Valentine’s Day is often seen as a Hallmark Holiday centered around consumerism, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Celebrate the essence of love with this sustainable Valentine’s Day gift guide. Whether you’re spending time with a partner, your friends, family, or simply treating yourself, honor the occasion with these thoughtful and environmentally-conscious choices. Here are twenty sustainable Valentine’s Day gift ideas for 2024.

Experience Based Sustainable Valentine’s Day Ideas:

Eliminate material goods from your Valentine’s Day plans altogether by celebrating with a memorable experience. While consumable goods easily lose value over time and often end up in the landfill a few years later, memories made from experiences last forever. 

Here are some non-material, eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas to gift a loved one:

1. Class or Workshop

Education is invaluable. Treat your person to a course or workshop that they’ve always wanted to attend but have been reluctant to spend money on. Skillshare, Udemy, and Coursera are some of the best options for online courses.

2. Subscription or Membership To Something You Can Experience Together

Whether it’s something as basic as an online streaming service for movies and shows or something a little more niche like a membership to your local museum, botanical garden, or opera, ongoing subscriber-based services are a thoughtful way to show that you want to spend time doing something together.

3. Experiences or Tours

Whether you’re traveling or exploring your own city, booking an experience or tour can be a great way to learn something new together. Browse Airbnb Experiences, Viator, or Tripadvisor for suggestions on experiences near you.

4. Tickets To Just About Anything

Surprise your partner this Valentine’s Day with concert tickets or event tickets to something or someone that they really enjoy.

5. DIY Workshop

Think candles, perfume, chocolate, coffee, beer, hot sauce and so much more! Romantic gifts are ten times more romantic when they’re made together.

6. Couples Spa Day

Treat yourself and your loved one to a relaxing day at the spa. Whether it’s a couples massage or trying out skincare treatments together, eliminating stress this Valentine’s Day is a sure way to foster intimacy. Make it more sustainable by choosing a spa that uses only eco-friendly ingredients!

Handmade Sustainable Valentine’s Day Gifts Ideas:

Minimize your environmental impact this Valentine’s Day with a handmade gift. Use upcycled materials that you have lying around and exercise some creativity when customizing your partner’s gift. 

Here are some handmade sustainable valentine’s day gift ideas that you can make:

7. 30 Days of New Experiences” Personalized Calendar

Maybe one experience isn’t enough to show your love. Plan 30 days of new experiences instead! This calendar can be printed on recycled paper with soy ink for an environmentally-friendly take.

8. “Reasons Why I Love You” Book

Create a hand-bound book with paper that you no longer need and then write and illustrate a book that demonstrates just how special your person is.

9. Scrapbook, Photo Album, or Memories Zine 

A picture is worth a thousand words. Make a collage of your shared moments and share them digitally or print them out on recycled paper.

10. Upcycled Garment

Sure, you could go out and buy something, but an upcycled gift is more unique and sustainable! Just google or youtube some tutorials for cute designs and you’re set to go!

11. Handmade Soap or Chocolates

Thoughtfully handmade soaps and chocolate are romantic but also creative! Use molds, scents, and flavors that your partner enjoys.

12. A Romantic Playlist, CD, Cassette Tape, or Vinyl 

Throw it back with a romantic playlist that speaks to your journey together. Physical options like a CD, vinyl, or cassette tape are obviously less sustainable than a simple digital playlist.

13. Trusty ‘Ol Love Letter

Nothing says “I Love You” like a classic love letter. Take things up a notch by hiding shorter ones around the house for them to discover throughout the day.

Sustainable & Ethical Valentine’s Day Gifts To Buy:

If none of the ideas listed above resonate and gift-giving is your partner’s preferred love language, then a thoughtful gift purchased from a sustainable, eco-friendly, and ethical business might be a nice way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. 

Here are some sustainable Valentine’s Day gifts to purchase:

14. Plants

Whether you go with a classic bouquet sourced from a sustainable farm, a potted plant, or a houseplant subscription, plants are one of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for people of all genders and backgrounds.

15. Romantic Bonding Games

Intimacy requires vulnerability but sometimes it can be hard to have those conversations. A couples bonding game can make the experience easier and more fun. Some popular games include Talk, Flirt, Dare: Date Night Box Set, Spark Romance: 50 Ways to Deepen Your Connection, and Our Moments: Conversation Cards.

16. Sustainable Socks, Underwear, and Lingerie

Intimates are always a necessity. Check out our favorite picks for eco-friendly options here.

17. Sustainable Fashion

Treat your stylish partner to that sustainably made garment that they’ve been eyeing. Here are 8 organic cotton clothing brands to shop and some of our favorite sustainable fashion brands that carry a large range of styles and sizes.

18. Sustainable Jewelry

Sustainable jewelry is made from recycled precious metals, features fair-trade practices, and uses conflict-free gems. Here are 10 ethical and sustainable jewelry brands that you can consider for your Valentine’s Day gift.

19. Sustainable Home Goods

Maybe your partner prefers trinkets and tools for the home instead. Here’s where you can buy secondhand home goods online.

20. Gift Card to A Sustainable Online Marketplace 

Not sure what to get your partner for Valentine’s Day but know that they care about the environment? Get your partner a gift card to a sustainable online marketplace! That way, they can do the shopping for themselves.

In a world often driven by consumerism, these sustainable Valentine's Day ideas remind us that expressions of love need not come at the expense of the environment. By choosing experiences over material goods, opting for handmade gifts with recycled materials, or consciously choosing to support ethical and sustainable businesses, we can celebrate love in a way that not only warms our hearts but also preserves the beauty of the world we share.

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