Last Updated on August 14, 2020 by Ellen Christian
Here are a few ideas to help you have an eco-friendly Valentine’s Day this year. Valentine’s Day is just one of those days that makes me feel that I need to head out to the store and buy, buy, buy.
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Have an Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day
While I certainly don’t mind shopping, I like to know that my money is wisely spent and that I support companies that offer eco-friendly choices. I’m also trying to be aware of what I bring into my home because I know that clutter is a definite challenge for me.
Historically, Valentine’s Day was a day when men would declare their undying love for their true love. They memorized poetry to recite in hopes that it would impress their chosen recipient. In the 1800s paper Valentine’s started to make an appearance decorated with lace and ribbons and by the mid-1800s boxed chocolates and other gifts started to become popular.
Now, it seems that Valentine’s Day has become a very commercialized holiday and plastic trinkets and pink and red sweets loaded with high fructose corn syrup are everywhere you look. You don’t need to go shopping to be an eco-friendly Valentine.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be this way at all. You can enjoy the holiday and still make eco-friendly choices. You don’t have to run to the store to purchase all of your Valentine’s Day goodies. If you plan ahead a little bit, you can make a variety of different things yourself. Here are a few of my suggestions.
- Fair Trade Certified Dark Chocolate
- Pick or Grow Your Own Flowers
- Make or Upcycle Valentine Cards
- Purchase Eco-friendly Gifts
Fair Trade Certified Dark Chocolate
Purchase a bar of Fair Trade Certified dark chocolate. Create a custom candy bar wrapper using scrapbook paper, construction paper, wrapping paper or even fabric. Close the wrapper with tape or tie with a ribbon, string, yarn or twine. For those that are crafty in nature, you can melt down the dark chocolate in a double boiler and pour the melted chocolate into molds to create candy in the shape of hearts or teddy bears. This is a tasty way to be an eco-friendly Valentine.
Pick or Grow Your Own Flowers
If you live in a warm climate, you can always pick wildflowers to make your own bouquet. Just make sure you leave the root system so it can come back next year. Those of us who live in colder climates don’t have this option but we still have choices. You can grow flowers from seed and pot them before the cold weather hits. Just make sure they get plenty of light and water and they should be fine until Valentine’s Day. This is a great way to be an eco-friendly Valentine for someone who loves gardening.
If you want to try something a bit more exotic, you can force flower bulbs. I’ve started bulbs in the winter around Christmas time and had them bloom in time for Valentine’s Day. A simple crocus or narcissus in a glass vase can be a gorgeous gift. If you don’t have a green thumb, purchase a few eco-friendly grown flowers and display them creatively.
Make or Upcycle Valentine’s Day Cards
If you’re not crafty, there are cards out there made from recycled paper that you can purchase. If you like to make your own cards, start with recycled card stock like a manila envelope you no longer need. How you decorate it is totally up to you. You can draw, stencil, paint or decorate with miscellaneous bits of ribbon, buttons, paper scraps, embroidery floss or whatever you have.
You can also stop by a thrift store and see if you can purchase cards there. I’ve seen some very pretty vintage cards that can be upcycled into a brand new card. Be an eco-friendly Valentine by sending a digital card! Here’s some information about recycling holiday cards and decor.
Purchase Eco-Friendly Gifts
If you want to purchase a gift for your Valentine, there are lots of sites out there that offer eco-friendly gifts including clothing, jewelry, soy candles, all-natural body products, natural essential oil perfumes. I also highly recommend stalking your local thrift and consignment stores for suitable gifts provided your Valentine is OK with the idea. I have no problem at all receiving gently loved gifts. It’s a great way to keep things out of the landfill and stop the constant new manufacture of products that uses up valuable resources.
How else can you be an eco-friendly Valentine?
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
I’m pinning your post, Valentine Origami Boxes, since I seemed to have missed it. I eventually get to things, lol. So, starting early enough to think about Valentine’s Day this year I hope. I have a ton of Valentine’s cards stashed away for the occasion, so I think I’m set. I just have to start thinking about it now and not procrastinate! That wooden fork and spoon in the pic above is the cutest!!
Thanks, Deb. Procrastination is never good!