After Christmas, Valentine's Day is one of the biggest waste producing
days of the year. Over a billion cards get posted and untold amounts of
unwanted, unloved and un-inspired tat gets presented in pink and red wrapping.
Free yourself from the consumer-driven Valentine's Day and instead celebrate
it with a bit of upcycled thinking and some crafty ideas. We've picked five of
our green gift ideas to help you spread the love.
1. Happy memories
Gather up all the photos, cinema tickets, love notes and that beer mat from
your first date and glue your way to a collage of love.
2. The way to the heart is through the stomach.
Bake their favourite cake, cook up their most loved dinner and if you want to
add the extra bells and whistles then almost anything can be heart shaped.
Cookies, cakes, pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, fried eggs, omelettes, pizzas,
the list goes as far as your imagination and kitchen prowess.
(Image: abeachcottage)
3. Flowers forever
Forget single wrapped red roses and bunches of flowers that will die before the
weekend hits, give the gift that keeps on giving - a packet of seeds for your
beloved to grow their own bunch, be it flowers or carrots.
4. Weekend away
If no Valentine's Day is complete without a huge romantic gesture then
forget
writing a message in the sky and whisking them away to a
secluded island. Book the
Eurostar
to Paris and walk hand in hand through the city of love. Or try Amsterdam for a
less obvious trip.
5. Get your craft on
If you're the kind of lover that likes to show your love in glue and glitter
then the possibilities are endless. And you don't need a craft box full of
expensive materials either. Collect sticks for a
hanging wooden heart, turn
newspaper into heart bunting or fold your way to these
adorable origami hearts with a message of love hidden
inside.
And remember, showering together
saves water and if the night goes well then don't forget
these.
Happy Valentine's Day.
