15 Sustainable Gift Ideas For Your Favorite Valentine
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Valentine’s Day has been celebrated for many centuries, and has become a popular holiday due to its focus on love, affection, and togetherness. It is a day to celebrate relationships that are both romantic and platonic, and to express love and appreciation for everyone in our lives.
Unfortunately, Valentine’s Day is also one of the most wasteful holidays. Because Valentine’s Day is associated with over-the-top displays of affection, it can lead to a lot of waste—both in terms of money and resources due to purchasing disposable products such cards, flowers or balloons.
With that said, you don’t have to give in to the wasteful theatrics of this otherwise wonderful holiday. Choosing alternatives to traditional [disposable] Valentine’s Day gifts will help combat landfill pollution and make this holiday a lot more memorable.
Before I share environmentally friendly gift options, check out these 7 Valentine’s Day tips for a more sustainable Valentine’s Day.
7 Tips For An Eco-Friendly Valentines Day
- We recommend skipping greeting cards altogether, but if you’re set on sending a Valentine’s Day card, opt for a card made of recycled, compostable or plantable paper. There are a lot of unique greeting cards made of fabric, wood and seed paper that are way more interesting than traditional cards.
- Store bought flowers generate a ton of carbon emissions due to water usage and long-haul transport since many are imported from South American countries and then delivered all across the United States. Instead, opt for locally grown flowers or go foraging to create a beautiful wild bouquet. Living plants make awesome sustainable gifts as well.
- If you’re on a tight budget, a homemade gift is sustainable, thoughtful and wallet-friendly. Think homemade meal, dessert, handmade card or jewelry.
- Give the gift of experience instead of things. For example, you can treat your Valentine to a special experience like a hike, a picnic, restaurant or a concert.
- If your Valentine loves chocolate, choose fair-trade brands that use recyclable or compostable wrapping.
- When wrapping gifts, you should reuse old gift bags or wrapping paper and opt for twine instead of ribbon.
- Skip single use items like balloons, which are in the same category as single-use plastic water bottles. Even latex balloons take years to biodegrade.
So whether you’re shopping for your significant other, best friend, sibling or parent, our hand-picked eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gift ideas are sure to inspire your search for a gift that will leave a lasting impression.
Each gift below is handmade by an Etsy shop. We love Etsy gifts because they’re handmade, organic, ethically sourced and can be personalized, which makes Valentine’s Day that much more special.
With that said, personalized gifts should be ordered weeks in advance because they take more time to put together—especially around busy holiday seasons.
Plastic Free Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For The Eco Conscious Sweetheart
Personalized Hand-Poured Soy Candle By SecretCreation On Etsy
If you’re looking for a romantic and thoughtful gift this Valentine’s Day, then this personalized soy candle is the perfect way to show your Valentine how much you care. Personalized with your anniversary date and coupled with a romantic candle lit movie night or dinner, this elegant candle is sure to mark an occasion that can be cherished long after its sweet aromas die down. Not a fan of Etsy? Shop the idea on Amazon instead.
Personalized Wooden Recipe Book Binder By Enjoy The Wood On Etsy
If your Valentine is a cooking enthusiast, or has a large batch of handwritten family recipes, this personalized wooden recipe book is the perfect sustainable gift idea for Valentine’s Day. Made from birch wood, this recipe binder will keep traditions and handwritten recipes alive for generations to come. Not a fan of Etsy? Shop the idea on Amazon instead.
Personalized Engraved Wooden Love Letter By NoOrdinaryGiftLTD On Etsy
A wooden love letter is a sustainable and romantic way to express your love—and it’s more unique than a greeting card. Your personalized message will be printed on premium white paper and attached to your personalized wooden envelope. The wooden envelope then folds together with an interlocking puzzle-like heart.
Vegan Spa Gift Set By Raw Blossom On Etsy
This Valentine’s Day spa gift set comes with luxurious self care products that will make your Valentine feel loved and appreciated. The entire kit arrives in eco-friendly packaging, and you can choose from several dreamy scents that will whisk your Valentine away to a whimsical wonderland of relaxation And rejuvenation.
Fair Trade Organic Dark Chocolate Truffle Box By Farmhouse Chocolates On Etsy
Fair trade chocolate is a great Valentine’s Day gift because it supports fair trade practices that promote human rights, environmental protection, and economic development. This makes fair trade chocolate a great way to show your love and appreciation for someone special, while also doing something to make the planet a better place. You can also find varieties of fair trade chocolate on Amazon.
Zero Waste Valentine’s Day Shave Kit For Women By Plantish Future On Etsy
We are loving this zero waste shaving kit which is scented with a sweet rosy aroma. This sustainable Self-Love set features all of the essential tools your Valentine needs for shaving, deodorizing, shampooing and conditioning. It guarantees a low impact, eco-friendly, and sustainable skincare routine, plus great aesthetics!
Personalized Cereal Spoon By ImpressionsStamped On Etsy
If your Valentine loves cereal, then a personalized spoon makes a thoughtful and meaningful gift that can be treasured for years to come. It can be given as a token of love, appreciation, or friendship. This spoon is engraved with a special message, as well as initials, and is sure to be a hit on Valentine’s Day.
Hand Crafted Soy Wax Melts By 2n2Ranch On Etsy
If your Valentine prefers wax melts over candles, then they will love these handcrafted soy wax melts that come with a charming wooden scooper. Wax melts can help to fill the air with a soothing aroma, and create a calming atmosphere. Your Valentine will love the fragrance, and they’ll enjoy the soothing ambience that these wax melts promote.
Luxury Organic Cotton Waffle Robe By NaixHome On Etsy
Everyone needs at least one luxury robe, and we love this ultra soft and sustainably sourced waffle robe made from 100% organic Turkish cotton. Your Valentine will love wearing this robe for a cozy night in along with some take out, Netflix and a little wine.
Recycled Paper Origami Rose Necklace By KellyHandCrafts On Etsy
Sustainable jewelry makes a unique and sentimental Valentine’s Day gift. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it also provides a unique way to express your love and appreciation for your special someone. With that said, we recommend this beautiful handmade origami rose necklace made from recycled paper.
Personalized Wooden Portrait By Austero On Etsy
Freeze a special moment in time with a laser engraved photo on natural wood. Not only is this a sustainable gift, it’s also super romantic, and shows that you put a lot of thought into your gift planning for Valentine’s Day. Wooden portraits are also a very meaningful and timeless gift that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Pottery Date Night Box For Two By The CraftSocietyUK On Etsy
Add some fun to your Valentine’s Day date night with a Pottery Date Night Box for two. A home pottery kit is very thoughtful and romantic gift idea that’s also very low waste, and provides hours of fun and bonding time between you and your Valentine.
3D Best Friends Mug By Coffee Cupid On Etsy
This Valentine’s Day, show your best friend how much you love her with this whimsical 3D mug that will really impress. This mug is beautifully made and perfect for the tea or coffee lover in your life. It’s also an adorable way to show appreciation for your most adored friendship.
Solid Cologne For Men By SolidScentCo On Etsy
Solid colognes are a unique and eco-friendly alternative to traditional Cologne bottles. They’re also much easier to travel with, and don’t contain any toxic ingredients—which makes them perfect for men with sensitive skin. This solid cologne for men is made from sustainable butters such as cocoa, Shea and almond—and your Valentine will love the sleek container design.
Made To Order Jewelry Box By HFMA Finds On Etsy
If your Valentine has a ton of jewelry, then a vintage jewelry box made from sturdy natural wood is a sustainable gift that will last years (it can even be handed down). This beautiful jewelry box has generous storage space, yet is compact when closed.
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