Looking for the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day? We’re featuring a selection of ethical and sustainable products that are currently on sale in the Happy Planet Store at Manchester Art Gallery. Gifts can be purchased online or in store, so why not make a day of it and take Valentine’s Day afternoon tea in the gallery cafe.
Ethical and sustainable gifts
What makes a perfect Valentine gift? A thoughtful present that takes into account your loved one’s preferences and makes them happy. If you are buying for someone who cares about the planet and sustainability, that doesn’t mean you can’t buy a beautiful, desirable present. Here are some ideas for you.
Sustainable Valentine’s Day gift ideas
Terre Verdi makes certified organic skincare products that are inspired by Sicily. They have included organic Neroli Pom moisturising & anti oxidising face cream, FranChouliPom nourishing facial serum and rose mist toner in the Happy Planet Store. Terre Verdi products are made from ethically sourced ingredients. They are cruelty free approved and 100% vegan.
For a little treat, buy one of Chloe Haywood’s eco face masks or a lavender heart to keep lingerie smelling sweet and fresh. The love hearts are made from recycled cashmere and are the perfect gift to keep your woollen cardigans and jumpers free from fabric moths.
Another small gift with a sustainable tag are the Kind2 Discovery Hydrating or Rebalancing shampoo and conditioner bars. The bars are made in the UK from natural ingredients. They are plant based & vegan, free from sulphates and synthetic fragrances and pH balance means they work even in hard water areas.
Choose between a Patchouli & Black Pepper bath soak and a bath wash from The Bath House. You can relax and while away your worries in a relaxing bath and not have to worry about any nasty chemicals. The bath soak is a natural, vegan and sustainable product in a recyclable glass bottle with an aluminium cap.
Herbarium is a book by Mia Parnall of Trelonk, Herbarium is a meditation on wellbeing with illustrations by Marion Bretagne. Trelonk make essential oils in Cornwall and have included Power Through for everyday aches and pains, Head Strong which is designed to improve confidence and positivity and Lights Out to help you drift off to a restful sleep.
Who doesn’t love coffee? Whether you are buying a Valentine gift for an eco-man or an eco-woman, the coffee from Source Climate Change Coffee will be appreciated. They have stocked the shop with coffee and Nespresso compostable coffee capsules.
Terre Verdi Chloe Haywood Kind2 The Bath House 
Trelonk 
Source Climate Change Coffee 
Wolfram Lohr 
Linda Bloomfield 
Helena Lee Studios
Sustainable Valentine gifts for the home
If your Valentine is a home & interiors fan, why not check out Wolfram Lohr’s peg plant hanger and plant holder or the peg wall hanger. The peg plant holder is made from oak and leather. Simple and sophisticated for a contemporary home.
Linda Bloomfield has produced a dimpled pouring cup and dimpled bowl which would make a lovely gift for someone who is house proud. These handmade cups and bowls have tactile outer surfaces and colour glaze interiors that lift the spirits. They are made from porcelain.
Helena Lee creates the most delightful images of nature. Her dandelion print and pink & red roses greeting cards are included in the Happy Planet Store. The dandelion print is A3 sized, and is printed using water-based inks on acid-free watercolour paper. It is wrapped in a compostable sleeve.
We could not have a Valentine’s Day gift list from the Happy Planet Store and not mention 4160 Tuesdays perfumes, Ince umbrellas, Ian Mankin’s recycled cotton throws or Rocworx’s origami bud vase which would all make someone very happy.
The Happy Planet Store will run at the Manchester Art Gallery until 18 April. You can purchase products online or visit the shop while you are at the gallery. Why not take tea in the gallery cafe which is offering a full Valentine afternoon tea experience from Thursday 14th February to Saturday 16th February. Please book in advance.
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