Header photo by Jen Fela
Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day — without all the plastic. While we’re all for a holiday celebrating love, we’re not in love with the rise of single-use plastic and consumerism that has almost come to define Valentine’s Day. With all the candy wrappers and plastic packaging for flowers, synthetic stuffed animals, and other wasteful gifts that pile up on this holiday alone, many people are looking for ways to celebrate love that’s better for people and our Earth.
As it turns out, there are plenty of plastic-free gift ideas and ways to celebrate love that do not compromise on creativity or thoughtfulness. Whether it’s for a friend, partner, pet, or yourself, we are excited to share more sustainable suggestions.
Plastic-Free Gift Ideas for Any of Your Loved Ones
Here are some gift ideas for friends and loved ones that are both meaningful and sustainable:
Give experiences over things: Consider gifting an experience like a movie night at home, painting and wine night, pottery class, or even a camping trip. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can coordinate a homemade dinner along with the movie of your choice (like making heart-shaped pizzas together for Mystic Pizza night, for example). Pairing whatever experience you choose with handmade paper or even a wooden card or “coupon” for a fun experience can be the icing on the cake.
Bake homemade goodies: Bake treats like brownies, cinnamon rolls, cookies, or cupcakes, and wrap them in reusable fabric or parchment paper. You can also gift them in a reusable metal tin or large glass jar instead of single-use aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Serve your goodies on a reusable ceramic, glass, or metal platter.
Gift (or make your own) handmade jewelry: Support artists by buying handmade, sustainable jewelry made from natural materials like metals, stones, or wood that are ethically sourced. You can find plastic-free pieces from artisans on platforms like Etsy or at local craft markets. If you’re crafty, doing your own metal stamping and jewelry crafting will allow you to make customized bracelets and rings—without using plastic. Wrap jewelry in cotton or linen cloth scraps made from sample fabrics or upcycled clothing you no longer wear, and tie them into bags with natural twine.
Make jars of homemade self-care supplies or tasty foods: You can make small jars of homemade granola, honey, or jam, or take it to the next level by making your own simple skincare supplies using natural ingredients like aloe, beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter. Reuse glass jars, stainless steel, or tin containers you already have on hand, or find these at low cost at secondhand or swap shops to store your goodies.
Upcycled or vintage items: Instead of buying new gifts, why not find an “already loved” secondhand or vintage item to give instead? Whether it’s a piece of artwork or a unique jewelry holder, these items carry their own character and history and are usually not packaged in plastic packaging. And you can tell your friend the story of how you found it and thought of them.
Donate in honor of a loved one: A donation to an important cause is a great way to show you care. You can donate to Plastic Pollution Coalition in honor of a loved one and they’ll receive an email letting them know you did.
Plastic-Free Gifts for the Green Thumb
Flowers are a classic Valentine’s Day gift, but most store-bought bouquets come with multiple toxic burdens—unless locally and organically grown—they are often grown with pesticides to be shipped long distances and sold wrapped in plastic. Look for sustainably sourced flowers that have minimal packaging, or better yet, choose a plant (or propagate your own) that can be kept and grown by your loved one. Some choices include:
Foraging for wildflowers: If in season, and you have a backyard that grows wildflowers or live near an area where you can pick a bundle legally, wildflowers can be a lovely way to show someone you were thinking of them.
Locally and organically grown flowers: If you opt for a fresh flower bouquet, try to scope things out ahead of time and find a local flower farm that uses sustainable, pesticide-free growing practices. They’re less likely to come wrapped in plastic and often have biodegradable packaging—like banana leaves or paper.
Potted plants: Cacti, herbs, or succulents can last for years (if cared for properly) and won’t be thrown away after a week or so, unlike fresh flowers.
Propagate: If you have your own plants and can propagate them, giving a custom propagation (or two) planted in a pot is a thoughtful gift. Most of your friends will love this one, especially if you make a fun custom care “manual” for their new plant friend.
Plastic-Free Gifts for Your Pets
Who says pets can’t have a little fun too? They’re often the ones who give us the most love day-to-day. If you’re single or just want to make sure your furry friend feels a little extra love around the holiday, we’ve got you covered.
Eco-friendly toys + handmade gifts: Look for toys made from natural materials like hemp, organic cotton, or wool. Some brands sell chew toys made from plant-based materials like coffee wood. You can also make pet toys from items you already have, like old cotton t-shirts braided into ropes for dogs or cardboard boxes for a cat’s playhouse. If your pet doesn’t mind wearing accessories, you could make or buy a handmade plastic-free fabric bandana for them.
Homemade treats: Make your own healthy pet treats using natural ingredients that are not packaged in plastic. You can find simple recipes online that require things like peanut butter, pumpkin, and oats. You can even make cupcakes for your pet (like dog-friendly peanut butter pupcakes).
Nature walk or hike: Take your pet for a special stroll in the park or go on a nature hike together and pack a picnic for both of you. If you live near a pet-friendly beach or park, plan an outing to let your pet socialize while getting outside.
Plastic-Free Gifts for Your Sweetheart
Create a love jar: A “love jar” is inexpensive, yet packs an emotional punch (and is plastic-free)! This can be a glass jar filled with small notes folded up on strips of paper where you write short love notes, poems, or future date ideas on recycled paper. When you’re feeling loving, write them down, fold them up, and put them in the jar. This can also simply be a compliment jar, where you fill it with all of your favorite things about that person and your memories together.
DIY Valentine’s Day card: Instead of buying a card with plastic finishes or embellishments, why not make your own out of sustainable materials? You can use recycled paper, old magazines, cardboard, fabric scraps, pressed flowers, or even wood to create something that feels truly customized to your partner.
Eco-friendly candles: Candles set the romantic lighting mood with low lighting, but many conventional candles are made with petroleum-based paraffin wax and come in plastic packaging. Opt for candles made from beeswax, plant-based materials, or soy wax that are scented with natural oils. These are biodegradable and often come in glass or metal containers that can be reused or truly recycled.
Plastic-free dinner date: Restaurants are always crowded on Valentine’s Day, so why not plan a special one-on-one dinner for your significant other? You can make it plastic-free by:
- Cooking at home: Choose local, organic ingredients to prepare a home-cooked meal. Cooking together can also be a fun experience, especially if you offer to make your partner’s favorite dish.
- Choosing reusable dinnerware: You can always pack up your dinner and enjoy the sunset at a local park. If you’re planning a romantic picnic, avoid single-use plates, cups, and utensils. Go for reusable options like bamboo or ceramic plates, cloth napkins, and stainless steel cutlery and drink bottles.
Decorating with edible or dried flowers: Instead of buying fresh flowers, create an edible flower garnish or a bouquet made of dried flowers. Twine and greenery (e.g., a eucalyptus sprig) is a nice touch, or you can buy a few individual roses that aren’t packaged in plastic and spread the petals.
Plastic-Free Ways to Show Love to People & the Planet
This Valentine’s Day, you can choose to celebrate love by gifting sustainably without plastic. Want to make a difference all year round? Take the pledge to refuse single-use plastic. You can also donate to Plastic Pollution Coalition to show some love to our team and help support the work we do every day toward a better world for us all.
