

Roses are so predictable – for a Valentine’s Day more Addams Family than FTD, why not entice your love with a carnivorous, fly-eating plant? Bonus points for an erotic twist: Named for Venus, the goddess of love, Dionaea muscipula has a bit of a naughty secret. When John Bartram, the Royal Botanist to King George III for the North American Colonies, first sent a specimen back to Europe for further study, he nicknamed the plant “tipitiwitchet” or “Tippity Twitchet” because of its resemblance to human female genitalia. Mr. Bartram!

(Venus flytraps, various prices)

green2

Straight from wonderfully witchy town of Salem, Massachusetts comes these small-batch, natural soy wax candles made in reusable cocktail glasses. Both of these are scented with phthalate-free fine fragrance oils and all-cotton wicks: Black Valentine is redolent of “blood & roses” (blood orange and roses) while Rosewood Musk brings to mind fresh cut rosewood and musk. Totally spellbinding.

(Rosewood Musk + Black Valentine, $20 each)

green3

The antithesis of red frilly underthings, this pretty-as-a-peacock set from Naja is not only beautiful to behold, but is made through the company’s partnership with the Golondrinas Foundation and Underwear for Hope program. Meaning that these exotic knickers help educate single mothers so that they can learn marketable skills. Sexy and sustainable, yes and yes.

(One Night in Cashmere bra and lo-rise, $89)

green4

Because really, who doesn’t love a spider intricately crafted out of old timepiece parts? All watch-bits insects created by A Mechanical Mind are marvels of teeny parts put together to create a fabulous whole. Spider No 65, pictured here, was made with recycled watch parts and recycled electrical cord wire – and if he is gone by the time you click over to the Etsy shop, there are other creepy-crawly critters (and jewelry too) sure to please your entomology-enamoured beloved.

(Spider No 65, $240)

green5

Seal the deal with the dark arts – this kit come with everything you need to concoct a love potion, including dried herbs, infused honey, rose hydrosol, reusable ornate glass bottles, labels, instructions, and rose quartz. Drink it together and feel the magic.

(LovePotion kit, $45)

Read more @ TreeHugger