Take your sweetie for a spin this Valentine's Day on a rented bike from Fort Worth Bike Sharing. Courtesy of Fort Worth Bike Share.

Feb. 3, 2023

Valentine's Day is a special time to show love and appreciation to those closest to us. However, with traditional celebrations come a lot of waste, including single-use cards, balloons and wrapping paper. 

It's time to reconsider our Valentine's Day traditions and make them more sustainable. 

We’ve gathered a few suggestions that will help you do just that. Be sure to make reservations early or order in time for Valentine’s delivery. And remember, the most important thing is to spend time with the people you love, no matter how large or small the gesture.

ROLL WITH IT
Make Valentine memories by getting to know our beautiful cities. See Fort Worth by rented bike via Fort Worth Bike Sharing

Fort Worth Bike ShareCourtesy of Fort Worth Bike Share.

Launched on Earth Day, April 22, 2013, the system now includes stations all across the city, including downtown, the Cultural District, Trinity Trails, the Stockyards and even on local college campuses. 

Both classic and electric bikes are available and can be seen by clicking on this station map. A day pass is only $10 or you can buy 6 month’s worth for only 50 bucks. 

For fancier venues, visit DallasByChocolate.com to find a range of Valentine walking and bus tours including The Valentine Rhythms Experience, Decadent Valentine's Dreams Chocolate Tour, the Vegan Valentine Tour, the Champagne and Chocolate Tour and more. Starting just over $50/person, some of the tours are adults only while others allow youngsters. Sounds like fun!

VEGAN FEAST

In addition to the month of love, February is also Black History Month so be sure to support black-owned businesses such as TLC Vegan Cafe at Coit and Campbell in Richardson. 

Mini chocolate cake. Courtesy of TLC Vegan. Read Amy Martin’s review of TLC Vegan.​ Mini chocolate cake. Courtesy of TLC Vegan.

Owner and Chef, Troy Gardner, and his team are taking reservations for a uniquely special 4-course Vegan Valentine’s Day Dinner featuring a main course choice of Creamy Chicken, Artichoke & Squash Calzones, Polenta with Sun-dried Tomato Cream or Truffle & Parmesan Risotto — with all the trimmings, soup, salad and dessert. 

Make plans for Feb. 14, 5-9 pm. $85/person and space is limited. Voted D Magazine’s Best Vegan Restaurant and Culture Map’s Best Ghost Kitchen, TLC Vegan’s Valentine feast is sure to be worth every penny. Make reservations at TLCVeganCafe.com

HAVE YOU HERD?
Give your Valentine a Virtual Cow Hug. Courtesy of Gentle Barn.Give your Valentine a Virtual Cow Hug. Courtesy of Gentle Barn.

The Gentle Barn has done it again, providing a way to help rescued farm animals and have a little fun at the same time.

Their Virtual Cow Hug Valentines include a digital "hug" from bovine friends such as Joyful Heart (CA), Story (MO) or Love (TN), some of the sweet bovines living out their days in safety and happiness at The Gentle Barn sanctuaries. 

For as little as $10 (or more) donated in your loved one's name, The Gentle Barn will send a digital emailed card on Valentine’s Day with a photo and greeting from your cow of choice. Your intended will be a-moo-sed and delighted by this gift that keeps on giving and helps to save even more lives. GentleBarn.org

COOKING FOR TWO
For something a little bit different, surprise your sweetie with a cooking class.

Sign up for a cooking class at Indulge in Fort Worth. Make Your Hand Pies will be held on Feb. 19. Courtesy of Indulge.Sign up for a cooking class at Indulge in Fort Worth. Learn to make hand held pies on Feb. 19. Courtesy of Indulge.

Check out classes at Indulge, a Fort Worth-based joint that describes itself as “a culinary gathering space that is passionate about food, community and building kitchen confidence.”

Founded by culinary dietitian Dixya Bhattarai, upcoming Indulge classes include a Paella Party on Feb. 12, Make Your Own Hand Pies on the 19th and Basic Knife Skills on the 20th, with many more through the spring. 

All classes are hands-on interactive and designed for all-level of home cooks with a communal dining experience at the end. 

Cost is $89 each and you’ll take home skills that will last a lifetime. You can also buy a gift card to allow your recipient to choose their own class. Visit IndulgeFW.com to register or for more info.

BOX OF LOVE

Box of Dallas offers Valentine's Day gift boxes. Courtesy of Box of Dallas.Box of Dallas offers Valentine's Day gift boxes. Courtesy of Box of Dallas.

Former teacher Theresa Dickinson was frustrated by the limited selection of upscale gift ideas available around town, so she launched her own company, A Box of Dallas

She’s brought back her ever-popular Valentine’s Day Gift Box loaded with mostly local goodies: Wickry Candle Co Rose Petals, Cocoandre Chocolatier’s White Chocolate LOVE bar, Texas Treaties’ Rock Candy Sugar Cookie, Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade with heart-paper straw and an Onderkast LOVE Notecard, all packed in a lovely ivory gift box and tied with a satin ribbon. $74 plus $15 for Dallas-area delivery. Shipping also available to Fort Worth and beyond. ABoxofDallas.com.

DEEP IN THE HEART
Texas Original Cinnamon Sugar Coffeecake from Joy Bee BakingTexas Original Cinnamon Sugar Coffeecake from Joy Bee Baking.

If yer lookin’ fer bona fide local goodies for yer Valentine’s guy or gal, mosey on over to the Go Texan online store, sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture. 

Selection ranges from beverages to beauty products and includes such Texas-made treasures as Hill Country Bourbon by Garrison Brothers Distillery, soaps and sanitizers by Eastside Remedios in Austin and even regional dog munchies by Ava Nana N Papa’s Paws Gourmet Dog Treats

Heck, it’s fun just perusin' the online catalog — and you can feel good about supporting folks who are making things by hand, often just down the road a piece. Check out these and more at Shop.GoTexan.org.

NEW FLAME

Write down your wish then light it and watch it rise. Courtesy of Flying Wish Paper.Write down your wish then light it and watch it rise. Courtesy of Flying Wish Paper.

Balloons are not only a source of debris that can be harmful to wildlife and a potential choking hazard for children (they cause more childhood deaths than any other toy according to a study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh). But they also waste helium, which is one of our scarcest natural resources

This year, instead of balloons, celebrate with Flying Wish Paper that safely burns away as it (hopefully) grants your every desire. Made from environmentally friendly rice or bamboo, the papers are biodegradable and the ash is harmless. 

Flying Wish Paper can be a creative and unique way to celebrate Valentine's Day either with your special someone or the whole family. 

Participants simply write their wishes or messages on the paper and then light it, watching as it rises into the air and disappears. Be sure to choose a safe outdoor location for your wish releases. $13.50 for a packet that includes 15 sheets of Flying Wish Paper, 5 wish platforms and even a pencil. Available at Paper Source stores around DFW and online at PaperSource.com. Watch this cute video.

SOLE MATES

Maggie's Organics Socks. Photo by Julie ThibodeauxNatural Grocer's is having a sale on Maggie's Organic socks. Photo by Julie Thibodeaux.

My editor's pick are these deliciously warm and conscientiously green socks from Maggies Organics

Your betrothed will get happy feet with these cozy eco-friendly accessories. 

The mid-calf organic cotton crew socks are made from 98 percent organic cotton. They’re knit and dyed in the USA. Available in tripacks with heart-warming colors such as raspberry, eggplant, teal, gold, forest green and denim.

Natural Grocers is offering special deals this month on the foot apparel — 20 percent off until Feb. 25. And 25 percent off during Valentine's week Feb. 11-14. Regularly priced $8.50 to $27. Available in unisex sizes. See size chart at MaggiesOrganics.com. Find your local Natural Grocers online.

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