Sustainable Valentine’s Day Gifts

Valentine’s Day is so fun. I love any chance I get to show the people around me how much I love them, but I don’t want those expressions of love to also hurt the planet. This guide will help you make more sustainable decisions while buying your valentines and galentines something special.

1. Chocolate & Candy

Gifting chocolate is a kind gesture, but most chocolate brands are sold wrapped in plastic. Opt for candy wrapped in foil to lessen the environmental impact of your gift. Even if these candies are sold in a larger plastic bag, at least you are keeping 30 little plastic wrappings out of the waste stream. After your valentine is done eating their chocolate, they can compact the aluminum wrappings in a ball and recycle it! You could even go a step further and seek out fair trade chocolate, ensuring that your gift of love did not exploit chocolate laborers. This resource will help you find fair trade candy and chocolate.

2. Potted Plants

Potted plants make a great Valentine’s Day gift because they will (hopefully) last years & your valentine will think of you every time they care for the plant. Buy your plants from a local florist so you can easily determine the best kind of plant to buy for your valentine’s home.

Cut flowers are beautiful, but this article clearly explains the harmful impacts they have on our planet. They require toxic pesticides, are grown far away from the US, and they travel by refrigerated truck to get to you. This whole process pollutes the environment and releases excess amounts of carbon dioxide. Why gift something that measurably harms the environment and then will inevitably get thrown out? Of course, if your galentines are like me, the potted plant might not survive very long either.

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Image Source: The Sill

3. Local & Small Business Jewelry

Shopping small means supporting your local economy and experiencing great customer service. Large jewelry stores like Kay Jewelers, Zales, and Jared are notorious for low quality products and treating their employees poorly. Opt for jewelers who prioritize using recycled materials, like Catbird. Check out the Etsy recycled jewelry market for unique, upcycled finds. Starfish Project exists to support exploited women escaping from trafficking. Currently, my favorite jewelry store is a women-owned and led store near me called Orenda.

4. Aid Their Sustainability

Gift your galentines and valentines something that will make their lives a little more sustainable. In the spirit of Valentines day, buy the item in pink or red! Pictured below are some fun ideas ranging from $9 – $110. They all come in other colors, too ?.

Images sourced from the companies linked above

5. Experience Something Together

There is nothing better than making memories with someone. Here’s a list of activities you can do with your valentines and galentines:

  • Cook dinner together – bonus sustainability points if it’s plant-based
  • Go to a crafting class. I’m signed up for a planting one with my friend and I can’t wait!!
  • Walk a trail or go on a hike
  • Host a movie night
  • Sing at a karaoke bar
  • Take a fun gym class together & don’t forget your reusable water bottle
  • Go ice skating
  • Host a board game night
  • Participate in community service
  • Attend an open mic night

When you peel back the commercialization of Valentine’s Day, it’s simply a fun excuse to share memories with and express love for the people we care about. One of the most sustainable and thoughtful things you can do is to send someone a message telling them why they mean so much to you! If you are looking to do a little more, I hope this post inspires you to choose a eco-friendly gesture. Lastly, don’t forget to wrap your gifts using sustainable wrapping ;). Let me know in the comments if you have any fun activities or gifts planned for Valentine’s Day ???