Take the time to find green alternatives for all your V-Day faves - from candy and flowers, to jewelry and candles - for every Valentine on your list.

Giving should come from the heart, especially on Valentine’s Day, so don’t neglect your eco-conscious core. Take the time to find green alternatives for all your V-Day faves – from candy and flowers, to jewelry and candles.

1. Organic, fairtrade chocolates. These days, you should have no trouble finding organic, fairtrade chocolates in local stores. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are sure bets, but you may even have some luck in your corner grocery store.

2. Potted plants from your local nursery. Everyone loves getting fresh flowers, but hates watching them die. Organic potted flowers and plants from your local nursery are the ideal alternative. They live many times longer (if not indefinitely) and aren’t trucked via gas-guzzling transportation from hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of miles away.

3. Cards made from recycled paper and non-toxic inks. As with eco-friendly chocolate, you should have little trouble finding recycled, non-toxic greeting cards in your Trader Joe’s or other local market.

4. Romantic, homecooked dinner made from local organic produce. The day of the big night, hit your local farmer’s market for healthy dishes your honey will love.

5. Homemade sweets for your sweetie. Cookies, cakes and candies made with your own two hands will hit the heart of any Valentine on your list. Just be sure to use organic unbleached flour, raw unprocessed sugar (or sugar alternative like honey or agave nectar), organic free-range eggs (or vegan egg replacer), and other organic ingredients as needed.

6. Organic fairtrade wine. As with chocolates and cards, organic fairtrade wine should be easy to find in your Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods Market, or even at the local grocery store.

7. Organic perfume/cologne. The last thing you want to do on Valentine’s Day is saturate your sweetie in toxic chemicals. Look for a natural, organic brand of perfume or cologne, or make your own out of carrier and essential oils.

8. Sustainable, fairtrade jewelry. Unless you live in a major metropolitan area, finding sustainable fairtrade jewelry in a local store could prove tough, so an online search is probably your best bet. That said, check out your local antique stores and go vintage for your Valentine.

9. Undergarments made from natural organic fabrics. As with jewelry, finding eco-friendly lingerie, boxers and briefs could prove tough in your local stores but a Google search should turn up plenty of online results.

10. Organic bath and body products. Just about every store these days has a natural beauty section, from soaps and powders, to lotions and gels. Or you can always make your own bath and body products from common, easy-to-find ingredients.

11. Natural vegetable wax candles made with organic essential oils. Traditional candles are made from paraffin, a derivative of petroleum. Soy wax is a particularly popular alternative available in most stores today, though try to find those scented with natural essential oils.

For him, for her … for Mom, for Dad … for brothers, sisters and best friends, you’re sure to find the perfect good green gifts for all your Valentines.

Meredith Simonds Green Economy, Green Living