THINK OUTSIDE THE (HEART-SHAPED) BOX
Let's forget the worst of the Hallmark holiday and turn Valentine's Day into a day where we really share the love. While I know it might seem like a bad idea to bypass the jewelry and chocolates, these are gifts that give back and are far more fulfilling than any bracelet ever could be.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT, prices vary
Heifer International hosts a number of programs, all of which are focused on empowering families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity – but it’s not about a handout, rather about ways to help families achieve self-reliance. They do this by providing the tools people need to sustain themselves: to give a hungry family the training it takes to feed themselves and their children; to give a young girl a chance at an education; to empower a woman to have a voice in her community. There are many gifts, but for Valentine’s Day we chose the gifts focused on women’s empowerment.
DIVINE CHOCOLATES USA, prices vary
If you feel you have to present your sweetheart with chocolates, please make sure it’s fair trade like the chocolate from Divine Chocolate USA. It’s owned by cocoa farmers from Ghana and fair trade means that farmers are guaranteed to earn fair wages and aren’t exploited.
BRILLIANT EARTH DIAMONDS, prices vary
OK, OK. We know – you just might have to buy something with diamonds this year. If that’s the case, let’s make them conflict-free, deal? At Brilliant Earth you can design your own jewelry and rest easy knowing that the diamonds you receive were all mined legally.
SUSAN G KOMEN, prices vary
We all love boobs, especially on Valentine’s Day. So why not donate to ensure that all of the women in your life, now and in the future, have healthy ones.
OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH FUND, prices vary
Ovaries aren’t as sexy as boobs, but they’re just as important to protect. And every woman you know has (or has had) them.
UNICEF SUPER HERO PACK, $80.78
You and your significant other can single handedly save a child’s life with the purchase of the Super Hero Pack. It provides 100 Measles, Tetanus and Polio Vaccines; a Vaccine Carrier to ensure every precious drop of vaccine safely reaches a child in need and 10 Mosquito Nets to keep disease-carrying insects from stealing precious lives.
FEED + MOUTH BIG HEART GIFT BAG, $75
Mouth partnered with FEED to curate a Valentine’s Day collection of small-batch goodies packed in their lovely pink canvas bag. This collection of goodies are, of course, on the sweeter side: delicious mini kettle popcorn, organic gummy bears, chocolate peanut butter cookies, chocolate covered Cheerios and a melt-worthy dark chocolate lollipop in the shape of a heart. Not only delicious but the gift bag also provides 25 school meals for children around the world.
