Turn Esther Green this Valentine's Day

According to answers.com, a woman named Esther Howland had the grand idea of mass marketing Valentine cards in the late 1800's. (Why does she look so unhappy in her picture?) Today, about one billion Valentine cards are sent each year.

I'm all for spreading the love, but there are more tree friendly ways of doing so...

• Create your own Valentine cards from things you already have at home: construction paper, scraps of wrapping paper, markers, glitter, etc. Put some red lipstick on and pucker up on a few areas of the card. What could be sweeter than sending your very own kiss?

• Use the beauty of cyberspace and send an e-card. With the ability to plug in a date of delivery, you can rest assured your love note will reach its recipient on time. Not since Cupid's arrow has anything been so accurate!

• Buy 100% recycled Valentine cards like these.

• Best of all, you can really plant one on the object of your affection by sending them a card that blossoms!

Hugs and Kisses!