Valentines, galentines, palentines, whatever you may like to call it. I’ve not been one for too much celebration in the past but, considering the current state of global affairs, this year I thought why not? If it’s the only bit of excitement for the foreseeable future, then we may as well have some fun with it.
So, if you’re feeling the same as me, here are some ethical and sustainable gift options for those you love, no matter who they are.
FLOWER POWER
Petalon
Petalon design weekly low-waste bouquets using seasonal flowers, available for delivery across mainland Britain. 5% of profit from deliveries goes towards bee conservation, they plant a tree for every 100 bouquets sent by carbon-neutral courier, and all of their packaging is recyclable or biodegradable.
WET YOUR WHISTLE
L’art Du Vin
L’art Du Vin have a wide range of biodynamic and organic options alongside an in-house range of micro fair trade wines. They’re also the first Scottish wine merchant to be a certified member of the Soil Association.
Tapp’d Cocktails
Tapp’d is a family run business, handcrafting and delivering mixologist quality cocktails to your door. They carefully select the finest ingredients including organic fruit, ethically sourced coffee, and premium aged spirits, plus they’re gluten free, vegan friendly, and free from any artificial flavors and preservatives
Artigianale Prosecco
Artigianale is organic, natural, vegan, sustainable and transparent. They use 100% renewable energy in production and eco-friendly packaging, while also being low sugar and low sulphite. Plus, it tastes delicious.
SWEET TREATS
Divine
Since their founding in 1998, Divine’s chocolate has used the ‘bean to bar’ model. They are the only Fairtrade chocolate company co-owned by farmers, while also being B Corp certified and organic certified by the Soil Association. They can be regularly found on ethical chocolate lists, and they taste amazing.
Tony’s Chocolonely
Tony’s aim to make 100% slave-free chocolate the norm. They use five sourcing principles to eradicate modern slavery from supply chains, and create chocolate that is traceable and high quality, while building long term relationships with farmers.
SHOP HERE (and design your own wrapper!)
PLANT POWER
Love Succs by PRICK
Hoya kerrii (also known as the ‘Sweetheart Plant’ or ‘Valentine Hoya’) is natures love heart. Gift a cutting of this succulent alongside a biodegradable pot, and support a black-owned plant business at the same time.
Repot
Started by two plant lovers in the first lockdown, every Repot pot is designed and painted by Lamine and Mona to add some extra fun to your plants’ homes. The perfect quirky gift!
FUN IN THE BEDROOM
Smile Makers
Smile Makers want to break the taboo around women’s pleasure, making beautiful products for women using only quality materials and working with world class designers and manufacturers each step of the way.
SHOP HERE (Planet Organic are offering a discount on all products in the run up to Valentine’s Day)
OHROS
OHROS create vegan soy candles, all of which are hand-poured in London and are paraffin-free. OHROS have a selection of cosy candles, including ‘By the fire’ and ‘Sunday Morning’, which are perfect for intimate moments.
BEDROOM ESSENTIALS
HANX create biodegradable, cruelty-free and vegan condoms and natural lubricant, while YES also make organic, natural lubricants too. Stay safe and have fun!
UNWIND
MONTA MONTA x My Lady Garden
MONTA MONTA is a London based sustainable skincare company, handmaking products using hyper-locally sourced and waste raw materials, and using recyclable and refillable packaging. They’ve teamed up with London florist My Lady Garden to create a bath oil filled with geranium, verbena, clementine and clove, making it perfect for some pampering.
GET VULNERABLE
We’re Not Really Strangers
WNRS is a purpose-driven card game designed to foster meaningful connections. The main game contains three levels of questions that allow you to deepen existing relationships and create new ones, plus there are dating and relationship expansion packs.
SUSTAINABLE PERFUME
Floral Street
Floral Street create vegan, cruelty-free fragrances made with sustainable, fully traceable, natural ingredients. Their perfumes are housed in glass bottles and all packaging and inks are sustainable.
Ravenscourt Apothecary
For vegans and lovers of literature, all of Ravenscourt Apothecary’s products are handmade in the UK and are palm oil-free and cruelty-free. Find perfumes for all genders based on classic romantic characters such as Jane Eyre, Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett.
