Eye opening information. Heartbreaking to think of the inhumane working conditions and threat to the environment all for the sake of profit. The flowers and chocolates are both suspect depending on where they are produced. I love Valentine's day because of the sweet sentiment, ease of gift/card exchange, but there won't be any more cut flowers in my home after reading this. I like the alternative ideas. I also thought of a homemade card with the givers attempt at drawing a rose for me, a walk at the local botanical gardens, a new plant for the yard, so many other ways to express love and warmth without bringing anyone else down. Thanks for bring this out into the open, Vanessa!
What an eye opening post. Thank you for drawing attention to this issue. Mass consumption, profit over people, mindless consumerism and desensitising to the plight of others and not thinking long term for a quick short term "high" is taking over every single industry. Turning to local, being mindful and being gentle with our resources is the only sensible route through this all. We stopped buying flowers many years ago, my lovely neighbour (a dear woman from China with a deep love affair for blooms and a deep talent for watercolours and portraits) has cultivated the most beautiful garden of David Austen roses, foxgloves, daisies, dahlias and wildflowers. Every now and then she leaves a bench full of bespoke bouquets with an "honesty cash box" out front and it is always a treat to buy a beautiful bouquet when she does that. And our Valentine's love language is food. I make a special 3-course meal every year for my husband and two boys and we set a nice table and enjoy a lovely meal and toast to love :). Hope you have a lovely weekend! Thank you for mentioning my recipes. x
Eye opening information. Heartbreaking to think of the inhumane working conditions and threat to the environment all for the sake of profit. The flowers and chocolates are both suspect depending on where they are produced. I love Valentine's day because of the sweet sentiment, ease of gift/card exchange, but there won't be any more cut flowers in my home after reading this. I like the alternative ideas. I also thought of a homemade card with the givers attempt at drawing a rose for me, a walk at the local botanical gardens, a new plant for the yard, so many other ways to express love and warmth without bringing anyone else down. Thanks for bring this out into the open, Vanessa!
What an eye opening post. Thank you for drawing attention to this issue. Mass consumption, profit over people, mindless consumerism and desensitising to the plight of others and not thinking long term for a quick short term "high" is taking over every single industry. Turning to local, being mindful and being gentle with our resources is the only sensible route through this all. We stopped buying flowers many years ago, my lovely neighbour (a dear woman from China with a deep love affair for blooms and a deep talent for watercolours and portraits) has cultivated the most beautiful garden of David Austen roses, foxgloves, daisies, dahlias and wildflowers. Every now and then she leaves a bench full of bespoke bouquets with an "honesty cash box" out front and it is always a treat to buy a beautiful bouquet when she does that. And our Valentine's love language is food. I make a special 3-course meal every year for my husband and two boys and we set a nice table and enjoy a lovely meal and toast to love :). Hope you have a lovely weekend! Thank you for mentioning my recipes. x