14 Ways to Love the Planet on Valentine’s Day
We’re all accustomed to celebrating people we adore in February, but what if you made the earth your sweetheart? We’ve put together a list of ideas to make your holiday a little greener. Choose a few or complete them all. You’ll be the most eco-friendly cupid ever!
1. Take a long walk on the beach (or trail, or sidewalk) with your favorite person, and bring along a trash bag. Pick up any litter you see along the way. Holding hands and whispering sweet nothings is encouraged, but not required.
2. Make a reservation at a farm to table restaurant, or stop at your local farmer’s market to pick up ingredients for a sustainable meal at home. Don’t forget the candles!
3. Skip the bouquet of flowers and buy your loved one a potted plant instead. Indoor plants have more benefits than you would think!
4. It’s almost spring here in Georgia, so why stop at indoor options? Swing by your local nursery and select something for the pollinators in your life.
5. Get crafty and make a homemade valentine. Scrap paper, magazines, cool fonts or comics from the newspaper…the sky’s the limit!
6. Send a sweet email or digital card to your long-distance friends and family members.
7. Yearning for another way to show your appreciation? How about using a wildflower seed envelope?
8. Have an artist’s night in and try one of these upcycled Valentine’s Day crafts.
9. Head to your favorite thrift or antique store for a unique, earth-friendly gift.
10. Skip the store-bought chocolates and bake something at home. Packaging-free, made with love….what could be more delicious?
11. Leave a note of appreciation for your waste and recycling collectors.
12. Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while and remind them how much you care for them.
13. Start a new tradition that will last until next February: repurpose a Mason jar or decorate a large tin can. Throughout the year, every time you experience a special moment or memory with a loved one (a special date, an inside joke, a time they made you smile), write it down on a piece of paper, fold it, and put it inside. Read them to each other on Valentine’s Day 2024.
14. Last but not least, spread the word. Share these ideas with your friends and neighbors—everything’s better when you share the love!