How To Have A More Sustainable Valentine’s Day

Whether you’ve been holding out to shower your significant other with flowers and gifts all year, or you’re more of a ‘just a nice dinner and a card’ kind of person, there’s one thing we can all agree on - there’s nothing better than a gesture of love from your special someone on Valentine’s Day. 

Sadly, Valentine’s Day is also one of those days that’s less-than-great for the environment. Heaps of paper cards, wrapping paper and chocolate boxes are discarded and end up in landfill, which is the opposite of showing love for our planet.

But how can we avoid that, you may ask. Do we have to just stop buying presents and cards?

Well, we’re glad you asked! Because we’ve rounded up the best sustainable Valentine’s day gift ideas and other helpful tips to improve your Valentine’s Day sustainability level.

Send Digital Valentine’s Day Cards

We don’t mean to toot our own horn, but we reckon digital Valentine’s Day cards are the bees knees when it comes to sustainable Valentine’s Day choices.

Firstly, you’ll be reducing your paper wastage and keeping more trees standing. You’ll also get to choose from some of the cutest designs we’ve even seen, avoid the chaos at the shops as the big day approaches, and help a charity of your choosing with every card you send. And to top it all off, you can select and schedule your digital card delivery as far in advance as you’d like, so you’ll never be stuck frantically rushing to get a card at the last minute.

Make a DIY Gift

There’s nothing more meaningful than a gift you put your time and effort into. Ditch the plastic wrapped mass-produced present and get crafty with a homemade candle or some homemade chocolate truffles. We promise, your valentine will be totally impressed!

Buy Fair Trade Chocolate

Not confident in the kitchen or simply don’t have the time? There are plenty of companies that offer ethically-sourced, fair trade chocolate that’s super yummy too. Plus, they’re usually packaged in recyclable or compostable packaging that’s a bit kinder to the planet. 

Ethically sourced or plastic-free flowers alternative

Just like with chocolates, you don’t have to say goodbye to beautiful bouquets of flowers. Instead, scope out a florist that stocks ethically-sourced flowers. You can also opt out of the plastic wrapping by bringing something reusable to carry the flowers home in, or request compostable paper wrapping if available. 

Looking to gift something a little different and longer-lasting? Try a succulent or living plant that your loved one can nurture, and they’ll constantly be reminded of your love while also creating less waste.

Opt For a Long-lasting Gift

In the spirit of reducing single-use items, consider gifting an item that will stand the test of time. For example, instead of a paper book that will likely be read once and eventually thrown away, gift your Valentine an e-reader that will last them for years to come.

Some other long-lasting gift ideas include a piece of art, a mug or teapot for their morning brew, or a much needed item for their favourite hobby like a new guitar case or a pair of ski gloves. 

Send a Digital Gift

If you’re strapped for time, stuck for ideas or just simply want to keep things simple, sending a digital gift is the perfect solution.

A digital gift can fall under three categories: a voucher, an experience, or a subscription.

If your significant other has a particular shop they love, a voucher is a great idea that shows you’ve put some thought in, but also allows them to choose exactly what they want. This way, you can ensure they’ll absolutely love their gift and reduce gift wastage.

Is your partner more into experiences than material goods? Why not gift them an experience you can share together? There are plenty of experiences you can buy tickets for in advance such as a concert or theatre show, a weekend away at a sustainable tiny house, or a cooking class. Or, if you’re not quite sure which one to choose, a digital gift card for an online experience retailer might be the perfect gift.

Does your special someone have an activity they enjoy that could be enhanced with a subscription? Maybe they’re getting into yoga but haven’t fully taken the plunge yet - an annual yoga membership could be the perfect present. Are they always complaining about the Spotify ads on their daily commute? Spotify premium may be the answer. Or maybe they’re a movie buff and a new streaming service has been on their radar. Whatever it is, we all love a gift we couldn’t *quite* justify buying for ourselves.

Spend Time *Giving Back* With Your Significant Other

Looking to really do something good for our planet and our world? Why not spend Valentine’s Day giving back to your local community? Spending some quality time with your partner volunteering at an animal shelter, doing a beach clean up or helping out at a soup kitchen is a great way to give back, allows you to see another side of each other, and is just all-round good for the soul.

However you choose to spend your Valentine’s Day this year, there are plenty of sustainable Valentine’s day gifts to choose from that will help to reduce your global footprint. Expressing your love and helping the planet at the same time? Sounds good to us!