Our Favorite Valentine’s Day “Experience” Gifts

Every year around Valentine’s Day (or any gift-giving holiday for that matter) we start to remind you that gifts that provide an “experience” are superior to gifts of “stuff” (though we do shirk away from the word superior generally, in this case we think that it’s true). But we just realized that we haven’t given you any advice on great ideas for creating these “experience” gifts – and beyond that how to do them in a way that’s true to your Postconsumer and eco-friendly self. So of course we felt it was incumbent on us to correct that error. Today, we’re giving you ideas and pro tips for our five favorite Valentine’s Day dates that are all about the experience, not so much about the “stuff.”

Idea Number One: It’s All About the Food, Food, Food. No Takeout.

Somewhat obviously, you’re supposed to sing the above headline to the tune of “All About That Bass.” But food is always a great experience gift that not only gives you time to talk and stare lovingly into each other’s eyes over a meal, it also lets you indulge many other senses in a delicious feast. We think that there are two ways that you can give the gift of an amazing food experience without violating any consumer or environmental principles that you’re trying to stick to. The first is to take your loved one (or lusted for one) out to eat at a restaurant that you know uses good green practices (think farm to table). The second is to cook for your loved one. The benefit of cooking at home? You get better control over practices and waste, you get the added time together of being in the kitchen and you get to wow your date with your culinary skills (or at least how much effort you put into trying).

Idea Number Two: Create Something Together

Not all creative endeavors require you to both be Picasso. The great thing about an experience gift that has you creating something together is that it gives you both room to not be perfect. So what can you do? Take a painting class (or, if you’re flush on cash hire a private instructor). Take a cooking class. Just buy paints and craft supplies and go crazy with a bottle of wine and some snacks. Take a piano class together. Get some chalk and decorate the sidewalks outside of your home. Throw it back to your middle school crush days and get some glue and make macaroni art. Take a sewing class. If you really, really want to keep it eco-friendly, use recycled or upcycled materials to make your masterpiece. Our only warning to you is that craft stores can be meccas of consumerism, so go in armed with your best knowledge of marketing and big box store tips and tricks. And, of course, if possible, support your local art supply store and artisan teachers.

Idea Number Three: Get Outside!

Surely you did not think that you would get through this entire list without our telling you that you needed to get up and get outside, did you? After all, outside is the essence of all things eco-friendly and a place where it’s fairly hard to fall into standard consumer traps. But what should you do outside? Let your imaginations run wild.

Idea Number Four: See What Other People Have Created

Perhaps you just don’t want to get messy with paint or crafts on Valentine’s Day. That’s fair. But there were plenty of people who came before you who created amazing works of art, or musical pieces or theater or even mime (yes, mime). Instead of creating your own art, visit some art or see a show. Not only are you ensuring a great experience (which, by the way, can be paired with a food experience) but you’re also supporting your local arts scene. And in this day and age arts scenes need all of the support that they can get. So you’re creating an incredible experience as well as doing some good in the world.

Pro Tip: Watching a good film does count as experiencing creativity! But we’d encourage you to avoid seeing the RomCom dujour at your local Cineplex and instead supporting an independent theater or even watching a movie at home. We think you already know how much consumerism happens at huge movie theater complexes!

Idea Number Five: Get Physical (Even if You Don’t Get Naked)

Certainly, if getting naked is what you want to do for Valentine’s Day, don’t let us stop you! But there are other ways to be sensual and physical without stripping down all the way. Take a hot yoga class together. If you’re in the warm weather zone, go swimming together. And, of course, there’s always the art of the sensual massage. And to keep you from the upsell haven that is most professional spas, you can set up a massage spa experience right in your own home. And you may even want to improve that home spa experience by making a homemade facial mask to share with your lover.

Did we miss an idea for creating an experience gift that you want to share with us? If so, just tell us about it on one of the social media channels below.