Valentine’s Day Gifts 2024: 10 Conscious Picks for Every Kind of Love
Photo by Shingi Rice on Unsplash
Embrace a more sustainable approach to Valentine's Day Gifts with our top picks for every type of love.
Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes
Hey there, lovebirds! Valentine’s Day is around the corner and although we’re excited for a day dedicated to love, we’re a little bit sick of seeing plastic-packaged chocolates, stereotypical cards, and red roses wrapped in (you guessed it) plastic on the shelf…maybe you are too?
That’s why we’ve curated a list of 10 unique and sustainable gifts to celebrate every kind of love.
Because the truth is love looks different for everybody and generic gifts don’t always fit the bill. Not to mention, the overconsumption and wastefulness that comes with them. Seriously, Americans shell out nearly $4 billion on candies and flowers alone during this holiday!
So, whether you’re flying solo, spending the day with your partner, your friends, or it’s a family affair, we’ve found the perfect low-waste and eco-friendly options for you.
Photo by Caleb Jones on Unsplash
Contents
- What’s not to love about Valentine’s Day?
- 10 sustainable Valentine’s Day gift ideas
- For yourself
- For your partner
- For friends
- For family
- 3 LGBTQ+ owned and empowering brands
- Celebrating love of every kind
What’s not to love about Valentine’s Day?
Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash
Is there a Valentine’s Day equivalent to a Grinch? If there is, we don’t mean to be that person. We just know there are some things about the holidays we don’t love so much.
1. Unsustainable gifting
Production, shipping, and packaging of Valentine’s gifts and cards has a huge impact on the environment:
- Over 1 million trees are cut down each year to make Valentine greeting cards.
- 18,000 metric tons of CO2 is generated to produce and ship Valentine roses to the U.S. every year.
- U.S. Valentine’s Day consumption generates enough carbon emissions to drive around the world 3,993 times!
All the gifts in this guide are zero waste or recyclable and made from a sustainable material. A carbon offset is also automatically calculated for you during checkout, based on your shipping address, which you have the option of adding to your order.
2. Overly commercial
Since when did you have to buy boxes and boxes of love heart-shaped chocolates to prove your love? It seems in the US we’re forking out on things that simply won’t last:
- Americans spend about $1.8 billion on candy for Valentine’s Day.
- The U.S. spends $2.1 billion each Valentine's Day on clothing.
- $2 billion worth of Valentine's Day flowers are bought each year in the U.S.
We’ve made sure to select products that are high-quality, long-lasting or reusable, and suitable for a range of budgets, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth.
3. Lack of inclusivity
Whether you’re loved-up in a queer couple or a single parent with a full-heart from your kids, you might look at Valentine’s Day cards and gifts and think that it’s not for you. To that, we say ‘‘it’s 2024 - about time we go beyond a one-dimensional view of love!’’
Romantic love isn’t the only kind of love: there’s self-love, friends, and family too. And romantic love doesn’t look one way, LGBTQ+ couples should feel like their love is equally represented and celebrated.
We’ve made sure everyone is included in this guide, featuring unisex products, different kinds of love, and spotlighting LGBTQ+-owned and empowering brands.
Let’s bring V-day back to what we do love: letting our favorite people know how much they mean to us, with quality time and meaningful gifts!
10 Sustainable Valentine’s Day Gifts
Here are our 10 top picks that are not only awesome but sustainable and inclusive too!
For yourself
Suds & Eco Sunshine Bathroom Bundle, $71.99
Who doesn’t love some self-care? This sweet-smelling bundle includes Suds & Eco’s bestselling shampoo and conditioner bars, soap bar, and decadent body butter. All the packaging is compostable or recyclable, perfect for a complete evening of showing yourself, and the planet, some love.
For your partner
ESAS Organic Fragrance Mists, $45
This unisex fragrance mist by EASAS is non-toxic, cruelty-free, and chemical-free. You won’t be able to resist your partner once you get a whiff of a fragrance that’s warm, sensuous, and kind to the environment.
Leaf Shave Safety Razor, $58.99
This single-blade wonder isn't just a razor—it's a smooth operator designed to seduce your skin by making your shaving routine simple and sustainable. The only problem is your partner might love it more than you…
Blue Heron Botanicals Lip Therapy Balms, $9.95
Pay your kisser a proper lip service with Blue Heron Botanicals’ Lip Therapy Balms. We’re sure you’ll enjoy sharing the organic infusion of skin-soothing vitamins and nutrients…get a room guys!
For your friends
Wellthy Recycled Paper Clip Chain Bracelet, $85
Friendship bracelets aren’t just for school kids. With a little luxury and eco-imagination, Wellthy has designed a minimalist and elegant bracelet from recycled paper clips. Each piece is audited by SCS, ensuring that it not only looks good on your friend but also does good for the Earth.
Suds and Eco Blossom Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle, $31.98
Who needs a Valentine’s bouquet when you can immerse yourself in a sweet floral scent with the Blossom haircare bundle? This zero-waste pair is made mindfully from natural nutrient-rich botanicals that deeply nourish hair without polluting landfills and oceans. What’s not to love?
Cocoa Lotion Bar, $22
The superhero of skincare, this all-in-one coconut lotion bar is a gift your friend didn’t know they needed. The multitasking wizard is made up of natural ingredients that get to work on hands, feet, lips, elbows, scars, and anywhere that craves a little TLC.
For the whole family
Honeysticks Watercolor Paints, $19.99
Fun for adults and kids alike, everyone can unleash their creativity with these natural watercolor paints made from food-grade ingredients. Cut up old shoeboxes or cereal boxes, and get crafty creating your own zero-waste Valentine’s Day cards and gifts.
Bath Additives Relaxation Bath Salts, $15.99
Moms and Dads everywhere could do with a moment of peace. Invite relaxation with Bath Additives’ unique blend of Epsom salts, therapeutic essential oils, and lavender and chamomile flowers. No tub? No problem! Sprinkle the salts in the corner of your shower for a spa-like escape.
Sundream Coffee Recycled Throw, $150
For a gift the whole family can share, this sustainable and soft throw is perfect for sofa snuggles. Each throw is made of reclaimed fibers derived from 100% post-consumer materials and gets softer with each wash.
LGBTQ+ owned and empowering brands
Photo by Brian Kyed on Unsplash
Since we’re on the topic of celebrating love, and ZeroWasteStore believes that who love has no bearing on your love for the planet, it makes sense to spotlight some LGBTQ+ owned and empowering sustainable brands.
Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet, an LGBTQ+-owned brand, is committed to crafting personal care products that are as gentle on your skin and the environment. Each month donate to an organization, prioritizing small, mutual-aid, BIPOC- and queer-led organizations.
Conscious Step
This LGBTQ+-owned company creates socks with a purpose. From LGBTQ+ rights to environmental conservation, each pair of socks contributes to a specific cause.
Tomboyx
Founded by a queer couple, Tomboyx designs inclusive and comfortable underwear for all body types and gender identities. They’re a B-corp organization, using sustainable materials designed to last.
Conclusion: Celebrating love of every kind
Okay, maybe we can get on board with Valentine’s Day after all – it just needed a little re-brand! With these 10 gift ideas, we hope you’ve found something that fits your love.
Because, let’s face it, traditional gifts like plastic-packaged chocolates and wasteful cards are losing their charm. It’s time to celebrate the love of all kinds, with conscious and sustainable choices.
Love for the planet, love for each other – here’s to a Valentine’s that’s as sustainable and diverse as the love we share!
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