Does anything say 'I love you' like an overpriced set menu in a crowded chain restaurant?

Instead of hitting you with a run-down of Valentine's Day's carbon footprint or an angry tirade on its joylessness and the evil marketing industry behind it, I thought I'd do my best to inspire you with some ideas for unique and guilt-free romantic experiences. And they don't even have to happen on 14 February.

1. Seasonal food and local booze

There's enough delicious seasonal British veg at this time of year to make a whole meal from locally-sourced produce. You could even make something pink and heart-shaped out of beetroot - it's an aphrodisiac after all.
With English vodka voted the world's best and top wine boffins extolling the virtues of English sparkling wine, why not wash it down with something local and cut your booze miles too?

2. Fun times

An experience for your loved one instead of buying a product saves resources and usually means you'll get to join in the fun yourself. The promise of a summer festival could help banish the winter blues. Or you could embrace the winter weather and surprise your partner with an impromptu country walk or seaside trip.  

3. Trash and treasure

If you're dealing with a material girl/boy, why not opt for something vintage or recycled? The idea of eco gifts may call to mind images of crisp-packet earrings and shapeless hessian garments. But upcycling - making old crap into useful new things - is actually achingly trendy. How about a stylish bag made out of a discarded festival tent? Or some shoes made from an old quilt? 

4. Here's one I made earlier

If you're on a shoestring budget but still want to tug on your partner's heartstrings, how about doing some upcycling of your own? I recently whipped up a tea cosy and a friendly monkey out of a worn-out jumper:

For fantastic design and patterns ideas that use vintage and recycled materials try Design Sponge and Meet me at Mike's.

5. Love is a mix tape

A selection of romantic tunes could remind your partner of special memories or help create some new ones. Using Fairshare Music to download your playlist will give Friends of the Earth a nice gift too.

6. Get a little birdhouse in your soul

According to tradition Valentines Day is when birds start pairing up before settling down. Find out how to make and where to buy the best love nest boxes.   

7. Say it with French grunts

Friends of the Earth's ecards have a range of amorous animals to drive your loved ones wild.

- Nicky Stocks, Communications and Media Team