Louisa Pearson: ‘For me, love is fixing the tap or doing the washing up without being asked’

MY DAD’S name is Valentine. And no, before you ask, my dad isn’t Val Doonican. Although he does own a number of V-neck sweaters. It’s that time of year again.

The week when teenagers look even more anxious than usual while wondering if a card will drop through the letterbox. Wives everywhere are ringing up florists to send themselves bouquets. They’re getting them delivered to work because the real point of Valentine’s Day is not to express your love to the one you love but rather to show the rest of the world just how loved you are. At least that’s my understanding of it. Not that I’m against romantic gestures per se. But for me, love is fixing the leaky tap or doing the washing up without being asked. This is what marriage does to you: lowers your romantic expectations and inclinations beyond all imagining. They don’t tell you that before the ring goes on your finger.

But let’s just play along with this Valentine’s thing for a little while. Can we successfully go through the motions with the environment in mind? Almost a billion cards are sent each year, but how many of those are recycled no-one knows. Some green types will recommend that you send an E-Valentine. These people are men who’ve forgotten to buy a card and who are now scrabbling around for excuses. If you really want to do the right thing, buy a card that has been hand-made by some local artisan and frame it afterwards.

Next, flowers. My dream of a Britain where everyone buys locally grown cut flowers has hit a reality check. You’ve seen the weather out there – do you think there are many flowers in full bloom in February? Yes, clever gardeners could create a home-made bouquet of seasonal greenery but otherwise you’re going to have to head south to Cornwall, the Scilly Isles and so on. For British-grown posies, try www.wigglywigglers.com or www.cornishcountryflowers.co.uk. If you’re running short on time, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk to find out which supermarkets stock fairly traded blooms grown overseas.

The local angle also applies to English sparkling wine. You may be sceptical, but English wineries such as Nyetimber, Ridge View and Breaky Bottom (yes, really) all produce award-winning fizz. Chocolates come next and you can easily get the organic versions. Even better, track down Scottish-made organic chocs – Coco of Bruntsfield (www.cocochocolate.co.uk) has some very glam options.

Time to get even more romantic. As an entrenched wearer of brushed cotton pyjamas, I find the notion odd, but I’ve heard that some men buy lingerie for their beloved. Frilly pants are available in organic, ethical fabrics – sites such as www.luvahuva.co.uk and cielshop.co.uk have upmarket selections, but to save time you could hotfoot it to Marks & Sparks, which has carbon-neutral undies in the Autograph Autumn Leaves label.

And should you find yourself in need of ‘protection’, the site www.frenchlettercondoms.co.uk can provide carbon-neutral, fairly traded and FSC-certified rubber condoms. Hopeless romantics rejoice, for eco-friendly love has finally become a reality.