If you want a green and eco-friendly Valentine’s Day, there’s nothing greener than actually being outdoors. Of course, February weather can be unpredictable at best (we’re always waiting on that pesky groundhog) and can also vary dramatically from one part of the country to the next. That doesn’t mean that, no matter what the weather, you can’t enjoy an outdoor Valentine and do it in a way that’s friendly to the planet. Here are our best tips for romantic, outdoor encounters that your sweetie will love as much as Mother Nature does.
You’ve Got It Easy if You Live in the Sun – but the Expectations are Higher, Too
If you’re in a sunny climate, chances are that a big portion of the country is envious of you right now. In many ways, you have the ideal situation for an outdoor Valentine’s Day. But chances are that you also live in an environment where much of the lifestyle is outdoors as well. That means that in order for your outdoor Valentine to stand out, you’ll need to get a little bit creative. After all, how many Valentine’s Days on the beach can one person stand? Don’t answer that – we know our answer would be “As many as are possible!”.
Here’s our suggestion: Mix things up and do a physical outdoor activity together. No, we are not talking about getting naughty outdoors. (Though if that’s your thing, who are we to stop you? Just remember that there are public decency laws!). Take a cross fit class together, play tennis or badminton, go for a run or a hike, get extremely crazy and take a rappelling or rafting class if you can find a location nearby. Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be about sitting, and if you’ve got the weather to support getting active, embrace the idea.
Keep It Eco-Friendly By: You have great weather so skip the paper Valentine’s Day card and chalk a sidewalk near your partner’s home with love messages.
Snow is Romantic – And There Are Plenty of Ways to Stay Warm
You’ve all seen the romantic photos used by engagement ring vendors and just about anybody who’s got something romantic to sell. A couple walks along holding hands, blissfully in the snow. And the idea of snow is often romantic. In fact, it can often be more romantic than actually being in the snow. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t spend your Valentine’s Day outside even in snowy weather. There are plenty of romantic endeavors that you can plan: building a snowman, going horseback riding if there’s a ranch nearby, building an igloo and snuggling in it. All of those things are romantic, active and natural. The trick to pulling it off, however, is two-fold.
The first trick is just simply to avoid having it be a disaster by making sure that your loved one knows that he or she will need outdoor clothing to keep warm in. But it’s the second trick that truly makes an outdoor snowy valentine special. Make sure that you have everything prepared to warm up inside afterwards! Make the bed with thick comforters and warm blankets, have some warming “adult beverage” nearby and – most importantly – opt for the massage oils that heat as you use them!
Keep It Eco-Friendly By: It’s all about how you heat up afterwards! Try turning down the gas or electric heat and instead using a firebowl or firepit. Or, heat up the good old fashioned way with blankets and body heat.
Singing In the Rain – It’s Not a Cliché
One of the most unfortunate things about Valentine’s Day is that in many areas of the country rain is a distinct possibility. But rain is also abundantly joyful. After all, you think it’s romantic to take a shower together, don’t you? What’s different about getting wet and messy in the great outdoors? If you’re lucky, it will even be a warm rain that you can truly enjoy.
Our recommendation is to just get outside and run with it – or in it as it may be! Get impulsive and drop the umbrella with no warning. If you know it’s going to be raining, have some big, fluffy romantic towels ready to go when you get home. And nothing tastes better after getting wet in a rainstorm than red wine.
Keep It Eco-Friendly By: You’ll have wet clothes after you’re done. Line dry them inside instead of putting them in the dryer! You might just stay naked together longer that way!
Weather is always a wild-card when you think about doing something outside, but when it’s just the two of you inclement weather can actually turn romantic. Keep an open mind about what Mother Nature has gifted you with this Valentine’s Day and incorporate it into your romance.
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21 Eco-Friendly and Romantic Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day
Photo Credit: Nancy Dorsner via Flickr
