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 plastic Valentine’s Day tat, and out of season roses with a hefty carbon footprint.
It’s not my most favourite of times, so I’ve been brainstorming lots of non-consumerist and eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas. It’s 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.
I know it can feel a bit awkward at first when you stop buying into the traditional Valentine’s script. But just remember, choosing something more thoughtful, low-waste, or experience-led isn’t a lack of effort. If anything, it usually means more thought has gone into it, not less.
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!
An Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
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.
If you do want to give a physical gift, I think the key is choosing something that’s edible, or will genuinely be used and loved long after Valentine’s Day has passed. Looking for durable materials, ethical production, low-waste packaging, and brands that are transparent about how things are made can make a big difference.
Even if you don’t buy from the exact brands below, these are all good benchmarks to keep in mind:
Eco-Friendly Flowers
If you want to give the gift of beautiful blooms this Valentine’s Day, then Arena Flowers (from £24) is a good place to look – offering delivery across the UK.
Describing itself as the UK’s most ethical florist, Arena sources all of its flowers from ethical suppliers or Fairtrade-certified farms.
Arena’s beautiful bouquets 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.
This is a good option if you like the tradition of flowers but don’t love the usual plastic waste, floral foam, and mystery supply chains that often come with supermarket bouquets.
Get 15% off your first order when you sign up for the Arena Flowers mailing list.
Ethical Lingerie
This Valentine’s Day, ditch the synthetic underwear made from virgin plastic available at fast fashion retailers and opt for eco-friendly underwear instead.
Brands like Dora Larsen (available at Farfetch from £23), for example, work solely with certified recycled materials to create gorgeous lingerie collections. The result is beautiful underwear that is a joy to wear, and sustainable too.
I have bought a couple of bras from Dora Larsen, and love how comfortable and feminine they are.
For more recommendations, check out my big guide to eco-friendly underwear for her.
Sustainable Boxer Shorts
Looking to upgrade his underwear drawer sustainably this Valentine’s Day? Try JustWears (from £20.99).
This fun brand makes ergonomically designed underwear that promises to “treat your crown jewels like the 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.
This is a good option if you want a gift that feels indulgent but is still practical. Everyday items, when chosen well, often end up being the most appreciated.
For more recommendations, check out my big guide to eco-friendly underwear for him.
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. And if you are not sure about their taste in perfume, my top tip is to opt for a lighter, everyday scent. This can be a safer choice than bold evening fragrances that may not suit everyone.
Get 10% off your first order when you sign up for the Floral Street mailing list.
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 its 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.
Vegan-Friendly Chocolate
Finally, ethical chocolatier Chococo has a great range of vegan-friendly chocolate, from just £8.50. Any option here would make for a great, sustainable and eco-friendly gift idea this Valentine’s Day.
All Chococo products are handcrafted in the UK. Chococo sources the cacoa from its chocolate partners in Ecuador, Colombia and Madagascar, and use only sustainable, single origin, slave-free couverture milk, dark, white and oat milk chocolate.
The finished product comes in 100% plastic-free packaging, and its vegan range offers a delicious choice of dark chocolate or oat milk chocolate.
Get £5 off your first order over £30 when you sign up for the Chococo mailing list.
Non-Consumerist Valentine’s Day Ideas
If physical gifts aren’t your thing, or you’d rather put the emphasis on time and connection, then I’ve got lots of non-consumerist ideas that focus on shared experiences instead:
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’ve seen a few live comedy shows lately, and still find ourselves laughing at some of the jokes. Plus, supporting local venues keeps money circulating in your community.
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.
Go On A Ramble or Bike Ride
Go on a walk or bike ride somewhere 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.
Choosing somewhere slightly different from your usual route can make this feel more like a planned date rather than just another walk.
Ditch The Restaurant
Don’t want to be in a packed restaurant on Valentine’s Day? Me neither. Why not prepare your favourite meal together at home and enjoy a quiet and relaxing candlelit meal together? Bonus sustainability points if you add some vegan or vegetarian options to the menu.
It also takes the pressure off expensive set menus and strict booking times, which can make the evening feel more stressful than romantic.
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.
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. Stuck for ideas? This is my favourite bad joke. It’s so bad, it’s good!
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.
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? Why not do the same now? It could be fun picking songs from all the various points in your life together as a couple. This kind of gift costs nothing but time, yet can end up meaning far more than something bought last-minute.
Show Your Love For Others Less Fortunate
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to just be about the love between couples. It can 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?
More Sustainable Valentine’s Ideas
However you choose to mark the day, Valentine’s doesn’t need to look a certain way to be meaningful. I’ve found that thoughtful choices, and shared time can be just as romantic, if not more so.
Would you add anything to this list? Do share in the comments below. And if you are looking to try your hand at sustainable crafting, try my recycled Valentine’s Day craft ideas. There are heaps of eco-friendly ideas in there to show your love, without having to buy anything new.
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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!