Valentine’s Day is a great day to show how much you love someone but it also comes with a lot of waste. These sustainable Valentine’s Day gift ideas can help avoid some of that waste.
I love Valentine’s Day, I always have. I having a day where we all make an effort to show others love. It can be very wasteful though and there are far-reaching impacts of many of the things we buy.
Few of us still make homemade gifts and homemade Valentine’s. Instead, we buy flowers which are likely from Ecuador or Columbia, chocolate from the Ivory Coast, and cheap stuffed animals from China.
Those flowers from Ecuador and Columbia are often picked by women and child that are forced to work and abused. That doesn’t leave you feeling very warm and fuzzy.
And that chocolate we all love to get may also be supporting unethical working conditions. 70% of the world’s chocolate comes from the Ivory Coast where most of the chocolate is farmed using child labor and slave labor.
And those cheap stuffed animals may also be being made by forced labor.China’s record on worker rights is very poor, as is their environmental record.
Thankfully we have better options out there. You can still give your loved ones Valentine’s Day gifts without slave labor and that is better for the environment.
Sustainable Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
We can embrace the spirit of love and sustainability this Valentine’s Day by choosing gifts that not only express affection but also contribute to a healthier planet.
Fair Trade Chocolate
Choose chocolates that are certified fair trade and ethically sourced, ensuring the cocoa is produced in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner.
You can now find Fair Trade chocolate in most grocery stores. You can also order it online. One really good brand that is going above and beyond when it comes to ethical chocolate practices is Tony’s Chocolonely. They are committed to showing that delicious chocolate can be enjoyed without exploiting workers or the environment.
You can find Tony’s Chocolonely in many stores or buy from one of my favorite online grocery stores, Thrive Market. They are working to create a more sustainable and ethical shopping experience as well so you can feel good ordering from them.
Reusable Water Bottle
Most of us have enough reusable water bottles but if someone on your list needs a new one Grosche is a great place to check for a new one.
Also consider checking the thrift store. They are overrun with water bottles and you can likely find one that is new or like new.
Safer Personal Care Products
Bath bombs and other bath products are great for creating self-care gift baskets but you want to look for products that use natural ingredients and are cruelty-free. A couple of small businesses I love for bath products are Preserving My Sanity, Optimistic Soap, and Baker’s Bars Soapery.
You can also make your own homemade lavender bath bombs, lavender bath salts, or beard oils using recipes here on the site.
Upcycled or Vintage Jewelry
Consider jewelry made from upcycled or recycled materials, reducing the demand for new resources and minimizing environmental impact. You can even buy beautiful vintage jewelry from EraGem for really special pieces without the environmental impact of new jewelry.
Some antique stores also carry vintage jewelry. My husband has purchased me some beautiful sets of pearls from an antique store I love.
Indoor Plants
Choose a potted plant or succulent as a symbol of growth and love. Indoor plants improve air quality and add a touch of nature to any space. Just be sure the person you are gifting the plant to enjoys plants and if they have pets be sure it’s safe for them.
Experience Gift
Give the gift of experiences, such as a cooking class, spa day, or tickets to a concert or show. Experiences create lasting memories without contributing to material consumption.
You can even give online experience gifts that are perfect for an introvert or someone that is high risk and avoiding crowds during this time. Some really good options are King Arthur Baking classes, craft classes from Craftsy, or check out Eventbrite for online events.
Fair Trade Flowers
Ask your local florist if they have any local flowers or Fair Trade Certified options. You can also find a local nursery and buy a plant instead of cut flowers. Check out 4 Places to Find Fair Trade Flowers for more information.
Ethical Stuffed Animals
You can even find organic and more ethically made stuffed animals. A cool company is Bears for Humanity. They sell organic stuffed animals that are made ethically and have a neat mission. You can also find handmade stuffed animals on Etsy.
If you want to do something really special you can get a kit and crochet your own animal. Woobles makes adorable kits that are beginner-friendly.
And don’t forget, one of the best gifts we can give someone is the gift of our time. Spending time together is sustainable and is the best way to create new memories. Planning a Valentine’s Day date is a special gift you can give both you and your partner and you can find some great Valentine’s Day date ideas to help you get started.
Green Girl in Wisconsin says
Absolutely nothing–because Mr. D and I don't "do" Hallmark Holidays. Probably the greenest choice we can make!
Laura says
Dinner with the kiddos! And probably a Netflix movie. But no chocolate. Sigh… even it was fair trade, I’m on a diet. 🙂
Deanna Piercy says
We’ve been married almost 45 years so we don’t really feel the need to make a huge deal out of Valentine’s Day. A nice meal together (at home) and watching a movie together is sufficient for us. Although I do like the idea of experience gifts.