Lover’s Day is among us! This is a time of emphasizing your love (but of course you do this everyday) typically through the love language “Gifts”. However, it is important to be mindful of what type of gifts we are giving and the impact they have on the environment. If we are not conscious about it, Valentine’s Day can be destructive to the planet. But I won’t spoil all the fun.
Here are a few tips on how to celebrate this day of love while keeping Mama Earth in mind:
Experiences, not Gifts
Gifts usually just contribute to the overfilled landfill in the end. Instead, give the gift of an experience. Try a staycation, do an activity together, go on a cute date. It could all be as memorable as a gift, if not even more.
Gifts that Last
*cough* Get the ring *cough*
No pressure.
If you must, give a gift that will not eventually end up in the trash. Try to gift something that will last forever. Or at least longer than balloons and flowers. Gifts such as books, jewelry, plants, etc will stick around for a long time and maybe even longer than you. Just kidding. Hopefully.
Staycation
The world is filled with so many beautiful places. It’s easy to forget the beautiful places around us.
Instead of flying to a destination, try a staycation instead. Explore your own city in ways you never have. Stay in that hotel you always pass and have been wanting to check out. Take a road trip to a destination city by you.
You’re saving tonnes of carbon emissions when you choose to keep it local rather than flying to a destination thousands of miles away. Less emissions are emitted into the air with less travel.
Bake Your Gifts
Who doesn’t like cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries? You know what would make it even more special? If you were to make it yourself. When you make them at home, you typically use less packaging and all the ingredients can be bought in bulk. You could even make them together if you want to get really cute!
Potted Plants over Flowers
Why buy a bouquet when you can get the whole plant? Instead of purchasing decapitated heads (yes, I went there), opt for potted plants. You could even do flowering potted plants to make it festive. Potted plants lasts for years whereas cut flowers last for maybe a week. Ultimately, cut-flowers die and where’s the love in that? Think about the metaphor that represents. Give something that will stay alive like your relationship (we hope).
Save a rose bush. Get a plant.
Balloons
When you think about Valentine’s Day, cute heart shaped balloons always cross my mind. It’s cute. It has been a staple on love day since high school. And there is where we should leave it. Reality is, balloons always end up in the trash after a few days, if not immediately after.
It’s important to consider their environmental impact.
They are cute but honestly, unnecessary.
Cards
Cards are not necessary. At all. Sorry Hallmark.
What do you do with the many cards you receive for every holiday known to man? When are we going to let go of the stronghold holiday cards has on us?
About 1 billion cards are sent for Valentine’s Day every year and most end up in the trash later. A nice alternative to the usual holiday cards are seeded cards that will bloom when planted. That’s two gifts in one!
There are many ways to keep it eco-friendly while celebrating this holiday. At the end of the day, have fun! Just not at the expense of Mama Earth.
ECO BAE 