We’ve heard that every day is Earth day, but what about Valentine’s Day?
Is there any time that sharing meaningful gestures of love and affection are not going to brighten up moods near and far? It does just so happen to be Valentine’s Day in a heartbeat, though, and loving up others doesn’t have to mean trashing the planet.
How about opting to share in an activity with your loved ones instead of gifting the stereotypical wine, chocolate, roses and pre-written card? You will truly enjoy a home-cooked meal after a hike up a local trail (Valentine Mountain is the obvious Powell River choice).
If you still want to go for the classics, consider a BC wine, locally made chocolate (bonus points if it’s packaged in paper and foil rather than plastic), a potted plant and blank card with a personalized message from you.
Some gifts will keep giving, like a reusable mug, water bottle, to-go cutlery kit, stainless steel straw or shopping basket. These are like Valentines for planet earth, too. Other low impact gifts include gift certificates to a restaurant, movie tickets or handmade coupons for favours (a massage, a dog walk, astrology reading, for instance).
Your Valentine’s Day may be best spent offering yourself some nurturing natural gifts such as homemade bath salts stored in a mason jar, a beeswax candle, locally roasted coffee beans, or a luxurious velvet pillow stuffed with lavender. Snuggle in and read some poetry, take a bath, light some candles and watch your favourite movie for the 10th time. You could even do some self-care by cleaning out your closet, creating a little reading nook, or doing some crafting.
Kids love to be loved. Keep it simple and avoid plastic. A heart-shaped note in their lunchbox is a great start. Bakers might want to make a heart-shaped cake together, and if you’re adventurous, maybe heart-shaped pancakes are a possibility, although heart cookies might be more within reach, unless you’re going for an anatomical heart.
After treats, read a story about love, or have fun rewriting an annoying fairytale love story and making it much more realistic.
Single? Friends can be great on Valentine’s Day. Avoid the happy couples flocking to restaurants by hosting a potluck, bonfire or movie marathon at your house. If you’re looking to meet someone, you could all chat about the qualities of that special person you envision. Make a journal entry about it after as a way to remind yourself of what you’re looking for. Heck, maybe even create a profile for a dating site, if you’re inspired.
Creating a collage can also be a creative way to think about all the kinds of love you want to experience in your life.
All these zero waste approaches to finding love happen to be basically free, too. It also just so happens that caring for the planet can be a pretty appealing quality, and might catch the attention of your next beloved.
Let’s Talk Trash is qathet Regional District’s waste-reduction education program.
