Bee My Valentine

It is not too much of a stretch to connect the sweetness of bees and St Valentine’s Day this year. In fact, the connection between the two may surprise people. When rushing out to find the perfect gift for a loved one on Valentine’s Day, the last thing a person is thinking about is how bees helped make this special day so colorful. Still, the connection of bees to this holiday comes naturally because bees directly influence options for love-struck consumers!

Celebrating Love and Bees on Valentine's Day

The day of love is often celebrated by showering one another with sweets, flowers, and other gifts. Every rose, daisy, tulip, and mixed floral arrangement owes its beauty to hard-working bees. Bees deserve to be thought of and cherished on this day, and what an excellent opportunity to honor bees this Valentine’s Day. St. Valentine was also the patron saint of beekeepers, responsible for honey's sweetness and for protecting beekeepers. After all, it is thought Cupid’s arrow was dipped in honey or bee venom.

Valentine’s Day falls in February, which is the season for celebrations of new growth and spring in the air. Bees are pivotal in this process, from fruit trees to beautiful flowers; it is largely thanks to them. Taking a moment to take in the variety of flowers and fruit treats, thanks to the bees, deepens appreciation for our bee pollinators.

Bee-Based Valentine’s Gifts

Beyond flowers, bees also make honey and honeycomb. A deeper and more thoughtful approach can really impress! Bee-based gifts, like honey wax candles or a honey mask, can be the icing on the cake, or honey in the pot. Find a local beekeeper in your area and see if they offer any products made from their bees or local colonies. Thoughtful gifts are easy when they are tied to something with history and tradition, and make the connection more than the last bouquet at the grocery store on the way home.

Bee in Better Health for Valentine’s Day

Local honey has known anti-bacterial properties, which is why it is in so many consumable and beauty products. Very few bacteria can survive in honey, which is why some people take honey products or use them regularly to boost their immune systems. Using local honey always offers additional benefits because it is made from the flowers, trees, and plants in the area. If someone suffers from allergies but is not allergic to bees, they often find significant relief from consuming honey, which can reduce symptoms over time. If there is uncertainty about bee allergies, use them with caution or consult with a medical professional if concerns exist.

Sustainable Valentine’s Memories

The temptation is always there to bring a loved one a bouquet of stunning, fresh-cut flowers. However, gifting a bee-friendly plant or seeds to someone this Valentine’s Day is a sustainable gift that keeps on giving. An herb garden, or some early-blooming flowers that can be planted, is a unique way to give someone a thoughtful gift this Valentine’s Day. Anyone who loves the outdoors and appreciates what our pollinators do to make this holiday special will love the activity of bees, butterflies, and ladybugs as spring comes and summer kicks pollination into full gear. If space permits, give someone a fruit tree and really bring a smile to their face.

Bees Don’t Need Us, We Need Them

Bees don’t have emotions, and they don’t lose their jobs if people don’t purchase fresh-cut flowers on Valentine’s Day this year. So, regardless of whether you want something special for a parent, sibling, friend, or partner, thoughtful always outweighs cost. There is nothing wrong with a gigantic bouquet of roses to make an impression, but connecting St. Valentine to the importance of bees in history, tradition, and our lives today is worth taking a moment to reflect on. When asking someone to be your valentine, making it sweeter by tying it to the person who arranged the flowers or baked the sweet treats is a fun way to add layers to this overly commercialized holiday. Stay away from over-processed candy hearts and marshmallow treats in the shape of hearts. Instead, put some thought into your efforts and make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.