Valentine’s Day is a holiday that celebrates love, romance, and partnership. However, in the age of mass production and consumerism, Valentine’s Day has become a commercial industry harmful to the environment, worth billions and billions of euros. The truth is, you can gift your loved ones any other day of the year, and you’re free to do so every day with small gestures of affection. If you enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day, do so in a way that makes sense – with gifts that last and don’t pollute the planet.
In addition to the millions of roses, balloons, teddy bears, cards, and boxes of chocolates creating large amounts of paper and plastic waste, nothing kills romance like the repetition of the same gifts.
If you’re tired of clichés and creating unnecessary waste that harms the environment, we have the perfect list of gifts for you.
1. Flowers in a different way
Instead of short-lived flowers, you can gift something more lasting and healthier. It has been proven that live plants purify and detoxify the air in rooms. Moreover, plants can improve your mood, boost concentration and memory, and reduce stress. For beginners, when choosing your first plant, research which ones are the easiest to maintain (e.g., the happy plant or snake plant). And don’t forget, a plant needs roots to live, just like your love.
And if you still want flowers because your significant other isn’t familiar with plants, you can make roses from an egg carton. All you need to do is cut the egg cups, stack them on top of each other, and punch a hole in the center for a popsicle stick or something similar. Finally, you can paint them to create a colorful bouquet.
If you’re not skilled in making artwork, and your loved one isn’t great at keeping plants alive either, choose a dried flower bouquet as a gift! Find out which flowers you can dry and how and gift a bouquet of real and everlasting flowers.
2. Natural soap
Shampoos, lotions, and perfumes on drugstore shelves often contain artificial fragrances, oils, preservatives, and various petroleum derivatives that are harmful to the skin and the environment. Natural soaps should not be an alternative, but rather part of your daily routine.
We recommend Silvan natural soap, whose ingredients, design, and packaging composition are focused on promoting sustainability and a zero-waste lifestyle. The packaging of Silvan soap is made from biodegradable paper, which you can even plant entirely.
Of course, you can always make your own natural soaps and shape and decorate them with your love’s favorite colors and details.
3. Natural teas
Is your loved one a tea enthusiast? Then Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to choose from over 3,000 types of tea available today. However, try to select loose-leaf tea, as a 2024 study found that brewing tea with a bag made from plastic polypropylene releases around 1.2 billion tiny plastic particles per milliliter of tea! If your partner has never tried loose-leaf tea, this is also a great chance to gift them a cute tea infuser.
And if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort, explore which herbs you can harvest and dry yourself for a truly personal gift.
4. Eco-friendly reusable bottles
Every minute, a million plastic water bottles are sold, and soon there will be more of them in the sea than fish.
Therefore, reusable bottles are an eco-friendly and healthy alternative, and in addition to being more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, they help keep you hydrated throughout the day.
Our recommendation goes to 24Bottles products, which protect your health, preserve the environment, and are an excellent choice for those who want to live sustainably.
5. Clothing made from sustainable materials
You spotted a scarf in your partner’s favorite color in a store window, but did you know that this scarf could leave a mark – not just in the wardrobe, but also in the ocean?
Some fabrics we wear cause serious harm to animals and our planet. Recent research shows that polyester releases thousands of tiny plastic microfibers during washing, which end up in the sea, where animals can ingest them. This means that if you eat seafood, you’re consuming tiny pieces of plastic that came from our clothing. To achieve a “more sustainable wardrobe,” shop for more eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, linen, or hemp.
6. Reusable Cosmetics
Cosmetics can also be more eco-friendly. Choose products that are cruelty-free, packaged in reusable containers, and produced locally. For your loved ones who enjoy cosmetics and self-care, opt for products that come in glass or other reusable packaging.
Avoid all single-use products. Did you know that single-use plastic razors actually cost us a lot because of their disposability? A good financial investment is a stainless-steel razor that will last literally forever, and on top of that, it looks great in your bathroom.
Whenever possible, always use and encourage reusable solutions. For example, at stores like dm, you can refill reusable shampoo and detergent bottles. Some pharmacies also offer refill services for certain products.
By shopping consciously, choose manufacturers who implement sustainable practices in their businesses. You can, for example, gift cosmetics that are microplastic-free certified and made with natural ingredients. Pay attention to the ecological labels on products.
Don’t forget that transportation routes play a big role in the sustainability of products, so always choose products that are part of short supply chains. Keep in mind that locally produced items are generally made with local raw materials and produced in line with the traditional values of the area.
Tips for a romantic and eco-friendly Valentine’s Day
And finally, skip the gift wrap. Most gift-wrapping paper can’t be recycled and often contains harmful plastic layers. Try alternatives such as fabric bags, jars, baskets, or reuse the wrapping paper and bags you received gifts in. If the weather is nice over the weekend, you can go on a picnic with your loved ones in nature, completely free of charge. Don’t forget to bring something to eat and drink, a blanket, and make sure to avoid creating and leaving behind any waste. And most importantly, love each other lots and lots!