Valentine's Day is a special occasion to show your loved ones how much you care. But unfortunately, it is also a day associated with overconsumption and waste, particularly in the form of excess packaging, flowers, and candy. These practices can have negative impacts on the environment and contribute to issues like deforestation and pollution. To minimize these effects, one can opt for eco-friendly options and gift sustainable products that can help your loved ones lead healthier and more planet-friendly lives. Furthermore, repurposed or DIY gifts can last and be cherished for years and won't add to the massive consumption and wastefulness. Here are some unique gift ideas that are both long-lasting and sustainable.
Sustainable Shopping Made Simple
One of my top possibilities to repurpose items as gifts is upcycled home decor. You can transform discarded items into beautiful home decor pieces with a bit of creativity and effort. For example, you can turn an old ladder into a bookshelf. By sanding it down and sealing it with Eco Advance Wood Siloxane Waterproofer, it can look good as new, and if you want to transform it even further, you can use one of the beautiful chalk-style paints from Country Chic Paint Eco-Friendly. This way, you can create a unique and functional bookshelf that doubles as a decorative piece to gift your loved one. You can also add hooks to the ladder's sides to hang towels, mugs, or other items.
Another idea is to use recycled glass to create candle holders. For example, you can take old wine or other glass bottles and transform them into beautiful candle holders by simply removing the labels and sanding the edges, if necessary, to smooth them down.
A different thoughtful gift, probably my favorite, is a customized photo album. You can create a personalized photo album filled with cherished memories and meaningful moments. You can use sustainable materials, such as recycled paper, to make it environmentally friendly. Try Bstorify Scrapbook Album with 100% acid-free paper, or make it even more personalized and bind together a 100% recycled paper like Hammermill. Next, you can print your pictures at a local shop and support a business in your community or print at home directly to your recycled paper and only then bind them together. Suppose you printed the pics at a local shop. In that case, you can use sustainable glue, like Onyx and Green glue stick, then decorate with colorful paper scraps, fabric scraps, or other sustainable alternatives. Next, add personal writings on your memories or heartfelt messages with Onyx and Green markers or pencils or Sprout pencils. Imagine gifting your love this beautiful, unique gift and flipping through it together, reminiscing shared memories and stories.
Another way to keep away from disposable gifts is gifting experiences. When you give the gift of an activity, such as a hike, picnic, or cooking class, you create lasting memories without generating waste. And along the way, strengthen your connection within your relationship. Cultural events are another similar and wonderful gift option. For example, you can gift your partner tickets to a local concert, play, or museum exhibit. This type of experience supports the arts and cultural heritage. In addition, it can be educational and entertaining, making it a great way to spend time with your partner. And, of course, it helps reduce waste by not relying on physical gifts. Whether it's the thrill of a concert, the excitement of a play, or the wonder of a museum exhibit, it will bring you and your loved one closer and create meaningful memories that last.
And if you are still in the market for the traditional gift of a flower bouquet. Eco-Friendly Flowers are also a sweet option. Opt for a bouquet of locally grown, in-season flowers instead of imported blooms. You can also choose flowers that are grown using sustainable methods. Or invest in a quality plant. While cut flowers have a limited lifespan, a potted plant can provide ongoing beauty, brightness, and joy for years to come. Not only do plants have aesthetic benefits, but they can also positively affect mental health and air quality. Just make sure to choose a plant suitable for your loved one's living conditions and the level of care they (or you) can provide.
Whichever way you choose to express your love, try to do it in a way that cares for your loved one and your surroundings. Your partner will surely cherish these unique and thoughtful gifts for a long time.
Inbar Shiryon is an artist and an educator. She draws inspiration from her everyday life and surroundings. Inbar also works with children in art and languages. She aspires to cultivate a sustainable way of living and to bring awareness of conscious choices to others by sharing information and leading by example.
Check out her website Inbar Shiryon Art and follow her on Inbar Shiryon Instagram.