A person wrapping an Eco-friendly Valentine's Day gift in white paper with red hearts and tying a red ribbon

Eco-Friendly Valentine's Day Gifts to Try this Year

Valentine's Day is approaching quickly, and if you're looking for a gift, Shaka Love has you covered! Skip the usual drugstore stuff that ends up in the trash and find some cool, eco-friendly ways to show someone you care. Whether you're celebrating with a partner or showing yourself some self-appreciation and love, these eco-friendly Valentine's Day gift ideas are great.


Some Consumption Facts About Valentine's Day

Did you know that around a billion valentines are sent worldwide each year? That makes it the second-biggest card-sending holiday after Christmas. In fact, valentines make up a quarter of all the holiday cards we send each year.

Believe it or not, stats from American Greetings Corporation confirm that over 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold. Valentine's Day is also the biggest day for buying flowers, especially red roses. It's also a popular day to get engaged, with an estimated 10% of engagements happening on February 14th. Last year, over 60% of people planned to buy at least one Valentine.

All this Valentine's Day stuff can really add up and affect the environment. Just think, if you laid all those billion valentines end to end, they'd wrap around the world five times! That's a lot of trees used for cards.


The Best Eco-Friendly Valentine's Day Gifts of 2025

Sustainable Flowers

A woman seen from behind, holding a bouquet of sustainable flowers

Flowers are a classic Valentine's Day gift, but they aren't always the most eco-friendly choice. Many are grown with pesticides and artificial fertilizers, and they travel long distances to reach stores, which creates pollution. Fortunately, you can still give flowers in an eco-friendly way.

One option is to buy local and organic. Look for florists near you who get their flowers from sustainable sources, try to find bouquets that are made with flowers grown organically, or at least without those nasty pesticides and fertilizers.

Another idea is to give a potted plant instead of cut flowers. Plants such as ivy, orchids, or peace lilies can be a beautiful eco-friendly Valentine's Day gift that lasts a lot longer. Plus, they usually don't need as much water or care as cut flowers do.


Cabana Red & White Striped Turkish Towel

A beach lover holding a Cabana red and white Turkish towel by Shaka Love on a beach with rocky cliffs and blue water in the background

This Cabana red and white striped Turkish Towel is a fantastic gift because it's useful, looks good, and has a cool history. If you've ever been to Turkey, you know how popular Turkish towels are for relaxing at the beach or after a bath. And now, they're becoming more and more popular here in America, fitting right in with our love for beaches and travel.

Cabana Turkish towel can be used for just about anything – beach trips, swimming, spa days, yoga, bath time, the gym, taking care of a baby, decorating your home, as a stylish accessory, or even when you're traveling. 

The fact that it's made in an eco-friendly way makes it even more special, showing you weren't just grabbing something last-minute – you actually put some thought into a gift that matters.


Surfboard Rack

A stylish and functional surfboard rack, keeping your boards organized and protected

Since we have so many surfers in our community, we wanted to share a gift idea that combines their passion for riding waves with a commitment to the environment. 

After a great surf session, every surfer needs a safe and reliable place to store their board. Look for surfboard racks made from sustainable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, or recycled plastics. These racks not only keep the board secure but also act as a stylish display piece. 

Choosing a rack made from eco-friendly materials shows your surfing Valentine that you understand and support their passion for the ocean and their dedication to protecting it.


Sustainable Skincare Products

A curated collection of natural bathroom products with a focus on eco-friendly materials

If your Valentine loves makeup and skincare, look for brands that offer refills or support small businesses that use natural ingredients and sustainable packaging, remember to pair these with reusable products to replace those wasteful makeup wipes.

Disposable wipes are full of chemicals, rarely break down, and contribute to a massive amount of waste each year. Eco-friendly reusable cotton pads are a great eco-friendly alternative that saves money, protects the planet, and is kinder to her skin.


Soaps & Body Care

A hand holding a round soap bar above a stack of three other soap bars in different colors

Wellness products are always a welcome Valentine's Day gift. Natural, handmade, and organic items are generally gentler, without harsh chemicals and preservatives, making them a thoughtful alternative to store-bought brands.

You can't go wrong with natural, cruelty-free soaps and body care – a lovely eco-friendly gift for him or her, often supporting small, ethical businesses. Local handmade products ensure all-natural ingredients and often outperform mass-produced items filled with unnatural additives.

For someone exploring natural products, a selection of essential oils or natural plants and herbs is ideal. You can personalize the selection to their preferences or research essential oil properties to choose something beneficial for them.


Eco-Friendly Valentine's on a Budget

For many, actions speak louder than presents. What really makes them feel loved and special is when you do something for them, and the fact that you're trying to be eco-friendly just makes it even better.

 

- Cook a Romantic Dinner

Eco-Friendly Valentine's on a Budget - A romantic dinner setting with candles, flowers, and a delicious-looking meal

Instead of ordering takeout, cook your partner's favorite meal at home – a classic way to show you care on Valentine's Day! Takeout containers are often plastic and hard to recycle or break down. 

For an even more personal touch, enjoy a romantic and private candlelit dinner where you have more control over the atmosphere and the menu. To keep things eco-friendly, try using mostly plants or ingredients from local farms, which will help reduce your impact on the environment.


- Go Reusable to Reduce Waste 

A person writing the words Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in black ink on a white card

Valentine's Day often brings a lot of disposable items from decorations to plastic gift wraps and balloons meant for single use. Instead of buying new, consider switching to reusable or upcycled alternatives.

If hosting a Valentine's dinner, think about using reusable straws, plates, cups, and napkins avoid single-use plastic, and choose compostable or reusable alternatives to reduce your environmental impact.

For gift wrapping, swap out the glossy plastic for fabric, a reusable tote bag, or even an old map or newspaper because this reduces waste and adds a personal touch.

When decorating, opt for items you can reuse year after year, such as string lights, fabric bunting, and cloth heart garlands. These can be used for multiple occasions, giving your space a warm and festive feel.


- Get Crafty and Make a Gift 

White beaded envelope ornaments with red heart embellishments hanging from a display

If you enjoy making things, create something for your valentine instead of buying something new. It could be anything you know how to do and that they'll appreciate – a knitted item, a drawing, a playlist of songs, their favorite treats... the possibilities are endless.


- Outdoor Adventure with Your Valentine

A couple pointing at a location on a large paper map, planning a trip on Valentine's Day 2025

Take a unique hike or walk in nature since it's an inexpensive, eco-friendly, and healthy option that you can enjoy almost anywhere. Or, give the gift of a morning, afternoon, or early evening paddleboarding with that special someone. Paddleboarding is a fantastic activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities, and it gets you out on the water for a healthy dose of sunshine and Vitamin Sea. 


Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you've found some inspiration here for making this Valentine's Day, or any special occasion, extra memorable and eco-friendly.

Ready to get creative and shop sustainably this Valentine's Day? Wishing you a wonderful day filled with love and celebration.


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