February is the month of love. The whole month, even after Valentine’s Day, can be celebrated between couples, friends, families, and even by yourself.
Retailers sell chocolates, cards, flowers, and stuffed animals to consumers who want to woo someone special. Many of us are not aware that products from this loved holiday are often produced in high quantities, may be made of toxic materials, and often end up in the landfill where they will leach harmful substances into the environment.
There’s no need to avoid the hearts and roses altogether. The best gifts are ones that come from the heart. Celebrate this month with GreenUP and be inspired about what you choose to gift!
If you’re not the type to hand make your gift, why not buy your loved one or yourself a gift that gives back to your community? You can support local businesses and artisans by purchasing handmade jewellery, soap, candles, or cards. Each gift created by a local artisan comes with their personal touch, and often reduces the waste sent to the landfill after the holiday is over.
The GreenUP Store and Resource Centre is a great one-stop shop for sustainable romantic gift ideas any time of the year. If you are a last-minute shopper needing something for that special someone, check out our curated selection.
Locally sourced honey and maple syrup make a sweet gift! Located just north of Peterborough in Apsley, Swift Acres Apiary honey is the perfect treat for a loved one, and Red Mill Maple Syrup is produced in Millbrook. Pour their maple syrup or honey over heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast or over ice cream for a sweet dessert after dinner.
Bath and beauty products are a popular choice to pamper your love. Many of the makers carried in the GreenUP Store come in reusable, compostable, refillable, or recyclable packaging.
We offer bath salts, many handmade soaps, body butters, and a variety of Ontario-made natural beauty products by Sweet Flowering Wellness, BirchBabe, Purple Urchin, Hudson Soap Co., and more. Treat yourself to your own wellness day!
Dim the lights and spark those candles to save energy and increase romantic allure. Conventional candles are made with paraffin wax, which is a petroleum by-product. Choose soy or beeswax such as This Old Flame and Swift Acres Apiary options that even use reusable mason jars or little plastic packaging.
Based in Curve Lake, Indigenously Infused creates soy candles (vegan) using traditional plants important to the maker rather than using synthetic materials to create a scent.
Tie up your gift with a meaningful message. GreenUP carries cards that keep local makers and the environment in mind. Love cards created by Jeff Macklin are available at the GreenUP Store and showcase beautiful pop art.
All gifts aside, if you’re looking for another easy option to surprise your loved ones, get outside this month of love and enjoy nature by walking, rolling, hiking, tobogganing, skiing or skating.
When you choose experiences over gifts, you will be making memories and avoiding more disposable clutter at home. Check out the many trails in Peterborough and bring some hot cocoa, or visit Ecology Park beside Beavermead Park for sunset.
We encourage everyone to celebrate a green month of love in the best way you can, no matter if it’s a self-care day or a day spent with others.
Visit the GreenUP Store at 378 Aylmer Street North in downtown Peterborough, where our friendly staff can help you choose the perfect green gift or talk about purchase-free options! How’s that for romance?
