A Green Valentine's Day

Turn up the romance and beat the credit crunch with our Valentine's Day top tips

If you're looking for romance this year, forget glitzy restaurants and expensive gifts - the real deal is home-made cards, home cooking and intimate moments.

This Valentine's Day is all about getting back to basics with some old fashioned romance - and saving money and energy at the same time...

Love and the credit crunch: how we're coping
Top tips for a green Valentine's Day
Is green the new gorgeous?
Where to look for Valentine's Day inspiration

Love and the credit crunch - how we're coping

As the UK tightens its belt, home is where the heart is this Valentine's Day.

We asked over 2000 people about their ideal Valentine's Day.

Of those who plan to celebrate Valentine's Day:

over half would prefer a home-cooked meal to a fancy restaurant
nearly 3 in 5 would prefer a home-made Valentine's Day card
three quarters would prefer cosy moments to glitzy gifts

This minimalist attitude means a world of opportunities for intimate romance - and some easy ways to save energy too.

Top tips for a green Valentine's Day

Up the romance and cut the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions...

Smooch by candlelight - recent research* showed that Brits are more likely than their French counterparts to switch off the main lighting and dine by candlelight to save energy and money - around a quarter of Brits compared to only 15% per cent of people in France.

Take a walk in the moonlight with your Valentine in a local park or at the beach - low cost, low carbon and it'll get you in the mood for love. If every couple in the UK went for a romantic stroll this Valentine's Day rather than going for a drive, they would collectively save around £4 million and 10,000 tonnes of CO₂.

Make your own card - it just takes a little time and attention (and recycled paper). The extra effort shows you really care about your Valentine - and the environment.

Plant a green gift - create a lasting symbol of your relationship by planting a rose bush or a crab apple tree (also called the "tree of love").

Snuggle under the duvet - turn down the thermostat and curl up to watch a romantic film with a loved one. A recent survey* showed that Brits are more likely to cuddle up in a bid to save energy and money than their European counterparts - 36 per cent of Brits and only around a quarter of Spaniards (23 per cent) and 28 per cent of French would do the same.

Have fun with chocolate. To explore endless tasty possibilities and enjoy an eco-friendly glow at the same time, buy locally produced chocs and recycle the packaging.

Share a bath or shower. There's nothing like getting into hot water with someone to kick off a romantic evening. If every couple in the UK shared their showers on Valentine's Day they could save a collective 220 million litres of water. And by using less hot water you'll be saving energy too.

Go for old-fashioned entertainment - grab a pack of cards and a special friend. If all the couples in the UK turned off their TVs this Valentine's Day, it would save them nearly £780,000 and almost 3,000 tonnes of CO₂. Strip poker, anyone...?

Talk to each other - sometimes a simple "I love you" is better than any gift or evening out.

Is green the new gorgeous?

What's more attractive than someone who cares about the planet?

Do something green for your partner, or get together to show off your eco-friendly romance - head over to Britain Unplugged for our latest challenge, Turn me on, turn it off

Where to look for Valentine's Day inspiration

Looking for organic restaurants? Eco-friendly flowers? Greener gifts? If you want to show off your green credentials this Valentine's day, check out these shopping, dining and recipe ideas