Written by: Giulia Simolo
It’s Valentine’s Day which brings to mind images of love, but could also be seen as a commercialised day where you spend more money than you should! Throw in having a more eco-friendly day and you’re probably assuming that this means more reasons to shell out the cash. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The day can be special and not burn a hole through your pocket. Here’s how to ensure that you win on both fronts.
Think quality, not quantity
The whole point of buying gifts for the special person in your life is to make them feel thought of and cared for. With all the generic gifts out there (think dozens of roses and expensive cologne), why not gift them with something a little more sentimental and meaningful? Try to be more creative. For example, create a CD of special music tracks that mean something to you as a couple or scan photos and turn them into a beautiful slideshow of memories you can always look back on. Valentine’s Day is about showing each other love and what better way to do that than to safeguard memories you’ve shared together?
Go somewhere special
When one thinks of the day of love, one is not hard-pressed to imagine some quality time together in beautiful surroundings. But instead of organising an expensive dinner at a five star restaurant where you can increase your carbon footprint by dining on imported foods, why not go somewhere special that won’t cost much and is better for the earth? Taking a walk in nature is a great way to spend real quality time in each other’s company, and it’s not difficult to find the perfect spot. The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Randburg or Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town, are examples of gorgeous places where you can enjoy the greenery and breathtaking waterfalls.
Think green adrenaline
Some experiences are worth paying a bit of extra money for, but ensure you start saving up now so that you work towards a magical experience with your partner without feeling the disdain of having to shell out a large amount of money in one go. That’s where a budget should come in. If you’re keen to do something a little racier this Valentine’s Day, plan ahead for an eco-friendly activity you and your partner share together. For instance, if you want to go on a bit of an adventure, why not try hot air balloon flights over spectacular views, such as over the safari or game areas outside of the Kruger National Park? The great thing is that this mode of travel is eco-friendly because it does not give off carbon emissions.
Create a love space
Everyone has one – a room or section in the house that is a downright mess and requires some urgent cleanup. Well, why not use this as the perfect time to do it? It might sound boring, but what will motivate you is to think of the benefits. Clearing out a space is great for the environment – you can donate what you don’t use anymore to a hospice or charity and recycle boxes that you don’t need. But it’s also good for you as a couple because the space that gets cleared out could become a special corner of the house for you. For instance, a cleaned up cupboard could stock everything related to what you want to achieve in future, think of it as your dream space. Or the small spare room could become a home office from where you can earn extra cash to go on that holiday at the end of the year. Clearing out space for love to grow doesn’t cost anything and it will be an exciting thing to share together, not just on Valentine’s Day but every day.
The liveeco team
