5 Sustainable Gifts for Valentine’s Day

With valentine’s day just around the corner, we’re here to help you get prepared.

Why not show your love for the environment (as well as the one you love) with our top 5 sustainable valentines’ gifts? From handmade treasures to sustainably recognised products, we have a great list of gift ideas that are guaranteed to put a smile on your special someone’s face.

1. Handmade Cards

Get creative this year and design a personalised card for your special someone. To make it your own, you could add photos and use recyclable materials from old valentines’ cards. Spending time on a handmade card not only shows that you have put extra care and thought into your gift, but is guaranteed to have even the least of sentimental people stashing the card away in a memory box. Plus, by using recyclable paper and other second-hand materials, you’re also helping to save the planet too!

2. Eco-Friendly Candles

Gifting candles is a great way to show your love and appreciation. Why not gift an eco-friendly candle and then use it during a romantic valentine’s candle lit dinner? Plus, if you feel like getting extra creative, you could even make your own candle, either for them or together as part of a valentine’s day date. Companies such as Scupld and Cosy Owl sell candle making kits online from as little as £20.

Companies that offer eco-friendly candles often use sustainably sourced and environmentally friendly materials too. With vegan-friendly formulas, this could be a perfect gift for animal lovers or those who enjoy home fragrances (be sure to check the products used before you buy!). With multiple fragrance options too, you can choose your partners favourite scents and either opt for a single or double candle-making kit, depending on your budget.

3. Jewellery

If your valentine is a jewellery lover, then why not treat them to some handmade jewellery made by yours truly? Why not recycle some old jewellery that you no longer wear to create matching couples’ bracelets, or even keyrings? If you’d prefer to shop online there are plenty of eco-friendly brands that sell all kinds of sustainably sourced jewellery. For example, Wild Fawn is a brand created in 2015 with a mission to create the world’s most ethical and transparent jewellery brand. Their jewellery is made by using recycled and traceable sterling silver, solid 9ct cold and responsibly sourced gemstones. They also sell personalised jewellery where you can engrave your own personal message – a great idea to show just how much you love your special someone.

Alternatively, if you’re planning to pop the big question this valentine’s day, there are also plenty of jewellery sellers who use ethically sourced diamonds. For example, Brilliant Earth is a jewellery company that promises to only use diamonds selected from ethical and environmentally responsible origins. That’s one extra thing to boast about when explaining why you chose that specific ring for your partner!

4. House Plants

House plants are a great gift for loved ones. Not only do they live for years (meaning your special someone will get lots of value out of it), but they make for great decorations too. Plus, each year that goes by will be a reminder of your thoughtful present.

Some valentines-inspired plants include miniature roses, the jasmine plant and the lily of the valley flower. Roses are a traditional sign of love and make for beautiful houseplants if given plenty of sunlight. The jasmine plant is also known for its sweet scent and aphrodisiac ability. Lastly, the lily of the valley in Victorian language translates to ‘the return of happiness’, making it the perfect symbol of happiness for both you and your special someone.

5. Sustainable Perfumes

Perfumes make amazing presents for both partners and many well-known perfumers offer sustainable and eco-friendly options too. From high-end to high-street, some options include Giorgio Armani’s ‘My Way’, with their offering of refillable and natural ingredients, Mugler’s ‘Alien’ with its refillable bottle (meaning you can top up when you’re low without purchasing more packaging), the Body Shop fragrances with their 93% natural origin ingredients and Lush perfumes offering vegan formulas and natural ingredients in their sprays, such as pure essential oils.

6. An Adventure Somewhere Abroad

Lastly, if you can, why not treat your special someone to a sustainable break abroad? Some romantic yet sustainable destinations include Austria’s Landlust, an extensive fruit and orchard vineyard with access to farmhouse accommodation and stunning nature reserves. Or how about France’s Rochefort Ocean? It’s a dreamy seaside location with family friendly beaches, romantic walks and authentic villages to explore. Not forgetting the Mohicans Treehouse resort in Ohio (a little further afield, we appreciate) that boasts a family-owned treehouse resort with lavish sustainable cabins with prices from as little as £95 per night – this does not include flights!

Don’t forget, if you’re heading abroad make sure you check our range of travel insurance policies as soon as you book your adventure. Our travel insurance protection has been specifically designed to be simple and straightforward. Plus, at Alpha, our mission is to promote sustainable tourism, helping our customers to travel more sustainably and make more planet-friendly decisions.

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