Yes, there's too much tat and it's all horribly commercial, but there's a lot to be said for bothering with Valentine's Day. So long as you make something special of it: don't go down the predictable route, opting for a dozen air-freighted roses. Instead charm the pants off your loved one with something original.

'To do' presents'

1/ Book your lover a day at the UK's only true eco-spa. Titanic Mill is offering a Winter Blues Spa Day for ??99, offer open until 29th Feb.

2/ Or what about a two night eco-retreat in a luxorious Tipi, in Wales? Keep warm with a wood-burning Mexican chimney and you can visit the nearby Centre for Alternative Technology

Living presents'

3/ Save a chunk of rainforest. The World Land Trust, a conservation organisation that buys up the rainforest to protect it, is offering the chance to buy half an acre for ??25. Your chosen one will get a certificate and a Valentine's card, as well as a bar of organic chocolate.

4/ Closer to home, the Carbon Neutral company offers the chance to dedicate two native trees in Lovers' Wood, part of Warcombe Wood, in Devon, to your partner. In return, you receive a certificate and a map directing you to your trees.

Other ways to watch your love grow'

5/ You don't have to choose imported roses. Wiggly Wigglers sells local, seasonal bouquets, and all sorts of gardening gifts for those with green fingers, or wannabes.

6/ Or try your local garden centre for a pot of daffodils or crocuses. They are in season and you can plant them out in the garden afterwards.

7/ For something more exotic, treat your Valentine to a Wild Cherry tree. According to tree2mydoor.com, they are native to the UK and will blossom with pink or white flowers. They don't grow too large, so it's the ideal gift for someone with a small garden

8/ For more of a kick, spice up your love life with a grow-your-own chilli plant.

Supper-time'

9/ Nothing beats home-cooked food made with local, seasonal ingredients. For a stack of info on what's good right now and other ethical food advice, click here for the Real Food guide. Or here for another seasonal eating website.
I prefer easy, one-pot suppers on Valentine's night, stews and casseroles that you don't have to fuss over. If you can get your hands on a Le Creuset heart-shaped pot, even better.

10/ This leaves you lots of time to cuddle up on the sofa with a drink. And what better to choose than a fine organic tipple. Times wine critic Jane McQuitty rated this Gew??rtzraminer (2003) as one of her top winter wines.

11/ If you can get your hands on some recycled wine glasses, such as these, your date will be all the more impressed.

12/ Don't forget to set the mood with organic candles, made from renewable, organic plant wax.

13/ Not everyone feels at home cooking, especially on a first date. If you must go out, at least choose a green restaurant. There's handful in the capital, such as Acorn House and Konstam. In Bristol, there's Bordeaux Quay. Brighton, try Due South. Up North, I've heard nothing but good about The Star Inn, near Helmsley.

You can't go wrong with chocolate'

14/ A cake baked in a heart-shaped baking tray is bound to set your love's heart a flutter. Buy it from Heals (see above for picture). And try this recipe for Fairtrade chocolate cake (or cheat with this one from M&S).

15/ For dedicated chocoholics, there are a number of goodie bags you could order, including this one from Fairtrade chocolate company Divine, and this one from organic choc company Green and Blacks.

16/ And while were at it, it's worth mentioning that Faith in Nature does a chocolate shower gel, and we all like showers because they use less water than baths ' unless, of course, you share your bath.

Make your own card'

17/ A card is an important gesture, but what about making one from old bits of magazines and wrapping paper. Even cutting out a heart of bright red card does the job, and it's a lot cheaper than a tacky declaration of love from Clintons. This heart-shaped writing paper made from elephant dung is a good starting point for homemade creations, or give it as a gift.

18/ If time's too short, there are crafty, fair trade cards from here. And here.

To bed'

19/ Perhaps now is the moment to present the Valentine's package devised by eco-underwear company Green Knickers. It contains Fairtrade chocolate and a pair of pants ' or boxers for men.

20/ And if you've played your cards right, you might be calling on one of the Fairtrade condoms sold by French Letter, a new company that gives a percentage of its profits back to the Malaysian rubber producers.