Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It can be hard to find the perfect gift for that special someone, especially if you’re looking for low waste or sustainable choices. Today, I’ve got 14 ideas for eco-friendly Valentine’s gifts to fit any budget.
This post was originally published in February 2021 and updated in January 2024.
Most popular Valentine’s Day gifts
When you think of Valentine’s Day gifts, chocolates and flowers immediately jump to mind. Statista confirms that candy, greeting cards and flowers are the top three choices in the United States, followed by romantic dinners, wine and the very unimaginative gift card.
Buying flowers at Valentine’s Day is an expensive proposition. And the sad part is, you pay a lot of money for flowers that don’t last as long as those you buy at other times of the year. Many years ago, my husband and I had our first date on February 10. On the 2nd anniversary of that first date, he bought me a dozen red roses. They were beautiful but he paid Valentine’s Day premium prices for them, and they didn’t even last 48 hours. Now I’m a practical girl so I told him I appreciated the gesture but not to waste his money buying me roses again.
Similarly, that cute heart-shaped box of chocolates costs more per ounce or gram than the boring old square box that has the same chocolates.
Then, there’s the environmental impact. Flowers are often wrapped in plastic, and boxed chocolates usually contain at least some plastic packaging.
But there’s good news. With a little creativity, you can surprise your special someone with a gift that’s kind to the planet, and easy on your wallet.
Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.
Eco-friendly Valentine’s gifts that won’t break the bank
Here are 14 ideas for eco-friendly Valentine’s gifts to fit any budget.
- Candy or baked goods. If you like to bake, make some home-made candy, cookies or cupcakes. Package them in a reusable decorative box or tin with a red bow and you’re all set. If you’re not a baker, look for a local bakery or candy shop that packages their product in boxes or tins.
- Jewellery. They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend and I can’t argue with that—but you don’t have to spend a fortune on jewellery. There are lots of people who make beautiful, affordable jewellery.
- Romantic home-cooked dinner. Dining out on Valentine’s Day is expensive, if you can get a reservation. Stay home and enjoy a romantic home-cooked dinner, or support a local restaurant by getting takeout.
- Wine or craft beer or cider. A nice bottle of wine is always a great gift. And, if your loved-one isn’t a wine drinker, a selection of craft beer or cider is an excellent alternative.
- A potted plant is just as beautiful as cut flowers, and will last a lot longer.
- Unwrapped bar soap. There are so many wonderful unwrapped, or paper-wrapped scented bar soaps to choose from.
- Soy or beeswax candles. What’s more romantic than a candlelit evening? Soy or beeswax candles are an eco-friendlier alternative to traditional candles.
- Gourmet coffee or loose-leaf tea. Many local specialty shops sell gourmet coffees or loose-leaf teas in sustainable packaging.
- Flavoured olive oil in glass bottles. If your sweetie likes to cook, look for a selection of gourmet olive oils.
- Books. A new book by their favourite author or a collectible book on a topic they love will be sure to please.
- “What I love about you” card. This is something you can make yourself. A handmade, handwritten card with all the reasons you love your partner will be sure to bring a smile to their face.
- Bath bombs. Instead of bubble bath in plastic bottles, look for unwrapped bath or shower bombs.
- Hand-knit scarf or hat. It’s winter so a warm scarf or hat would be a great gift. If you don’t knit, look for a local craftsperson to knit it for you.
- Finally, experiences make the best gifts. What better way to show your love than the gift of an experience you can enjoy together? Check out This Christmas, give experiences not things for 12 experience gift ideas that work for any occasion.
Support local business if you can
If you can, buy your Valentine’s gifts from small, local businesses. You’ll likely find something unique, and buying local is always more sustainable!
Do you have other ideas to add to this list? Tell us about them below.
Your writing has a way of making complicated topics easier to understand It’s evident how much research and effort goes into each post
Thank you!
These are such amazing ideas. Thank you so much for sharing
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment!
Lovely. Have only just realised the date!! I love getting things that remind us of great memories!
https://overtherhinestonerainbow.blog
Yes. Any kind of sentimental gift like that is amazing.
A special home cooked meal or the flavoured olive oil sounds like a great idea! Thanks for the other ideas too — you’ve got me thinking more about what I can do for Valentine’s Day!
Thanks Molly. I put this list together but haven’t got anything for my husband yet. I’d better get on it.
Baked good and plant for the win! These are the loveliest. And yes, buying local is important. Great ideas as always, Michelle.
It will be hard to bake anything and keep it a surprise this year because my husband is working from home right now and he’s here all the time.
Experiences do indeed make the best gifts, but I love your ideas for sustainable gifts that will be used and enjoyed nonetheless. Supporting small businesses on Etsy by buying beautiful and handcrafted jewelry is one of my favorite ways to shop, though stepping into a gourmet shop usually carries me away with all the pretty bottles and gorgeous smells!
Etsy is a great idea to support small businesses. That’s something we all need to do more of right now because so many people are struggling.
I agree with you, the only flowers worth the price are Carnations, my favourite over roses because they last longer. I like the local hand made jewelry idea too. The handmade cards are far better, using paper doilies and a photograph of yourself and your partner. I made one years ago and it is still on the dresser! Thanks for great ideas!
Thanks Lorraine. Yes, homemade stuff is always better because it’s made with love.
Some great suggestions, and lots of things here that can usually be bought locally and through smaller businesses to support them through these particularly tough times. I’m a sucker for jewellery so I might have to treat myself for Valentine’s – if someone else isn’t going to buy nice things for you, then you’ve got to do the job yourself! 😉
Caz xx
Thanks Caz. You’re right. It’s so important to support local businesses right now.
Go ahead and treat yourself! Enjoy.
Love this! I’ve got some candles that I’ve made and love giving them out as a gift or sometimes I like to make chocolates 🙂
Caroline | https://envirolineblog.com/
That sounds awesome. Home made gifts are the best kind of gifts.
And old friend and I used to joke that we’d prefer a table lamp to cut flowers as a gift because it would last longer lol. But it’s true! I love the idea of a potted plant instead of cut flowers too. And the “What I love about you” card is super sweet. Handmade gifts are always really special.
LOL. A table lamp. I love it and the practical side of me agrees whole-heartedly. I would always choose a potted plant over cut flowers.