How can Vancouverites celebrate a highly commercialized event like Valentine’s Day in a way that fits with your values? You might be surprised at how easy it is. Here are 4 eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas that will create special memories while keeping it green!
- Say it with flowers
Pamper your loved one (mother? sister? girlfriend? gal pal?) with a simple bouquet of flowers. Skip those strangely attractive but artificially dyed flowers and go with wildflowers or something she loves. Arrange the flowers in a reusable vase or find a mason jar to display the arrangement in water with a flower food packet to help keep them fresh. Elaborate bouquets are nice, but keeping it simple is beautiful. - Bake a sweet treat
Take the time to bake something special for your Valentine. Cookies, cake pops, or dipped strawberries are sweet treats that will melt any heart. Greening your Valentine’s Day by baking is both preservative and package free. Add this idea to your mental list of things that make her say “awwww”. - Eat local
Plan a Valentine’s Day dinner at home or in your neighbourhood. It might involve trying somewhere new; use apps like Yelp and Zomato for recommendations. Choose a restaurant that sources locally grown, organic ingredients such as Rocky Mountain Flatbread in Vancouver which is currently partnering up with Koko Monk Chocolates to offer a Valentine’s Day menu for the chocoholic. Walk, bike or take transit to your destination to reduce carbon emissions. - Make it recycled
Make a personalized, one-of-a-kind card from recycled materials. Wrap your home-baked treats in a box, decorated mason jar, or reusable cookie tin. Pinterest is a great resource for creative ideas using recycled materials that will spark your imagination and romantic heart.
Don’t miss out on the fun of Valentine’s Day because you think it isn’t meaningful or that it’s overdone. By keeping it simple, personal, and spending time on creating eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas that come from the heart, you can’t go wrong.
