Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas They’ll Love
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Looking for some Valentine’s Day inspiration? I’ve got heaps of sustainable and eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gift ideas, from physical gifts to non-material ideas.
Walk into any shop right now and you’ll likely be bombarded with a load of Valentine’s Day tat. It’s not my most favourite of times, so I’ve been brainstorming lots of non-consumerist and eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas, for those of you, like me, who seek an alternative to the plastic-filled version of Valentine’s Day that shops try to sell us.
Valentine’s Day hasn’t always been the tat-filled day that it is now. One of the earliest recorded ‘celebrations’ of Valentine’s Day, in the Pre-Christian Era, was where young men would strip naked and use goat- or dog-skin whips to spank the backsides of young women in order to improve their fertility! You may (or may not) be pleased to hear that none of my eco-friendly suggestions go quite that far!
Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Ideas To Love
First up, I’ve got lots of physical sustainable gift ideas for the one you love – from sustainable lingerie and men’s undies to wine that tastes good and does good, and a whole lot more:
1. Eco-Friendly Flowers
If you want to give the gift of beautiful blooms this Valentine’s Day, then Arena Flowers (from £22) is a good place to look.
Describing itself as the UK’s most ethical florist, Arena sources all of its flowers from ethical suppliers or Fairtrade-certified farms.
Its beautiful blooms arrive at your door in recycled, recyclable or compostable packaging. This means everything can be reused, recycled, or popped in your compost bin when you’re done with it.
2. Sustainable Wine
If you’re looking to gift a bottle of eco-friendly Prosecco this Valentine’s Day, try Sea Change Wine (from £12.49 at Social Supermarket).
This pioneering brand combines a love of great wine with environmental action.
Its delicious fizz is made partially from grape waste and is completely plastic-free – there’s not even any plastic in the cork.
Combined with a donation to conservation charities that help protect marine animals from every bottle sold, Sea Change is making a real difference in the wine industry.
If Prosecco isn’t to your taste, don’t worry. Sea Change also has a range of delicious reds, whites, and roses to enjoy.
Get more eco-friendly wine recommendations right this way.
3. Ethical Lingerie
This Valentine’s Day ditch the synthetic (in other words, plastic) underwear available at fast fashion retailers, and opt for eco-friendly underwear instead.
Brands like Brighton Lace (available on Etsy from £25), for example, work solely with eco-friendly and rescued fabrics, in small batches, to create gorgeous limited-edition lingerie collections.
This is all handmade in Brighton, by a small all-woman team.
The result is beautiful underwear that is a joy to wear and sustainable too.
For more recommendations check out my big guide to eco-friendly underwear for her.
4. Sustainable Boxer Shorts
Looking to upgrade his underwear drawer sustainably this Valentine’s Day? Try JustWears.
This fun brand makes ergonomically designed underwear that promises to “treat your crown jewels like royalty they are”.
As well as being specially designed for the most comfortable fit possible, its undies are made from ‘MicroModal Air’. This is an eco-friendly fabric that’s made from sustainably grown European wood. It’s more durable than cotton, feels softer than silk, plus is carbon neutral.
For more recommendations, check out my big guide to eco-friendly underwear for him.
5. Vegan Perfume
If you’re looking for beautiful-smelling sustainable and vegan-friendly perfume then try Floral Street Perfume (from £29).
This earth-conscious brand uses sustainably sourced ingredients, to create enticing perfumes that are vegan and cruelty-free.
Overwhelmed by choice? You can shop by mood or scent to find the perfect fragrance for your loved one.
Get 10% off your first order when you sign up for the Floral Street mailing list.
6. Sustainable Aftershave
Eco-friendly aftershave is a little trickier to find, but thankfully Laboratory Perfumes (available at Cult Beauty for £80) are on the case with its sophisticated yet sustainable scents.
This ethical brand works with a small, transparent supply chain located entirely in the UK, and prioritises minimal, recyclable packaging.
All our scents are made in the UK in small batches using ingredients which are, socially-conscious, environmentally-friendly, paraben-free and cruelty-free.
Get 15% off almost everything at Cult Beauty when you spend £25 or over by using the code CBAFF15 at the checkout.
7. Vegan-Friendly Chocolate
Holdsworth Vegan Chocolate (£10.50 from John Lewis) would make for a great sustainable gift idea.
These plant-based decadent dark and oat milk chocolates are blended with fruit purees & natural flavours, for a truly delicious taste sensation. These are made following the best practices in sustainability.
What’s more, 10p from every box purchased is donated to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to help the bees.
Non-Consumerist Valentine’s Day Ideas
If you’d rather show your love in non-consumerist ways, then I’ve got lots of ideas for you:
1. Embrace Local Arts
Go and see a local live comedy show, band, or theatre show. In times of cuts to local arts funding, it’s good to support the arts, and you might see something you otherwise might not have known about. We saw Rob Delaney at The Stand in Edinburgh last year and we’re still laughing at some of his sketches now.
2. Brush Up on Your History
Speaking of the arts, alternatively, you could visit a museum or gallery together. There are a wealth of free museums and galleries in the UK, all with some spectacular collections. In Edinburgh, my favourite is the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, and in Glasgow, I have a soft spot for the Kelvingrove Museum.
3. Go On A Ramble or Bike Ride
Go on a walk or bike ride someplace new together. Ramble along an unfamiliar beach, path, or neighbourhood. Bonus points if you stop in a local cafe for a warming cup of tea. Or super bonus points if you take a flask of hot chocolate and some cake with you! February can still be a cold one, and it’s nice to share a sweet treat together.
4. Ditch The Restaurant
Don’t want to be in a packed and overpriced restaurant surrounded by couples proposing? Me neither. Why not prepare your favourite meal together at home and enjoy a quiet and relaxing candlelit meal together?
5. Bake A Cake
We all know the way to a man or woman’s heart is through baked goods, right? Here’s an amazing chocolate cake recipe, and a vegan chocolate cake recipe, depending on your lover’s preferences.
6. Make Each Other Laugh
The ability to make each other laugh is apparently vital when it comes to romantic attraction. However, a few years or decades down the line, when you’re knee-deep in household chores, paying bills, and looking after the kids, it’s easy to forget what you once found funny about each other.
This Valentine’s Day, why not try and make each other laugh? Have a joke-telling competition. See who can tell the best (or worst!) joke.
7. Watch A Film
Get cosy in front of a movie, either at home or at your local cinema. I’d personally skip the romantic ones. Nobody needs Hollywood’s version of romance looming over you on Valentine’s Day when your own version of romance is probably just perfect.
8. Make A Playlist
Depending on your age, the chances are that at some point in your life, you made a compilation tape for a significant other (or the person you hoped might be your significant other). Wasn’t it fun carefully selecting the songs to make the other person think you were cool and knew all the right bands? Why not do the same now? It could be fun picking songs from all the various points in your life together as a couple.
9. Show Your Love For Others Less Fortunate
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to just be about the love between couples. It can, and should be about showing your love for others, especially those less fortunate. You and your partner could consider volunteering together at a local soup kitchen or food bank. If you don’t have the time, why not take what you might have spent on a meal or a gift and donate to a charity of your choosing?
Would you add anything to this list? Do share in the comments below.
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I like the idea of making time for your loved one, but my husband and I never actually remember that Valentines is on. But we do make child-free time for dates regularly, so I think we’re doing ok :)
When it comes to birthdays and Christmas, we hardly do gifts at all. Usually it’s a hamper of goodies to eat, a good book to read or a holiday (for special birthdays!)
Ah Wendy I love your sense of humour! My husband and I have never done Valentines Day precisely because of the nauseating commercialisation. And of course every day is Valentines Day right? (*snort*). These are great suggestions though and good for when we celebrate our anniversary which is usually when we attempt romance!