Valentine’s Day gifts don’t have to impact both your wallet and the planet. This year, skip the heart-shaped balloons and chocolates and instead give your loved ones these 7 affordable and sustainable Valentine’s Day gifts that are guaranteed to bring them lasting joy.
Affordable and sustainable Valentine’s Day gifts
Book: a gift to read
There is nothing better than curling up in a cosy spot and reading a good book! Sharing one of your favourite books with someone is a special way to share a wonderful part of you. If there’s a book you adore, why not buy a copy, or gift your copy to your loved one to read? If they have completely different tastes in books, then purchase a book you think they would love to read. We recommend purchasing books at second-hand bookstores or op-shops rather than buying brand new ones. A study completed in 2006 estimated that the United States publishing industry consumed approximately 30 million trees and had a carbon footprint equivalent to 12.4m metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Seeds: a gift to grow
Valentine’s Day is a traditional day for giving flowers to those you love, but have you ever thought of swapping cut flowers for seeds? A Gift of Seeds that combines a greeting card and a packet of seeds to form a gift to grow is a perfect alternative gift to a bunch of flowers. Growing flowers from seed not only provides a longer-lasting gift but is better for the planet. You can even give a seed subscription so your loved one can receive and grow seeds all year long.
Plant: a gift to nurture
A plant is not only an incredibly sustainable gift, but it will continue to bring joy to the recipient for many years as it grows and matures. You don’t have to purchase a new plant. If you have a garden full of plants, pot up one of your favourite plants or propagate a new plant for your valentine from a clipping of your plant. Add personality to your plant gift with a fun pot. Pop Up Pots are foldable origami-style plant pots that instantly assemble with a quick pop. They’re made from lightweight 100% recycled plastic and feature original artworks by Australian artists.
Homemade items: a gift from the heart
Sometimes the best gifts are those that have been handmade by the people you love most. If you love to get crafty, wow your valentine with a homemade gift. A simple search on Google or Pinterest will bring up a stack of ideas.
Baked goods: a gift to enjoy
If your loved one has a sweet tooth, warm their heart with a homemade cake or their favourite biscuits. There are many Valentine’s Day themed recipes you can try, but if you’re looking for something that will truly impress your loved one, try making a pressed edible flower cake or edible flower cookies.
Experience: a gift of time
Not all Valentine’s Day gifts have to be physical gifts. An experience allows you to spend quality time with your loved one doing something you both enjoy. An experience doesn’t have to be costly; it can be as simple as having a picnic in the park, watching the sunrise from your favourite mountain or trying a new recipe together.
Keepsake: a gift to cherish
Forget the latest fads and gimmicks. If you want to give your loved one a gift, make sure it’s one they’ll treasure forever. Keepsakes are timeless and ageless gifts that eventually become treasured heirlooms. Most keepsakes are jewellery, watches, special crockery, and ornaments, but what about a flower press? A flower press is a unique keepsake that captures the magic of mother nature and gives the recipient the opportunity to preserve special floral memories throughout their life.