Eco-Friendly Valentine's Day
Showing someone you love them shouldn’t cost the earth! If you want to give traditional cards and gifts, how about considering some of these more sustainable ideas?
1. Valentine’s Card
Probably the easiest tip is to make sure the card you buy does not come packaged in plastic film. Shop around if you need to but think about the packaging as well as the sentiment when choosing your card. I have the perfect option to show love both to your special person and our precious planet with my new 'Love Me, Love Our Planet' card. Shipped in sustainable, eco-friendly paper packaging which is rip-proof and splash-proof and designed with the environment in mind.
Alternatively, of course, you could make your own card. This is a great option for ensuring the card is more personal and especially good for the environment if you use materials you already have at home.
2.
Chocolate
A classic Valentine’s gift. How about looking out for Fairtrade chocolate and again be mindful of packaging. One option is bars of ethical chocolate wrapped in paper and foil. I really like
Tony's Chocolonely. If you're looking for boxes of chocolate or Valentine themed gifts, I'd recommend
Chococo. All their packaging is plastic-free, they have a great plant-based range and if you have a shop near to you, empty selection boxes can be brought back for refilling (you also get a 10% discount).
3.Flowers
Another classic gift. You don’t need me to tell you that, here in the UK, there aren’t many flowers growing at this time of year! The majority of shop-bought flowers have been imported. Daffodils are in season. Maybe not the most classically romantic, but still beautiful. Try and find some not wrapped in film it’s worth having a look around as shops do vary. I found some simply bunched with an elastic band (which I can, at least, reuse) in my local greengrocers. To make them a more appealing present you could wrap them in paper, maybe you already have some pretty paper in your house. You could use children’s art work, a couple of pages from a magazine or re-use some gift wrap.
4. Make a gift
The possibilities are endless! I'm thinking perhaps I might make some heart-shaped cookies this year (I already have the cookie cutters so should be able to make them with my kitchen cupboard ingredients). Now, if you know me, you will know baking is not my strongest skill! However, my children are very enthusiastic bakers so, by helping them, I have picked up a few tips. I have a very simple biscuit recipe that the children have used and is delicious so maybe it's time to dust off my apron! Cookies might not be a traditional option but my kids are quite into the idea of Valentine's Day so they could also receive one of these as a gift.
Do you have any more ideas? I'd love to hear them in the comments.
