Sustainable Valentine’s Day
People often think about Valentine’s Day as a holiday to celebrate with the people you love, whether that’s romantically or platonically. This year, we invite you to consider expanding your affection to include our planet. Here are a few ideas on how you can do this and have a sustainable Valentine’s Day.
Dates and Activities
Greenville and the surrounding areas have some great options if you want to get outside for Valentine’s Day. Going for a picnic in one of our city’s parks or going for a stroll along the river are both wonderful things to do with friends or a romantic partner.
If it turns out the weather isn’t fantastic for a day outdoors, there are several restaurants in Downtown Greenville, many of which are local and source produce from local farmers. If museums are more your style, the Greenville Museum of Art is free, and we have several historical museums in town as well.
Are you looking for some middle ground? Consider visiting a farm or farmer’s market. While many are outdoors in some capacity, many have portions that are indoor spaces you can enjoy while supporting local businesses.
Chocolate and Sweets
I’ll be honest, chocolate isn’t exactly the most sustainable food. That being said, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying it in moderation. Especially if that chocolate is coming from a company known for sustainable practices like Dr. Bronner’s. Yes, the same Dr. Bronner’s that makes sustainable soaps. I promise you’d never guess by the taste of the chocolate. An additional option, if you’re willing to think a little outside the box, is hot chocolate from a sustainable company.
However, if you find yourself in a hurry and can’t order your chocolate online, there are still options. Lindt has vegan chocolate that you can find almost anywhere, including our local Harris Teeter. In addition to this option, you could also check local bakeries for special Valentine treats.
Flowers
Flowers is a tricky subject. Most cut flowers in the US are imported from South America making them highly impactful on the environment. If you have a garden with flowers, consider picking some from there. If not, the closest florist that sells flowers from a local farm is in Lillington, NC.
Another option is to give your Valentine a flowering plant from a local nursery. That way, instead of watching the flowers wither away, they can enjoy them for years to come!
Gifts for Self-Care
And finally, we have some gifts that are a little outside of the box to help your Valentine indulge in some self-care. One way to do this is by giving a spa day or a gift card to a local spa. If leaving the home for a spa treatment isn’t appealing, bring the spa home! LUSH is a fantastic brand that works to make their products sustainable and offers everything from bath bombs to massage bars.
If that seems a little extravagant, a few simple gifts that could bring the same relaxation are teas, soy candles, or aromatherapy kits.
Is your mind going on more sustainable Valentine’s Day ideas? Share them with us! We’d love to spread the word. And whether you’re spending the day with loved ones or loving yourself, we hope you have a fantastic Valentine’s Day.