Valentine’s Day is Steeped in Consumerism—Here’s How You Can Celebrate Mindfully
Feb. 14 is a day that is filled with consumerism. Each year, people load up on chocolates, roses, jewelry and more for their significant other. Many holidays have become consumeristic. For instance, around Christmas, we see shelves filled with Santa decor, and around Halloween, we fill our homes with all things pumpkin. Valentine’s Day is filled with obligatory consumerism—meaning that individuals feel obligated to purchase something for their significant other. However, it is possible to approach this materialistic holiday in a mindful and ethical manner.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated popularly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. In the 17th century, Great Britain began to celebrate this holiday, but it wasn’t until the 18th century that the festivities involved sharing tokens of love through notes and gifts. By 1900, printed cards became a popular way to express love on Valentine’s Day.
Today, Valentine’s gifts are fancy, expensive and not always ethically made.
The two main gifts purchased on Valentine’s are jewelry and chocolate. Despite some jewelry and candy brands attempting to be ethical, there are various companies in which changes are yet to be seen. Diamonds have a negative impact on the environment, and jewelry from some large stores may not be made with employees in mind. Human Rights Watch explains that gold and diamond mining is a critical income source for some workers. However, children have been killed by working in mining pits. Furthermore, it is no secret that the accessories sold in fast fashion greatly contribute to human trafficking.
All the while, the candy industry is another area where trafficking is often seen. To produce the inexpensive chocolate we often see in grocery stores, around 2 million children are forced to work 80-hour-weeks with little to no pay. And about 60% of the cocoa in our world comes from Ghana and the Ivory Coast; This is where children are forced to work 10-hour days on cocoa plantations. This allows major retail stores to sell tons of candy for Valentine’s day at the cost of human trafficking. However, don’t lose hope; there are still ways to honor your loved ones, the environment and human beings this Valentine’s Day!
It is predicted that shoppers will spend a whopping $24.7 billion this Valentine’s Day. If you choose to partake in Valentine’s festivities this year, you can do so in a mindful manner. As the pandemic continues to impact the world, more than 100,000 small businesses have closed their doors. Shopping small is one way to support small companies that are in desperate need of business this year. During the holiday season, use Dressember’s ethical shopping guide, which features businesses that treat their employees fairly. Additionally, you can take a look at our list of Black-owned businesses to shop from this Valentine’s Day.
Here are a few more tips to shop ethically and mindful this Valentine’s Day:
Buy from brands that are Fair Trade. If there is a Fair Trade label on a product, this means that it is held to a higher standard of ethics. This certification protects workers, farmers and their communities. You can also vet brands by how ethical they are here.
Be mindful of where you buy jewelry. This can help you be aware of the companies that treat their employees fairly. This list of ethically made jewelry is a great place to start your search.
Restaurants have taken a hit during 2020. If you and your significant other are celebrating in person together, support your local restaurants by ordering take out.
Avoid consumerism altogether and make something at home. Whether that be a baked good or a card, it is sure to be appreciated.
About the Author
Shannon Haupert is originally from the West Coast and is now navigating life in New York City. You can find her anywhere with a journal in one hand and snacks in the other. She is passionate about sustainability, human rights, and creativity. When she's not writing, she spends her time working as a nanny, exploring the city, and drinking far too much coffee along the way.