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Sweet Score from Buy Nothing for Valentine’s Day

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day mini-celebration? Don’t underestimate your local community gifting groups. I got this sweet score from Buy Nothing, and it makes the perfect Valentine’s Day after-school snack.

Sweet Score from Buy Nothing for Valentine's Day

Let me tell you a little story about Buy Nothing groups. It all started with this little heart-shaped crystal bowl. If you’re new to Buy Nothing groups, they’re hyper-local gifting groups, the epitome of building community through our abundance and reducing waste. To say I’m a big fan is an understatement!

I highly recommend signing up for your local group if you have one. I’ve shared a ton of information in the past about Buy Nothing groups, including a beginner’s guide to Buy Nothing groups, commonly asked questions, and some of the favorite things that I’ve gifted over the years to my neighbors.

Many Buy Nothing groups operate in Facebook groups or the Buy Nothing app. You can find your group on their website, and you can create a generic Facebook profile without sharing personal updates if you prefer not to engage with the social media elements of Facebook. But back to the chocolate.

Almost a decade ago, I made chocolate fondue for my boys for Valentine’s Day (I shared some photos below just for fun). I felt like it was time to roll that back. When the perfect heart-shaped crystal dish popped up in my Buy Nothing group last week, it felt like my sign from the universe to recreate some fondue fun.

I sliced, stacked, and stirred, making sure not to let the chocolate burn. I used this chocolate fondue recipe to make the chocolate sauce from scratch, and it was so easy.

I finished in the nick of time. My sons walked in from school as I took my first taste. I had some happy after-school snackers, to say the least. Are you surprised?

Sweet Score from Buy Nothing for Valentine's Day

Sweet Score from Buy Nothing + More Than Just Stuff

When it comes to low-waste living, Buy Nothing groups are more than just a place to offload our junk. They’re a space to build community and relationships through the exchange of gifts of abundance without any expectations or ulterior motives. And a place to receive things we need and want without any strings attached.

I love when I can give things away that I no longer need, and I don’t have to throw them in the trash. When so many of us have multiple gigantic trash totes waiting at the ends of our driveways regularly, it couldn’t be more evident how much we are drowning in our abundance and how much we have to share with others.

I’ve also been the lucky recipient of so many things from my neighbors via our Buy Nothing community. This little heart-shaped dish was just another notch on my Buy Nothing belt of super scores for free. 

Have you tried Buy Nothing? What’s the best gift you ever received or given away? 

Fruit & Treats To Pair With Chocolate Fondue

You can find the recipe for the chocolate sauce at the end of the post. Pair your chocolate sauce with whatever treats you like, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

Fruit To Go With Chocolate

  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
  • Bananas
  • Blueberries
  • Pineapple
  • Mango
  • Apple Slices
  • Blackberries
  • Kiwi
  • Peaches

Treats To Go With Chocolate

  • Marshmallows
  • Shortbread Cookies
  • Pretzels
  • Rice Crispy Treats
  • Pound Cake
  • Graham Crackers
  • Pirouettes
  • Madeline Cookies
  • Popcorn
  • Bacon

Chocolate Fondue with Kids Photo Dump (For Fun)

And just for fun, here are a few pics from the first time I made chocolate fondue for the boys when they were much younger. 🙂

Try this healthier yet homemade alternative for a fun and simple snack with the kids. Perfect for Valentine's Day! | Strawberries, raspberries, bananas, marshmallows and homemade chocolate sauce
Try this healthier yet homemade alternative for a fun and simple snack with the kids. Perfect for Valentine's Day! | Strawberries, raspberries, bananas, marshmallows and homemade chocolate sauce
Try this healthier yet homemade alternative for a fun and simple snack with the kids. Perfect for Valentine's Day! | Strawberries, raspberries, bananas, marshmallows and homemade chocolate sauce
Try this healthier yet homemade alternative for a fun and simple snack with the kids. Perfect for Valentine's Day! | Strawberries, raspberries, bananas, marshmallows and homemade chocolate sauce
Try this healthier yet homemade alternative for a fun and simple snack with the kids. Perfect for Valentine's Day! | Strawberries, raspberries, bananas, marshmallows and homemade chocolate sauce
Try this healthier yet homemade alternative for a fun and simple snack with the kids. Perfect for Valentine's Day! | Strawberries, raspberries, bananas, marshmallows and homemade chocolate sauce
Try this healthier yet homemade alternative for a fun and simple snack with the kids. Perfect for Valentine's Day! | Strawberries, raspberries, bananas, marshmallows and homemade chocolate sauce
Try this healthier yet homemade alternative for a fun and simple snack with the kids. Perfect for Valentine's Day! | Strawberries, raspberries, bananas, marshmallows and homemade chocolate sauce
Aftermath of making chocolate fondue with kids when they were little. Ugh…

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11 Sweet Ideas for An (Almost) Zero Waste Valentine’s Day With Kids

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Zero Waste & Free Kids’ Valentine’s Idea For School

About The Author

Jen Panaro

Jen Panaro, founder and editor-in-chief of Honestly Modern, is a self-proclaimed composting nerd and advocate for sustainable living for modern families. To find her latest work, subscribe to her newsletter, Sage Neighbor.

In her spare time, she’s a serial library book borrower, a messy gardener, and a mom of two boys who spends a lot of time in hockey rinks and on baseball fields.

You can find more of her work at Raising Global Kidizens, an online space to help parents and caregivers raise the next generation of responsible global citizens.

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