3 Ways to Keep Your Valentine’s Day Cruelty-Free!
Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching, and the popular portrayal of the day usually revolves around chocolate, roses, flowers, romance and more chocolate.
Of course there are many who have redefined what this day can mean, and for those who want to keep some of the concepts and treats listed above alive and well this February 14-without compromising on their ethics-here are three ways to keep Valentine’s Day cruelty-free!
1. DIY Chocolate!
As if we need another excuse to splurge on and enjoy chocolate! However, instead of buying packaged heart-shaped sweets for your special someone, why not take it up a notch and craft something from scratch? A homemade dessert always shows how much you care, and you can keep the resulting chocolate fair trade and vegan by choosing your own ingredients, and therefore keep it cruelty-free!
And what better way to personalize a gift for someone other than making it yourself? If your valentine loves cinnamon, you can sprinkle some on a fudge cake, if they can’t get enough of coconut, you can use coconut oil as your base, and top it off with some snow flake-esque coconut flakes! If you are hoping to keep the design love-themed, by keeping the treat homemade, you are free to shape and design it however you like!
If you need some inspiration, head over to the recipe section of Clearly Veg and find some delicious dessert ideas that will really impress!
2. Skip Flowers & Give the Gift That Keeps on Giving!
Flowers are given as gifts for most holidays and special occasions. While they can be beautiful, they can also be very detrimental to the environment due to the production process that comes as a result of their high demand, and can be equally negative in terms of working conditions. While there are some eco-friendly options that exist, why not opt for a different yet similar idea of giving someone a potted plant instead?
Rather than gifting roses that will soon wither away and die, give the gift that keeps on giving! You can choose herb varieties that your valentine will appreciate (dill, basil, cilantro, parsley, etc.) or even a non-edible plant. Either way, the plant will survive past the holiday, and it can be a much longer show of appreciation for someone who deserves it. Bonus points if you create/design the pot too!
3. Say “Be Mine” With Some Vegan Wine!
Besides chocolate and romance, or as a side-kick to both, alcohol-namely wine, is usually on the menu for Valentine’s Day. What many people do not realize is that many alcohol brands and types actually include animal ingredients-whether it is gelatin, or isinglass (fish guts). Keep your booze free of any surprises and opt for vegan alternatives. Just click the header link and search for any brand to find out if it’s veg-friendly!
So no matter how you choose to celebrate February 14 (if at all), these are some tips to keep the occasion fun, delicious, and cruelty-free!