Don't Buy Roses

If you are one of those unfortunates obligated to make some kind of offering at the altar of Getting Laid/Not Sleeping on the Couch Again for Valentine's Day, but also care about the environment...don't buy roses. At least not ones that don't explicitly say they're grown in the U.S.

I believe it's Libya that has the largest flower farming trade--either way, it's some African country/ies--but, long story short, mass production of flowers is terrible for the environment.

For one, the genetic pushing that goes into making that giant perfect blossom requires a ton of water. We're talking ecosystem-damaging ton of water, seriously it's not good for lakes.

For two, flowers not grown in pesticide-regulating countries are lathered with chemicals to keep them fresher longer (I mean, how else would they get from Africa to a supermarket here anyway).

So yeah. What should you buy?

a) Sweets. Everything comes in sugar free or low fat now, there's no excuse not to even if s/he's on a diet. Besides, one truffle doesn't hurt....
b) Shinies.