6 Ideas For A Special and Sustainable Valentine’s Day
Simple yet effective ways to express your love this year
It’s become tradition to express your love by spoiling your partner on Valentine’s Day. Red roses, new lingerie and expensive gifts are exchanged on February the 14th.
Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year but, it’s also one of the most expensive and wasteful.
Love shouldn’t cost the planet. So, here are some more sustainable and affordable ways to tell someone you love them this year.
1. Write a card
One of the most simple and meaningful ways to express your love is to write a heartfelt card.
Get creative and make a card from paper and materials you already have. If you’re short for time, buy a card made from recycled paper, or better, seed paper that can eventually be planted. There’s a huge range to choose from on Etsy, and you’d be supporting small businesses too.
You could even save paper and get digital by sending an e-card. Check out Doozy card, Moonpig and Blue Mountain.
2. Cook a meal
There’s nothing quite like a romantic meal for two. You can easily host this in your house —set the scene with a carefully curated playlist and romantic lighting.
Change up your dinner routine by trying a new recipe, sharing a nice bottle of red or by cooking your partner’s favourite meal.
It doesn’t need to be particularly fancy or expensive, you could just use what you’ve got in the fridge! Make it extra special by leaving phones away from the dinner table. Enjoy your meal with no distractions.
Alternatively, if you’re not skilled in the kitchen or don’t have the time, pick something up from Too Good To Go.
3. Give a bouquet
You definitely can’t go wrong with flowers. They add some colour to a quiet room and smell lovely. However, do try to avoid buying flowers wrapped in plastic. Look for a locally grown bouquet wrapped in compostable paper.
Even better would be to buy a dried bouquet that would last for much longer than a fresh one, buy a plant or tree that you can grow in your garden, or, adopt a tree!
4. Buy chocolate
Does your partner have a sweet tooth?
Let them indulge in some vegan, organic, ethical and sustainable chocolate.
Top bars include
If you can, buy a bar locally and look out for the Fair Trade mark. Remember to discard of wrapping responsibly.
5. Share an experience
Treat your partner to an experience that you can do with, or for, them.
From a day at a spa or out hiking, to seeing a show or exhibition, these gifts might cost more than others but will be fun and memorable. They also don’t come wrapped in plastic, demand transport related emissions or sit on the side collecting dust.
6. Shop secondhand
If you are wanting to put on a new outfit, don’t be afraid to buy it secondhand. You’d be surprised by the good quality and near-new items you might find in charity shops or on secondhand fashion platforms.
For a range of fashion items, look for closet sales near you or online through Closit. If you’re looking to earn some extra cash for present-buying, sell your unwanted clothes through Closit. See here for selling tips.
Otherwise, head to your local charity shop for clothes, books, films, cards, household objects and more.
Let there be love… ❤
There are many sustainable, ethical and personal ways to show your love this Valentine’s Day. You can also use these ideas at any point during the year.
Expressions of love shouldn’t be limited to, or expected on, February the 14th.
Don’t feel pressured to go all out and spend money. At the end of the day, it’s the thought that counts.
