Lady just sent me a link to this article [hint hint?] on how people are spending their money in regards to social conscious gifts. On V-day, this takes a step up with flowers, chocolate and jewelry [specifically diamonds].
There are alternatives to just about everything out there. Costs is one obstacle, but as people buy more of these things, bigger companies will buy more in bulk and will aid in lowering the prices across the board."More and more consumers care about these issues," said Payal Sampat of Earthworks, which advocates mining reforms. "A decade ago, people weren't concerned about sweatshops. ... Now it has moved into the mainstream. The same will be true of engagement and wedding rings."
John Peck of Family Farm Defenders in Wisconsin wants to know: Would chocolate taste as sweet if recipients knew that children were forced to pick the cocoa beans? "If you're going to give something to someone you care about, it should reflect your values," Peck said.
That appears to be a belief shared by many Americans. A 2004 corporate citizenship study conducted by Cone, a Boston-based communications agency, found that 90 percent would consider switching products or services if they felt the company behaved illegally or unethically.
Some alternatives listed in the article...
On chocolates: Buy fair trade chocolate. It currently makes up only 1% of the $13B U.S. chocolate market, but there is a more well-known big brand, Divine Chocolate. I like to get chocolate from Trader Joe's, those huge hunks of dark chocolate are a fav. I have no idea if those are organic/fair trade/socially conscious, but TJ's has a goal of being socially conscious so I'm gonna say most likely.
On flowers: Buy organic. Last year, Americans bought up $8M worth of organic pesticide-free flowers. I haven't seen a place that specifically sells organic flowers, but let me suggest again Trader Joe's which sells flowers and I'm assuming that these are good in some way given their track record.
On jewelry: Buy conflict-free diamonds or buy Canadian which requires [at least] origin guarantees. My suggestion, buy a fucking CZ. I don't really see a point in diamonds. They're not even the rarest stone out there, they're plenty plentiful. Their "rarity" is artificial. I think either [or both] emeralds or rubies are rarer. But if you must, don't buy blood diamonds. That shit is fucked up.
I agree with you about diamonds. Lots of reasonable girls agree with you about Diamonds. However, as to the girls, when it comes to their turn to receive one free of charge, nobody wants to be the first to say in earnest "I don't really want one."
Posted by: agustin | February 14, 2006 at 01:47 PM
I don't really want one.
Posted by: KT | February 14, 2006 at 04:15 PM
And, yes, I have said that when offered (it's never really free anyway :) ).
Posted by: KT | February 14, 2006 at 04:17 PM