By Satyne Doner, Contributing Writer
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, thousands of people will be rushing to their nearby supermarkets to purchase roses, cards, and candy for their loved ones. However, we must be more conscious of where those candy wrappers end up because it is no secret that everything we use and throw away contributes to the overflowing of landfills.
This year, try something more environmentally friendly. Do-It-Yourself gifts do not always have to be expensive or difficult. Using what you already have is always better than buying, and is sometimes even more meaningful.
ㅤㅤㅤ1. Use Leftover Paper to Make a Heartfelt Card
As college students, we always have access to paper in the library, in our notebooks, and roaming around in our backpacks. Write a heartfelt note by taking a few moments to simply fold a piece of paper in half and show off your creative skills with some colored markers!
ㅤㅤㅤ2. The Sweetest Gift of All: Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Chocolate-covered strawberries are incredibly easy to make and are a delicious alternative to store-bought candies! You only need two ingredients: strawberries and chocolate chips. You can find all of these at Walmart for under $5, and buy the chocolate in bulk at Publix.
Melt ½ cup of chocolate chips in the microwave, making sure to stir every 30 seconds and add more as needed. Dip the strawberries into the chocolate, place them onto a plate, and put them into your refrigerator until they are cooled to perfection.
ㅤㅤㅤ3. An Experience Does Not Have to be Expensive
Treating your valentine to a heart-warming experience doesn’t have to break the bank. How about a beautiful picnic lunch next to Lake Jovita, at the Bowl here on campus, or a coffee date at Benedict’s? Not only does this produce no waste, but it requires no travel.
ㅤㅤㅤ4. Local Florida Flowers
A fresh bouquet of flowers makes the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. To make this option more sustainable, purchase locally grown flowers. The best way to do this is to pay attention to the tag! You can find beautiful, local flowers at Publix, which is less than 10 minutes away. Additionally, you can bind the stems together with a string and hang them up to dry. This is an eco-friendly and charming way to decorate your dorm room!
Hopefully, these Do-It-Yourself options will inspire you to be more sustainable this Valentine’s Day and consider no-waste alternatives. The practice of reducing waste and reusing/recycling what you can is great for the environment. Handmade batches of chocolate strawberries, a sincere card, a bouquet of local flowers, and a heartfelt picnic by the lake are just the beginning. The possibilities are endless.
