10 Sustainable Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is all about recognising love and expressing your affection to those you hold dear. What better way to celebrate than by giving gifts that are ethical, ecological, and planet-friendly? By using these eco-friendly Valentine’s Day shopping advice, you may say “I love you” to your special someone.
Valentine’s Day has turned into a terrible consumerism-focused event that teaches us to view our relationships as commodities and measure how much we’re loved by how much someone spends on us. Not to mention that it generates a significant amount of trash due to careless packaging and cards that might not even make it to the recycle bin.

We are providing this list of approaches to share the love with everyone you like without despising the environment as a means of balancing these two urges.

Buy Fair Trade Chocolate

Giving fair trade chocolate this Valentine’s Day is a thoughtful and delicious way to show your love while also supporting sustainable and ethical practices, and also being environmentally friendly. Fair trade chocolate is made with cocoa beans that are grown and harvested by farmers who are paid fair prices for their crops, and who also receive benefits such as access to education and healthcare.

Look for Organic, Local Flowers

Choosing organic and locally-sourced flowers is a great way to make your Valentine’s Day gift more sustainable. Organic flowers are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which can have negative impacts on the environment and the health of farm workers. Locally-sourced flowers are grown closer to where they are sold, reducing the environmental impact of transportation and supporting local farmers. You can purchase organic and locally-sourced flowers from a local florist or farmer’s market, or you could also consider using a flower delivery service that specializes in organic and sustainably-sourced flowers.

Select Ethical Jewelry

Buying jewelry responsibly and sustainably is a great way to make sure that your Valentine’s Day gift is not only beautiful, but also ethically and environmentally friendly. When shopping for jewelry, it’s important to look for products that are made from responsibly-sourced materials, such as recycled gold or conflict-free diamonds.

Another option is to consider purchasing vintage or second-hand jewelry. This not only reduces the environmental impact of mining new materials but also allows you to give a unique and one of a kind gift.

Ultimately, it’s important to do your research and choose a jeweler or brand that aligns with your values. And don’t forget to check the warranty and care instructions, to make sure your gift will last long.

Consider a Potted Plant

Giving a potted plant as a Valentine’s Day gift can be a great way to show someone you care while also being sustainable and earth-friendly. Potted plants not only bring life and beauty to any space, but also help to purify the air and improve the overall well-being of the recipient.

You can choose from a wide variety of plants, such as succulents, herbs, or flowers. These plants can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on the recipient’s preferences and the plant’s needs. You can also choose a plant that will be easy to care for, so that the recipient will be able to enjoy it for a long time.

Additionally, potted plants can be repotted and cared for, allowing them to grow for many years, and some of them will even flower in their next seasons, making them a great long-lasting gift.

Another way to make your gift more special is to personalize the pot or container, or to include a small book or guide on how to take care of the plant.

Use what you already have

Another way to make your Valentine’s Day gift more sustainable is to use what you already have, rather than buying something new. This approach can be both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, as it reduces the need to extract new resources and produce new products.

One way to use what you already have is to create a homemade gift. For example, you could make a photo album or scrapbook filled with memories of your time together, or write a heartfelt letter expressing your feelings. You could also make a piece of artwork, cook a special meal, or plan a surprise outing to a place that holds special meaning for both of you.

Another approach is to give a “experience” gift. Rather than buying something material, you could plan a special outing or activity, such as a weekend getaway, a day trip, or a concert or show tickets. This type of gift not only creates lasting memories but also reduces the environmental impact of producing and shipping a physical product.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to show that you care and put thought into your gift, regardless of whether it’s something new or something you already have.

Use recyclable wrapping paper or ditch it altogether

Wrapping a gift in recyclable or biodegradable materials is a simple way to make your Valentine’s Day gift more sustainable. Recyclable wrapping paper can be made from materials like paper, fabric, or even old newspapers or magazines, which can be easily recycled after being used. Biodegradable wrapping materials such as bamboo, leaves, or even edible materials like fruits or vegetables can also be used.

Another option is to ditch the wrapping paper altogether and use a reusable container or gift bag. This not only reduces waste, but also gives the recipient a useful and long-lasting item that can be used again and again.

If you choose not to wrap the gift, you could also add a special touch with a ribbon or a bow made of natural fibers or recycled materials.

Overall, the key is to be mindful of the materials you use when wrapping your gift, and to choose options that are environmentally friendly and easy to recycle or repurpose.

Romantic = Farm to plate meal right at home

Cooking a farm-to-plate meal at home can be a romantic and sustainable way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. This type of meal is made with locally-sourced, fresh ingredients that are often organic and free from pesticides. This not only supports local farmers and reduces the environmental impact of transportation, but also helps to ensure that the food you serve is healthy and delicious.

You can plan a menu that features in-season produce, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, or consider choosing a theme such as a “locavore” meal where you only use ingredients from a certain local area. This can be a fun and creative way to celebrate the holiday.

Cooking a meal together is also a great way to bond and spend quality time together. You can take turns preparing different dishes, and enjoy the process of cooking together.

You could also add a touch of romance by setting the table with candles, flowers and special tableware. Add a nice bottle of wine or a signature cocktail, and you have a perfect evening for a romantic dinner.

Support a local bakery

Supporting a local bakery is a great way to make your Valentine’s Day celebration more sustainable and delicious. Local bakeries often use high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients, which not only supports local farmers, but also helps to ensure that the baked goods you purchase are fresh, healthy and delicious.

You could choose to buy a special Valentine’s Day themed treats such as a heart-shaped cake, or some special pastries. This not only supports a local business, but also allows you to give a unique and thoughtful gift that celebrates the holiday.

Another option is to order a homemade meal from a local bakery, and have a romantic dinner at home. Many bakeries now offer meal kits or prepared meals, which can be a convenient and delicious way to celebrate Valentine’s Day while still supporting a local business.

You could also consider visiting the local bakery, order a special treat and have a romantic pic-nic in a nearby park or beach. This not only supports the local bakery but also gives you a chance to spend some quality time together in a beautiful setting.

Wrap the gift with just love

Wrapping a gift in a way that expresses love and thoughtfulness, rather than using traditional wrapping paper, can be a creative and sustainable way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Instead of using paper, you could use a piece of clothing, such as a scarf or a piece of fabric that has sentimental value, to wrap the gift. This not only adds a personal touch, but also gives the recipient a useful and long-lasting item that can be used again and again.

You could also wrap the gift in a piece of jewelry or an accessory that the recipient can wear or use. This not only adds a personal touch, but also gives the recipient a useful and long-lasting item that can be used again and again.

Another option is to simply give the gift without any wrapping at all. This not only reduces waste, but also allows the recipient to enjoy the gift immediately. This approach can be especially fitting if the gift is an experience, such as a concert or a trip, or if the gift is something that can be enjoyed together, such as a special outing or a meal.

Ultimately, the key is to be creative and thoughtful when giving a gift, and to focus on expressing love and appreciation, rather than just the wrapping.

Shop locally

Shopping locally is a great way to make your Valentine’s Day celebration more sustainable and supportive of the community. When you shop at locally-owned businesses, you are supporting the local economy and keeping money within the community. This can help to create jobs, boost small businesses, and preserve the unique character of the area.

When shopping locally, you may also find more unique and one-of-a-kind gifts that are not available at big chain stores. This can add a personal touch to your gift and make it more special.

One can also find eco-friendly and sustainable products, as local businesses are more likely to have a personal connection to their products, and may have a better understanding of the environmental impact of their products.

Additionally, by shopping locally, you can reduce the environmental impact of transportation, as the products don’t have to be shipped from far away.

Overall, shopping locally is a great way to make your Valentine’s Day celebration more sustainable and supportive of the community.

About FlatMate.in

FlatMate.in is the first app that helps you to search shared rooms/apartments based on common liking & interests and not just based on usual factors like location and price range. In other words, we focus on the relationship between potential roommates. A study shows if you share an apartment with a compatible roommate then chances are higher that you would stay longer with each other and will become friends for life.

Read our other blog on Top 6 packers and movers in Mumbai