Valentine’s day is coming up, which means a day of romance for you and your significant other, your pals, or yourself. It’s also the time that the media pushes the idea of consumer culture by telling us buying products is the only way to show your affection during this holiday (which is not true). You can show your love through gift giving acts of service, physical touch, words of affirmation, gift giving and quality time = the love languages. Ultimately, you can show your love without harming the Earth.
Sometimes a gift can be seen as a way to showcase how much you listen to that person’s wants or needs. We can all do the popularized superficial gifts that literally everyone else is doing, or you can make it unique to you and your relationship. Whatever you choose to do, I encourage you to think from your heart.
Before you think about getting gifts, look into your significant other’s love language so you can get them something they will actually want to enjoy or do. Take the love language test here.
Everything mentioned in this guide is ethical, sustainable, plastic free, and made from sustainable practices.
Table of Contents
THE TRADITIONALS.. BUT MAKE THEM SUSTAINABLE
When you think of Valentine’s Day, it comprises of 5 ingredients: flowers, chocolate, cards, jewelry, and stuffed teddy bears- we can gift all of the above but even better by giving back or supporting ethical companies
1. RESPONSIBLY SOURCED FLOWERS
Let’s be real… almost every girl loves flowers. However, instead of getting overpriced roses wrapped in plastic, choose flowers that are ethically sourced, wrapped in paper/ burlap or sold already in a vase!
2. POTTED PLANTS
A great option if you want to give a gift that will continuously make them think of you and grow with your loved one, not just for 1-3 week like regular flowers do. You can even gift a curated potting kit through HeyRooted or gift monthly plant subscriptions through: The Plant Club, The Sill (waitlist), Succulent Box, Succulent Studios, and the House Plant Box.
Sustainable Flower Guide for all flower and potted plant Valentines Day needs
If you want to save even more money and reduce plastic, head to a farmers markets and wrap them up yourself or you can even make flowers out of paper (example here)!
3. CUTE STUFFED ANIMALS THAT GIVES BACK
I feel like the go to for Valentine’s Day is stuffed teddy bears, but instead of just buying a random one with no meaning, you can gift a stuffed animal version of an animal that you are sponsoring through the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Gift a cute polar bear that will help support WWF’s global conservation work and send a Polar Bear themed email adoption certificate to your designated recipient or any animal your significant other likes (ex. bees, penquins, elephants, panda bear, butterflies, elephants, manatees, etc. the list is pretty extensive! You can even filter it so you can choose them based on threat level.
4. PLASTIC FREE CANDIES/CHOCOLATES
A great way to anyone’s heart is through the stomach. Fill up a mason jar with any of the following:
- Alter Eco Truffles: Being a certified B corp, the wrappers are made from eucalyptus and birch trees with non toxic ink and are one of the only candies that I have seen with compostable packaging. You can buy a 60 pack of their medley truffles for $45 here, they also individually sell bars for $4 (15% off with “BEMINE15”). Vegan Alter Eco Truffles are: Deep Dark Blackout, Deep Dark Quinoa Crunch, Salted Almonds, Deep Dark Sea Salt, Deep Dark Classic Blackout, Total Blackout, and Super Blackout
- Conscious Vegan Plastic Free Chocolate: All dairy free and plastic free, handmade in the UK in small batches from the finest, ethically-sourced, raw ingredients to bring chocolate to another level. They plant a tree for every order over £30.00. You also have the option to buy trees at the check out! Their Love Gift Box of their Love Potion Chocolate is $12USD (12 chocolates inside)
- Lick the Spoon Plastic Free Chocolate Boxes: A small family run business that connects closely with cocoa farmers and chocolate makers in Madagscar and supporters of Raisetrade that creates award winning chocolates for both vegans and non-vegans for $18USD a box (12 chocolates inside)
- The popular candies with recyclable packaging: Nerds, Dots, Junior Mints, Mike n Ikes, Queens Delight Hard Candy in Tins, Whoppers, Milk duds, Kisses, etc. Just look into what your candy is being packaged in and do your best to avoid plastic!
- Bulk buying: This reduces the plastic that is traditionally used when the candies are individually packaged. Stores like Whole Foods, Kroger, etc., look up stores near you!
Check out the Good Trade’s list of 11 Fair Trade Chocolate Companies List
5. ETHICAL JEWELRY:
- Pura Vida Charity Collection Bracelets: Their Charity Collection not only supports the local Costa Rican Artisans making the bracelets but also gives back to special causes you care about by donating 5% of the purchase price of every bracelet. Get 20% off with MONICAKIZIS20
- Boody Giving Bracelet: Great for both men and women, these bracelets are hand-beaded in Africa with 100% of profits raised with every purchase of this bracelet supporting African entrepreneurs and funding the fight against malaria (donated to Goodbye Malaria and the Relate Organization)
- Ana Luisa: jewelry made with clean, low-impact, recycled materials. Our production process respects both the craftspeople and the earth that makes our jewelry possible.
- 4Ocean Bracelet: a for-profit company that sells bracelets made mostly from recycled materials, as well as apparel and other merchandise for which the materials are environmentally and socially responsibly sourced. The company uses a portion of the profits to remove one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines for each bracelet.
- Anita: Collaborates with over 8,000 talented artisan partners and brilliant women across four continents and 9 countries and has become a resource for survivors, both the silenced and outspoken through supporting them with financial security.
- Etsy: a marketplace filled with small business, just look to see what they use to package and their values
Check out The Good Trades post on 11 Ethical Jewelry Brands
6. PLANTABLE CARDS
Seed Paper Hearts by Botanical Paperworks: are a symbol of that love living on as they grow and blossom into real flowers when planted. The heart shape is created with recycled materials that are embedded with NON-GMO seeds that blossom into wildflowers when planted either indoors or outdoors. A heartfelt way to give loved ones the chance to grieve in private as they plant the shape in soil and watch it grow.
7. CARDS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS
Paper Cultures Valentine’s Cards: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper and plant a tree that you can dedicate to someone with every order
Recycled Paper Greetings: Creates unique greeting cards while supporting the environment. Funny valentines day cards printed on recycled paper.
SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES
8. UNDERWEAR: Bamboo is by far the most comfiest and softest material out there, so treat yourself or your loved one with some seriously soft undies from these companies
- Hara the Label (women): Hara use their label as a platform to bring change, awareness and education to the issues within the fashion industry. Hara consciously creates soft pieces with sustainable and ethical practices at the core. Every single piece Hara creates is naturally plant dyed by them; printing & dying the bamboo themselves in their warehouse in Melbourne, Australia (Price: $35)
- Boody Wear (men & women): All Boody garments are made from organically grown bamboo and produced adhering to the highest standards for both the planet and their workers. Even their boxes are recycled and printed with vegetable-based ink! Prices ranging from $12-$27
- Bamboo Underwear (men & women, lingerie): The Bamboo team is involved in all stages of the production and ensure that employees evolve in a climate conducive to fulfillment. Our goal is to develop relationships with the local population and to offer jobs that meet our code of ethic. Prices ranging from $7-30 (not including lingerie).
- We Are Hah (Eco Lingerie): these are not made from Bamboo, but Polytrimethyle Terephthalate and Lycra Xtra Life (eco friendly fabrics made from renewable sourced ingredients and reduce environmental impact). For every order they plant a tree. Very transparent about their waste and explains why some of their items come wrapped in plastic. Prices ranging from $28-78
9. PLASTIC FREE / LOOSE LEAF TEA
Starwest Botanicals: Starwest is one of the largest suppliers of organic herbs in the United States, committed to selling premium quality natural products while preserving the environment and making a more sustainable planet. Starwest offers loose tea, essential oils, herb blends with options to buy in bulk. Eco friendly packaging & shipping
T2: A certified B Corp located in Australia that supplies an array of sustainably sourced teas, herbs, fruits and spices from a number of different certification schemes; from UTZ, Rainforest Alliance, Fair for Life and organics certifications. 92% of their packaging and consumables are either reusable, recyclable or compostable
Check out the Eco Warrior Princesses Guide for Plastic Free Tea Brands for more plastic free tea bag options
10. CANDLES
The old candles are out and soy and coconut wax blends with essential oils are in
- PF Candle Co: The entire P.F. collection is vegan, cruelty-free, and phthalate-free. All candles are made with 100% domestically-grown soy wax. Candle prices ranging from $20-30.
- Free Spirit Candles: Hand-poured crystal infused candles made in glass containers with 100% soy wax, scented with 100% vegan and cruelty free fragrance oils . Each candle has a crystal selected especially for it’s corresponding candle, to help guide, ground, cleanse or heal your energy ($15-24)
- Refresh Candle Co: A black owned company that provides organic scented candle that are hand poured with coconut wax, includes a Wood Wick ($15)
- Shanty Creations: Consciously crafted with coconut wax for the most sustainable, healthy & luxurious option on the market. We use a blend of the purest high grade essential oils and phthalate-free perfume oils to scent our candles. Hand poured in mason jars so you can repurpose them any way you choose (15% off with VALENTINES- $30-40)
- Mala the Label: All candles are hand-poured with custom blended soy wax in Vancouver, BC and a tree is planted with every purchase.Their cotton wicks are lead-free and woodwicks are FSC certified approved (made from post consumer waste), and they delivery with recyclable packing ($35-60)
There are sooo many candles out there, you can 100% find one thats in your price range and eco friendly!
11. SOCKS:
- Conscious Steps: Fair Trade Certified and Vegan Certified socks made from a high quality organic cotton fabric blend, every pair of Conscious Step socks gives back to a nonprofit dedicated to changing our world for the better! ($15 each)
- United By Blue: United by Blue removes 1 pound of trash from our waterways with every purchase. Their socks are made from a blend of cotton and hemp and feature a slight stretch for all-day comfort (on sale for $10 each)
- Solmate Socks: A zero waste company that makes socks in the USA from recycled cotton, recycled polyester, and a splash of nylon and lycra ($20 each)
- Maggie Organics: Made from an eco-friendly blend of GOTS Certified organic cotton and a touch of nylon and spandex. Hand-dyed in the USA, each pair of socks features a slightly different tie-dye pattern – and won’t bleed or fade after washing ($17 each)
Geto 10% off with “MONICAROAMS” when shopping on Earthhero.
12. ECO FRIENDLY SHOES:
- 8000Kicks: 100% vegan and eco friendly footwear made from strong cannabis hemp fibers. They have the world’s first natural hemp insoles and their outsoles are made from recycled algal blooms! Since these shoes are made of durable hemp fibers, they are waterproof and super light and comfortable.
- Cariuma: Uses premium raw materials in order to yield a smaller footprint- bamboo, rubber, organic cotton, sugarcane, cork, recycled PET, Mamona Oil & more. They use 100% recycled & recyclable paper for delivery as well!
- Saola: Vegan sneakers made from an innovative blend of banana fibers, beeswax, and Hevea tree milk. The beeswax makes these shoes water repellent, while the algae foam and Hevea tree milk outsoles make the shoes lightweight yet durable. Plus, each pair contains 3-4 recycled plastic water bottles, and donates 1% towards environmental causes!
Get 10% off 8000kicks & anything on Earthhero with “MONICAROAMS“
DIY: MAKE IT STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART
When you make gifts yourself it is honestly so cute, the work and love you put in to their gift is much more sentimental than anything you can buy at the store.
13. MAKE YOUR OWN VALENTINE’S DAY TREATS: this is a way to reduce plastic while also gifting something you made from the heart, there are SO many amazing recipes out there too that literally make my mouth water.
I comprised a pinterest board of Easy Vegan Valentine’s Day Treats you can make (I will definitely be making some)!
14. MAKE YOUR OWN CARD: Check out these 7 ideas to make recycled valentines day cards that pops out
15. MAKE A RING OUT OF COPPER AND GEMSTONE: it actually looks surprisingly easy, here is a TikTok with step by step directions.
16. MAKE YOUR OWN CANDLE: grab your old candles or upcycle an old bottle to make your loved one a person candle and decorate it how ever you’d like
Check out the Spruce Crafts :How to Make Homemade Candles for Beginners
OR make it a date and head to your nearest Candle Lab so you can make you own soy wax candle together
17. MAKE A BEARD BALM: what better way to keep your man thinking about you then making him his own scented beard balm! DIY Beard Balm Recipe here.
18. MAKE YOUR OWN TERRARIUM: A terrarium are basically mini gardens that are often made in sealable glass containers containing soil and plants, and can be opened for maintenance to access the plants inside. How to Make a Terrarium in 6 Steps
19. MAKE YOUR OWN FLOWER OUT OF CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRIES: Also another brilliant idea from TikTok.
DONATE
20. OCEAN LOVER CHARITIES:
Adopt a Super Coral with Coral Gardeners: Each super coral adopted will allow Coral Gardeners to plant fragments of their species each year, you receive a beautiful coral card to hang up, ability to personalize a card, and aid in the restoration the most damaged reef areas around the world by empowering local communities and teaming up with local and global experts and scientists.
The best Marine Conservation Organizations to donate too.
21. ANIMAL LOVER CHARITIES: Check out the Oysters Top Charities for Endangered Animals
22. HUMAN RIGHTS CHARITIES:
UNICEF Inspired Gifts: UNICEF delivers lifesaving supplies to children and communities around the world. The UNICEF Inspired Gift Collection offers everything from school supplies and warm clothing to soccer balls and vaccines. You can even donate a water pump to help an entire village! Choose your gift of supplies, then dedicate it to your loved one using one of our beautiful e-greetings or print-at-home cards. UNICEF will take it from there, delivering the supplies to the world’s most vulnerable children.
Global Giving: GlobalGiving is a nonprofit that supports other nonprofits by connecting them to donars and companies . Donate to a project that works on causes the honoree cares about- providing food, education, rights, etc.
Dedicate it with a personalized ecard!
Check out The Good House Keeping’s list of 50 Best Charities to donate too!
I really hope this post helps spark some sustainable ideas and alternatives for you Valentine’s Day! Let me know via the comments or through Instagram which one you thought was the best!
May your Valentine’s be filled with love, happiness, and eco friendly gifts.
