Celebrating this year’s Valentine’s Day with someone you love, choosing yourself for some self-love quality time, or even celebrating Galentine’s Day with your close friends and looking for sustainable gifts that won’t break the planet? You’ve come to the right place. 

Valentine’s Day is a complicated holiday. Few of us know the history of this worldwide holiday, which only started to be celebrated as the day of romance around the 14th century. Nowadays, much is talked about the commercialised side of the holiday corrupted by consumerism. Sadly, as a society, we have become conditioned that it is the norm to buy our significant other fancy, expensive gifts that are rarely widely ethically made. In 2023, 25.9 billion U.S. dollars were predicted to be spent in the United States for Valentine’s Day. Shocking. 

If you’re looking for a gift for your significant other or friends this year, here are some tips to shop sustainably and show love to our planet and environment.

Experiences: An Intangible Gift

With so much overconsumption around this holiday, gift your valentine the experience of an intangible gift. Experiences are all about planned quality time with your loved ones. You can cook them their favourite meal, have a painting night, take a class together, travel or go to a spa. The possibilities are endless!

Digital Subscription

With so many digital services available out there, this zero-waste gift will enrich anyone’s life and can be easily gifted via email or text. The best thing is that with so many options available, such as workout classes, audiobooks, digital books and podcasts, streaming services and online courses, you can choose one of their favourite activities or hobbies and surprise them. 

Jewellery: Choose local, sustainable and responsibly made

Although beautiful, some jewellery is unfortunately made at a high cost to the people making them and our planet. That doesn’t mean, however, that you have to stay away from buying someone you love a gorgeous piece of jewellery. Many brands nowadays are committed to social and environmental causes. Support local artisans, opt for lab-grown diamonds, research before buying, and make the world shinier while positively impacting our environment. 

Links that can be helpful: 

Good on You: Accessories Brands

Responsible Jewellery Council: Find an RJC Member

Forbes: Lab Grown or Natural Diamonds?

Chocolate: Opt for fairtrade & sustainable brands

Chocolate is a must on Valentine’s Day for many people. Unfortunately, cocoa farming has a tremendous negative impact on the environment. Some problems are the massive deforestation done to plant new cocoa trees and child labour to help with the farming process. Fortunately, many brands are out there fighting against the negative impact of chocolate on our environment. Some are Tony’s Chocolonely, Theo Chocolate, Alter Eco, Belvas, Oxfam, Seed and Bean, and Vego.   

Bake a Valentine

Bake your special person’s favourite treat and sweeten their day.

Shop Local: Support small, local business

Whether you’re thinking of going out to eat or looking for a place to buy your gift, consider supporting a local small business rather than a big corporation. Search for locally made, handmade products that are created with extra love. Local jewellery shops, or shop at your farmer’s market for delicious baked goods, soaps, honey and sustainable self-care products. 

Flowers: Choose organically grown, local flowers

If you’re keen to buy flowers for your special someone, shop for organically and locally grown flowers, as cut flowers can be drenched in toxic pesticides.

Consider a Potted Plant

Why not gift them a plant that will outlast any gorgeous bouquet? Gift them a lovely potted plant that will remind them of your love throughout the year. Some of our favourites are Hellebore, Verbena, Bromeliad Aechmea, Monstera Adansonii, and Alocasia Zebrin.

Show them some love

Valentine’s Day is meant to be spent with those we love. Show your significant other, family or friends some extra love this day. For some, that might mean calling a friend you last talked to a long time ago; it could be taking the trash out without being told you or making someone dinner. 

Valentine’s Day is about spending quality time with the people we love and cherish. Show love to those around you, and remember to show some love to our planet Earth. It shows us so much love every day.