Valentine’s Day is for celebrating love, so why not show your love for the planet at the same time? This special day can have a surprisingly high environmental impact with air freighted flowers, chocolate and ‘smellies’ made with palm oil, and items wrapped in plastic. Here are our suggestions on how to show the love this Valentine’s…
Valentine’s Day ideas that don’t cost the Earth
Whether it’s ‘making your own’ or just ‘making time’, there are many ways to show you care.
Prepare a favourite meal, breakfast in bed or make your own sweet treats.
Pen a romantic note (if you are not feeling poetic you can search the internet for ‘romantic verse’ and choose a few lines of poetry that appeal) then place your poetic missive somewhere to be discovered, rather than buying a traditional card.
FLOWERS
If you are buying fresh-cut flowers at this time of year they will almost certainly have been imported. Choosing a planter with local seasonal bulbs is a better alternative to fresh-cut flowers; this one is available from Alresford’s Wildbunch florist. These can be planted out once they have bloomed and could bring joy year after year.
Alternatively, a herb planter for the patio or windowsill can make a thoughtful and useful gift, like these available from Etsy.
If you opt for fresh flowers, our local florist uses locally obtained foliage where possible. There are also online florists offering blooms from certified sustainable sources and eco-wrapping.
Wildbunch Florist
Their foliage is foraged, not flown…and locally sourced where possible! Visit wildbunchflorists.co.uk to shop online or visit them at 14 West Street.
The Hiden Collective
Bouquets of fresh or dried flowers packaged in eco-wrapping made with biodegradable hydrating fabric, reused hessian coffee bags and recycled Kraft paper.
Ethical bouquets of fresh flowers are certified by Rainforest Alliance and Florverde Sustainable Flowers. Visit The Hiden Collective.
Bloom & Wild
Offer ‘letterbox’ flowers and plants which are delivered through your door in cardboard boxes rather than plastic wrapping. Visit Bloom & Wild.
GIFTS
Pallets & Things
Beautiful rustic wooden hearts, made locally from reclaimed materials and finished with a wax blend. Fitted with D rings for easy hanging.
Visit Pallets & Things.
Something Sweet
If you are after something sweet, Tony’s Chocolonely is free trade chocolate which is also free from palm oil, comes in recyclable packaging without plastic, features wonderful flavours and is stocked by Co-op. You can design your own wrapper to personalise your gift!
Visit Tony’s Chocolonely.
The Alresford Gift Shop
The Alresford Gift Shop stocks ‘naked’ cards and gifts including a range of candles sourced from sustainable local and UK companies.
Find these online or at 10 West Street.
Louisa Slade
Specialises in repurposing jewellery, reusing stones and metals – reducing the need for new or unethically mined materials which have a huge carbon footprint.
Enquiries online and at 3 Bakehouse Yard.
Face Matters Skin Studio
Offer a range of products made from natural and certified organic plant extracts, many of which are fair trade and sourced from small farms and producers.
Available online or at Wildbunch gift shop, 14 West Street.
House of Gallet
High quality nearly-new designer items which offer longevity. Recycling fashion and being kind to the planet! Bags, belts, jewellery and scarves all make fantastic gifts.
Online and at 19 Broad Street.
Little Green Van
Refill chocolate buttons and nuts with zero packaging, planet friendly soaps and smellies, soap dishes and more!
Find the Little Green Van at the Thursday market on Broad Street on the 3rd or 10th February.
The Hampshire Bee Co.
Raw honey and lip balms made with beeswax from rescued bees, relocated from problem nests and swarms. Bees kept on farmland at Old Alresford.
Buy directly, contact details online.
The Naked Grape
Find a selection of over 50 organic and vegan wines in Naked Grape’s range, or grab an extra special bottle of locally produced fizz.
Shop at 20 West Street or look online.