Valentine’s Day is a special time of the year to shower your beloved with affection. It’s a day to celebrate love, but it also serves as a reminder of the environmental impact of traditional gift-giving, such as sending store-bought cards, flowers or chocolates. This is why we want to discuss sustainable date ideas and go over romantic outings that won’t cost the earth.

The Real Cost of Valentine’s Day

Waste related to the season goes beyond plastic-wrapped candies, unsustainable flower imports and excessive frills and packaging. These highly consumeristic acts of love also contribute to pollution and resource depletion.

Every February 14, CO2 emissions increase by 9 million kilograms on this single day alone. Not to mention, the millions of cards purchased every year equates to millions of trees cut down to create them. The bouquet-giving industry is also not as rosy as it seems, having to travel thousands of miles to deliver freshly cut flowers from the greenhouse to your home.

But here’s the good news — you don’t have to give up on Valentine’s Day altogether just to reduce your environmental impact. 

Sustainable Activities for a Romantic Evening

Here are 10 creative, sustainable date ideas for couples who are earth-conscious.

1. Cook a Romantic Dinner

There’s nothing more intimate than cooking for a loved one. Instead of dining at a fancy restaurant and contributing as much as 8 kilograms of carbon dioxide per meal, why not visit the nearest farmers’ market for fresh, seasonal produce? Not only does this make for an excellent day-to-night date, but you’re also supporting local farmers and decreasing the cost of transportation needed for imported goods.

Bonus points if you choose to prepare plant-based or organic meals. These options typically have a lower environmental impact. 

2. Bake Some Homemade Desserts

If you’re a fan of sweet treats, bake something together with your beau. Store-bought desserts come with excessive plastic packaging — which only gets thrown out. Whether you’re making cookies, cakes or brownies, baking is a fun and budget-friendly way to spend time with your beloved. Plus, you can pack your homemade desserts in reusable containers, reducing waste. 

3. Create an At-Home Movie Nook

Grab a blanket, dim the lights and pick a couple of your favorite films. This romantic night in makes for a more eco-friendly alternative than going to the cinemas and coming home with tickets, snacks and packaging waste. You can transform your living space into a warm and intimate movie nook with a few LED lights — LED bulbs feature no toxic elements and are about 80% more energy efficient than traditional lighting options.

4. Find the Perfect Stargazing Spot

Stargazing sits among the most romantic and eco-friendly outings — it doesn’t require anything more than a clear night sky and a comfortable blanket. Head to an open field, ideally far from city lights, to enjoy the celestial display. Stargazing is an entirely sustainable and environmentally friendly date idea allowing you to connect with your partner and nature.

5. Go on a Picnic

Pack food in reusable containers, bring utensils and opt for cloth napkins to make it a sustainable dining option. Visit your local farmers’ market for seasonal produce or prepare homemade sandwiches and snacks.

A picnic allows you to enjoy the outdoors, while reducing food waste by using leftovers or ingredients in the fridge. It’s simple, sustainable and super romantic. If your February is a little more frosty and the outdoors isn’t for you, consider having a picnic in your sunroom or on a carpet in another room of your home.

6. Grow Your Own Blooms

Flowers are a classic romantic gesture, but store-bought bouquets often have a hefty carbon footprint you’d rather avoid. The U.S. imports most commercial flowers from Colombia and Ecuador, producing an estimated 260,000 metric tons of CO2. To counter this, why not grow your flowers instead? Planting a garden of flowers for your loved one is a more intentional way to demonstrate your love. Store-bought flowers can easily be purchased, but grown flowers take more time, effort and patience. 

If you don’t have enough lawn space for a garden, try planting some wildflowers in pots. If short of time, you could also explore seasonal blooms at your local garden center to prevent the imported floral industry’s carbon footprint from increasing. 

7. Try Local Barhopping

Going out for drinks can be an exciting way to celebrate love and the planet without contributing to excessive waste. Explore the local scene and look for spots using organic ingredients. Consider going to local distilleries or businesses that use sustainable packaging, such as reusable glasses and stainless steel or biodegradable straws.

Trying new places, while supporting businesses aligning with your values, makes for a truly meaningful date. You could even turn it into a little scavenger hunt where you and your partner one-up each other by discovering eco-conscious bars around the city. 

8. Have a Relaxing Spa Day

Spa days are an excellent way to relax and recharge. However, many spas rely on wasteful single-use products and plastic packaging. Experts project 37 million metric tons of plastic will enter the ocean annually by 2040. To make your spa day more sustainable, book a session at a natural or organic plastic-free spa using eco-friendly products, like biodegradable scrubs and chemical-free lotion.

If visiting a spa isn’t in the cards, you can still enjoy a relaxing DIY spa day at home with natural face masks, homemade sugar body scrubs and soothing essential oils. It’s a simple, budget-friendly romantic idea to care for the planet, while caring for yourself.

9. Go on a Green Adventure

Outdoor adventures are an excellent way to experience nature and minimize environmental impact. Whether you go hiking, biking, rock climbing or explore a nature reserve, there are plenty of sustainable activities to enjoy a romantic outdoor excursion. These activities require little to no resources and allow you to enjoy the beauty of nature, while minimizing your carbon footprint.

For an even more sustainable twist, consider biking or walking to your adventure spot instead of driving. Biking reduces 84% of carbon emissions compared to other forms of transportation. This will cut down on emissions and make the experience feel even more connected to nature.

10. Explore Sustainable Gift Options

If your love language is gift-giving and you can’t help but purchase something for your significant other, then exploring alternative options is the solution. Instead of buying huge teddy bears or other expensive things, consider handmade crafts, locally sourced products or investing in experiences that do not require physical items.

Eco-friendly gifts could include reusable shopping bags, sustainable fashion or even a donation to an environmental charity in your partner’s name. You could also give new life to a previously owned product by shopping at a local vintage or second-hand store. These thoughtful and personal gifts align perfectly with the spirit of an earth-loving relationship. 

Love the Earth, Love Each Other

Valentine’s Day goes beyond chocolates and roses. A sustainable celebration is about showing your love and appreciation for each other while keeping the planet in mind. These budget- and environmentally-friendly date ideas will help make your Valentine’s Day one to genuinely reflect your values.