Date Ideas for a Green Valentine’s

If you are celebrating Valentine’s Day, it is time to make sure you have your plans secured. Whether you prefer to go out or want to stay in, there are plenty of options to have a Valentine’s Day that shows love for your partner and love for the planet.

Spending the day or evening at home to celebrate Valentine’s can be one of the most sustainable choices and it doesn’t mean it won’t be special just because you are home. A themed night built around something specific, such as a shared memory or a place you both love but cannot visit right now adds structure and encourages your creativity. Cooking themed foods, watching a movie set in that location or listening to music from that time, and even pulling out photos connected to your memories turns the evening into a multi-sensory experience. Using what is already available keeps the focus on creativity rather than consumption.

Instead of going out for a meal, preparing food together with ingredients on hand or purchased locally reduces waste while creating a sense of collaboration. Some couples find cooking together fun and intimate.  If the idea of cooking with your spouse elicits feelings of annoyance instead of romance, you can instead divide and conquer. One spouse focusing on preparing the meal while the other sets up the a warm, inviting environment. Soft lighting and playing romantic music help the evening feel distinct from ordinary nights without requiring overconsumption.

Another option is to plan an evening that prioritizes rest and connection. Running a bath, taking turns giving each other hand or foot massages, or simply sitting together under blankets while listening to music or watching a calm movie are all comforting things that can help give you a date night that revitalizes you both. Try to use items you already own which will help keep the experience low waste and low cost while focusing on care and relaxation.

If you do want to get out of the house for Valentine’s while keeping it ecofriendly, consider exploring thrift stores or vintage shops together. Choosing secondhand items supports reuse, reduces demand for new production. Limiting purchases to one item for each person, or even one shared item for the home, keeps the focus on discovery rather than consumption.

Stargazing can be a low cost and cozy activity. Couples can dress warmly, prepare blankets, and use online guides or library resources to identify constellations. This activity relies on the beauty of nature so no need to purchase extra décor or single-use supplies. This does rely on keeping a close eye on the weather. Since our area is slated to have rain on Saturday and Sunday, this date night may be better planned for this Friday.

Another way to make Valentine’s Day feel intentional and ecofriendly is to attend local events that offer shared experiences, creativity, and learning. Couples who enjoy writing and reflection may consider a poetry workshop available Saturday, February 14th 10 am to 12 pm at the Creative Arts Guild. The workshop is designed to cover the essentials of poetry and provides time for personal feedback. Participants do not need to write about love, but it can be a lovely way to honor each other. Tickets are $35 per person, and the workshop encourages shared learning while using minimal materials, making it an ecofriendly activity. Full details and registration information are available at creativeartsguild.org.

Another hands-on option is the Love in a Jar Valentine Terrarium workshop at The Chattery on Friday, February 13th from 6 pm to 8 pm. Tickets are $81.88 per person. Participants receive all materials needed to build a small living terrarium and can take it home as a keepsake. Working together to create a miniature ecosystem allows couples to share ideas and enjoy an activity that does not rely on disposable items. More information and ticket registration can be found at thechattery.org

Attending either of these events or planning your own activities offer opportunities for connection, conversation, and creativity without creating needless waste this Valentine’s Day. Celebrate your love without harming the planet.  

     Amy Hartline is the recycling and education program coordinator for the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority. Have a recycling question? Contact her at (706) 278-5001 or ahartline@dwswa.org.