Ethical & Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Most people associate pink and red with February 14th, but when your goal is an eco-friendly Valentine’s Day, always go with green! Learn why some conventional gifts can be toxic or unethical and find eco friendly Valentines gift ideas that are sure to please.

I’m not a big fan of Hallmark Holidays. I feel much more appreciated when my husband randomly brings me flowers from the farmers market (or in-season peonies from Trader Joe’s) than an obligatory Valentine’s Day gift.

But if you love getting or giving Valentines gifts, there are plenty of ways to make this holiday meaningful and mindful.

The Problem with Conventional Jewelry, Chocolate, and Flowers

Most of the flowers grown for Valentine’s Day come from small or distant countries with lax environmental standards. And closer to home isn’t always much better. California grown cut flowers are doused with more than 400,000 pounds of insecticides, herbicides fungicides, and other chemicals each year.

The “perfect” bloom is so sought after, some greenhouses actually use banned chemicals (think DDT-like substances) as pesticides. These chemicals pollute the air where they’re used, not to mention the lungs of the underpaid workers growing them. Then we bring them into our homes and take a big whiff every time we pass that flawless bouquet.

The film Blood Diamond raised awareness of the conflict surrounding diamond mining, but there’s still work to be done to make sure gems and precious metals are mined and made sustainably. And most importantly, your eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gift should be one where no one’s life was risked for a symbol of love.

And nearly 50 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold each year at Valentine’s Day. In the documentary, The Dark Side of Chocolate, award-winning journalist Miki Mistrati shows how children as young as 8 are being trafficked into working the Ivory Coast cocoa fields for little or no pay.

Ethical & Healthier Alternatives

You’ll find gift suggestions below, but here are some general ideas to follow when looking for more conscious options.

When it comes to foods like chocolate, the Fair Trade certification lets you know that farming families earned a fair wage for their work and that environmentally sustainable practices were used.

Now there are several options for conscious jewelry. You can also try vintage shops and consignment stores. If you’re worried about potential negative energy from a previous owner, you can cleanse the energy of a gemstone by burning sage.

And for something botanical that lives longer than a week, give a potted plant instead. Think of a stunning orchid, hardy succulents, or a lucky bamboo plant. Lilies and ivy reduce indoor air pollution and they’re extremely easy to grow. You can also visit your farmer’s market to buy sustainably grown flowers and support your local economy.

Give Greener Valentine’s Day Cards

Globally, around one billion cards are sent each year at Valentine’s Day, making it the second largest card-sending holiday to Christmas. School children pass out 20 cards or more each. But the commercialism doesn’t end with paper… there’s also candy, stickers, and other garbage-bound trinkets adorning them.

Handmade is from the heart. Use construction paper (or use the backs of colorful flyers from the mail or school) and get creative! Or let the kids have fun with these mindful Valentine’s Day coloring pages and use the results for cards or decorations.

Here are some ideas for DIY eco friendly Valentines. Or try printing our Valentine’s Day lollipop covers and pair with your child’s favorite organic lollipops.

If you prefer store-bought, choose recycled cards or cards made from plantable seed paper.

Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

After all that info on what not to do, we don’t want to leave you high and dry guessing about what to get your Valentine. Here are some of our favorite greener gift ideas.

Medical Grade Titanium Jewelry from Tini Lux

Tini Lux jewelry is perfect for anyone on your eco Valentine’s Day list. Metal allergies are a pain for people of all ages. This brand spent three years perfecting a balance of titanium and niobium metals that are non-reactive with the human body.

With tons of styles to choose from, including star sign jewelry, Tini Lux earrings are perfect for kids with newly pierced ears or for your Valentine.

Ethical Chocolates

Alter Eco makes chocolates that restore rather than deplete the environment. Their products are grown in thriving ecosystems by small-scale, fair trade farmers who are paid a fair, living wage. They also use recyclable or compostable packaging that reduces waste.

Plus their chocolate is deliciously smooth and rich. It makes the perfect eco friendly Valentines gift.

Women’s “Crop Top” Veggie Heart Organic Cotton Tee

She’ll love this ultra-soft crop tee made from organic cotton and featuring a charming veggie-heart graphic. A feel-good Valentine’s Day gift for your favorite earth lover, garden goddess, or low-tox lifestyle queen. Ethically made and effortlessly cute.

Pure Floral Essential Oils & Diffuser

Give her a gorgeous bundle gift she can use all year long. The Aria is the most elegant diffuser we’ve ever seen. You can create a spa-like ambiance in your very own home with this diffuser and Young Living’s pure plant-based essential oils. Some of our favorite Valentine’s Day essential oils are Candy Hearts, Geranium, Jasmine, and the most pure Rose oil.

Naturepedic 2-in-1 Organic Luxury Adjustable Pillow

While most pillows are filled with some not-so-dreamy chemicals, the Naturepedic 2-in-1 Organic Luxury Adjustable Pillow only uses GOTS-certified organic, MADE SAFE certified nontoxic materials such as organic cotton, PLA batting (made from non-GMO sugarcane to wick moisture while adding additional fluff), and organic latex.

We love this one because you can make the pillow as firm or as soft as you desire. Use GREENCHILD15 to get 15% off the purchase of their top-rated, certified organic mattresses, pillows, and accessories.

Birth Month Flower Scarf

This beautifully soft scarf features original watercolor art of your special someone’s birth‑month flower, each symbolizing qualities like loyalty, love and hope. Wrapped in thoughtful botanical meaning and wearable artistry, it’s a romantic piece they’ll treasure (and wear) all year long.

Hammered Half Cuff Bracelet

A meaningful Valentine’s Day gift that shines with purpose and style. This hand-hammered half cuff is crafted in 14k gold-fill and finished with a delicate chain. It’s perfect for everyday wear or layered looks. Made by a women-owned company that champions ethical fashion and pays a living wage to every maker, this piece is as beautiful in its impact as it is on the wrist.

Ethically-Made Sustainable Leisure Set

If your Valentine loves dogs, they’ll adore this dog-themed leisure set. Sustainably made from 95% modal and 5% spandex, this leisure set fits like a dream. It’s also ethically crafted in Los Angeles.

Handcrafted Organic Cotton Toiletry Bag

Great for Valentines or Galentines, this organic-cotton canvas toiletry bag features a charming hand-embroidered cross-stitch. It slips easily into an overnight bag, purse, or tote while adding a touch of artisanal style to her routine.

Personalized Night Sky Constellation Print

Capture the stars under which your love story began with this custom night sky print — a beautiful keepsake that charts the exact constellations over your special date and location. Choose meaningful text and shimmering gold foil for a truly heartfelt Valentine’s Day gift that turns a moment into art and memory.

VivaRays Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Limiting blue light at night is one of the best ways to encourage restorative sleep. Blue light blocking glasses can help the eyes send the proper signal to the brain in the evening. Wear them after sundown and until bedtime – especially if you look at screens at night or have LED or bright bluish white lights in your home. Use code GREENCHILDMAG for 10% off.

Birthflower Suncatcher Stained Glass

A thoughtful, sun‑catching keepsake that brings vibrant color and meaning into any room — this custom suncatcher features your chosen birth month flower (or a bouquet of family birthflowers) in luminous stained‑glass‑style art. Perfect for hanging in a sunny window, it casts gentle light and serves as a beautiful reminder of connection, celebration, and the unique blooms that represent the people you love.

Blue Lace Agate Ring

If your Valentine loves crystals, you can’t go wrong with crystal jewelry. This ring features an open back setting so the crystal stays in contact with the body. Its calming blue hues and timeless design make it a meaningful gift or everyday staple that symbolizes serenity, loyalty and personal style.