Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gifts & Things to Do

Hearts, a box of chocolates, flowers, and dinner out is what comes to mind for Valentine’s Day. It’s that time to make sure you shower your special someone with love. But have you ever wondered how much we are wasting? Think about it all the cards, the flowers, the presents, the boxes of chocolate that everyone worldwide is buying and throwing away (after they eat the candy, of course)! That’s a lot!! Well, if you are anything like me, I strive my best to be environmentally friendly with each holiday.

“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world” -Anonymous

So, you may ask what’s the solution to an “eco-friendly” Valentine’s Day? I made it super simple and gathered 6 easy ideas to make a sustainable Valentine’s Day for you and your significant other.

*This is not a sponsored post. Just products and local services I love!

Instead of a Bouquet of Flowers . . . Buy a Plant

Let’s plant flowers instead of cutting them! While a bouquet lasts for a couple of weeks, a potted plant will last you a lot longer. Give the gift of a plant and visit our local plant stores such as Abide A While Garden and Boutique and Hyam Garden and Accent Store. They carry the most beautiful flowers to add to your garden!

Swap a Chain Restaurant for a Local Eco-Friendly Restaurant

While there are so many eco-friendly restaurant options that are available, my personal favorite is Five Loaves Café. This is such a perfect restaurant because they strive for all of their ingredients to be local and organic. Plus, they have wonderful and delicious meals that are vegan and food allergy-free. If you need a box to take home, worry not! They use eco-friendly containers!

Take a Romantic Beach Walk instead of Taking a Driving Around Town

Ok, cliché, right? But this is a very simple way to have an eco-friendly Valentine’s Day with gorgeous views. Take advantage of the beaches we live on and ditch the car that is polluting the air. There are so many wonderful beaches to explore here including Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Sullivan’s Island. What’s more romantic than to cap the night off with a walk along the beach? And if the beach isn’t your thing, downtown Charleston has wonderful walking tours!

Candle Lovers, Wine Lovers Anyone? Here is the perfect gift . . .

Is your special someone not only a wine lover but a candle lover as well? These candles from local business Rewine Candles not only smell heavenly delicious because they are wine scented, but the glass they use to hold the candles are repurposed wine bottles. Cool, right?! A gift that is surely environmentally friendly!

Give the Gift of Relaxing Couple Manicures and Pedicures

Pamper yourself and your special someone with a relaxing manicure and pedicure. Worried about all the fumes and toxic chemicals that go along with your manicure and pedicure? Worry not: Freecoat Nails and Varnish Lane makes sure that all products are non-toxic and environmentally friendly. BONUS – If you give them any of your old nail polishes, they recycle them, and give you a discount for better nail polishes that are environmentally friendly! They both offer out of this world services to indulge yourself and your significant other! Definitely a must-have treat!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

This Valentine’s Day let’s do the environment a favor and think eco-friendly. I hope these local tips will be helpful for anyone looking to better the earth. Even buying a card printed on recycled paper is a great start! 

What are some of your plans/gifts this Valentine’s Day that are environmentally friendly? Or maybe you have other recommendations and tips… we’d love to hear them!