When did the simple act of sending flowers become a huge moral conflict?
About the same time buying chocolate did 😉
Personally, I think there are a heck of a lot of things you can easily send to people that are a lot better than flowers and have a better impact on the environment and the recipient. If you haven’t read my post Don’t Send Flowers, please read that one first for some great ideas for alternative to flowers.
Sometimes, though, flowers are just the most appropriate thing. Sometimes, you know someone who just really, really likes to get flowers. And really, what difference does it make?
Actually, it makes a big difference. The traditional flower industry is guilty of a wide variety of sins against the environment and human rights. Green Lifestyle Magazine captured it fairly well in this article, saying:
“According to the International Labor Rights Fund, flower workers are exposed to more than a hundred different pesticides, including some that are either prohibited or restricted in the U.S. and Europe. Pesticide poisoning is responsible for neurological problems, birth defects, miscarriages, and more. The combination of toxic exposure, human rights abuses, and environmental contamination in the flower industry is a sad and ugly example of greed and mistreatment.”
Thankfully, in there are people and companies out there who embrace BOTH capitalism AND social justice/global ethics. And some of those people grow flowers. If you’re going to order flowers, please do it from one of these sites:
They have a bunch of gorgeous herb wreaths |
We chose a bromilead for my mom. |
There are a bunch of fruit trees available. |
I’m totally in love with this little Tuscan Olive Tree |
And how sweet is this little trio of saplings? |
And Gift Baskets:
How adorable are these cookies? |
It even appears to be humane cheese!! |
There are more than just roses, but I happened to like these charities… |
I tell my husband not to buy me flowers because they die. What does that say about our relationship if the gift dies?? Maybe I’m just weird.
I do not care for bouquets, but the BF loves getting flowers. I make a point of getting him FairTrade flowers every now and then, which are available at one of our frequently used grocery stores. I just love the idea of FairTrade (even though these flowers, as opposed to many other FairTrade products, do not carry an additional ORGANIC label).