Valentine’s Day - romantic juggernaut or sentimental twaddle? The day poses problems for couples and singles alike as the elephant in the room on February 14. Ninety-five per cent of members of the mysinglefriend.com dating site say that Valentine’s Day has become too commercialised. Yet you don't have to be a bitter singleton to be over the whole chocolate and roses routine. With that in mind, we have compiled 14 alternative ideas for February 14. To celebrate this year, why not give:

1. The word love: Love is up for auction on eBay. The word love that is. The highest bidder receives a personal dedication next to the word in a special edition of the Collins’ Dictionary and ‘ownership’ of the word for a year. A romantic escape to a boutique hotel is also thrown in. www.adoptaword.com/love. Proceeds go to children’s charity I CAN

2. A Scratch 'n Sniff Cinema evening: Smell-o-vision goes one better at a screening of The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover in London's Newburgh Quarter by online art collective Jotta and bespoke jelly makers Bombas and Parr. Couples get special scratch 'n sniff cards infused with scents from key moments of Peter Greenaway's film (rotting meat, dusty books) to watch the film at this one-day-only event. Guests will sip specially commissioned aphrodisiac cocktails and nibble "surprise" treats (although not as surprising as the gangster's final meal in the film, we hope). The screenings are sold out, but we have a pair of tickets reserved to give away to Times Online readers. Email ben@jotta.com to enter the drawing on Friday the 13th at 11am.

3. A kiss (from you) suspended over an air machine: Give your lover an extra thrill by booking a session in the ‘tunnel of love’ – a wind tunnel in Milton Keynes. You can pretend to be skydiving without having to jump out of a plane and attempt to kiss mid-air which may or may not be more difficult than it looks in the picture on the website. £ 69.99 for two www.airkix.com

4. A personalised machete: This is either a bit grizzly or edgily alternative – you decide. Hurry - before they all sell-out (really)! www.elizabethmcgrath.com

5. A tree: Combat the bunch of roses cliché by buying the object of your affections a tree, delivered straight to their door. Just avoid saying something like 'let our love grow’ in the accompanying card. Prices from £9.99. www.tree2mydoor.com

6. Adopt a book: a romantic gesture, if you pick your title wisely. Pick up St Valentine’s pocket book from 1867 or a Midsummer Night’s Dream from 1901. Prices range from £25 to £500 www.bl.uk/adoptabook

7. Chocolate corset: It is chocolate, but this laced-up corset-style box contains a giant heart and is quirky, not cheesy. £20 www.hotelchocolat.co.uk

8. Rose bud tea: When a bunch of flowers is too run of the mill, rosebud tea comes to the rescue – and tastes delicious. Antique Rose tea, £17.02 www.choitime.com

9. Massage Masterclass: A bit more original than the usual spa voucher, the spa at Chancery Court are offering a masterclass for couples, who learn tricks of the trade from a holistic therapist. It costs £300, but lasts 1hr 50 minutes and includes a massage from the therapist as well as an ESPA gift pack. www.spachancerycourt.com

10. Heart-shaped frying pan: Breakfast in bed has never been so kitsch. The idea is to buy the pan then offer to cook eggs for your partner, thus avoiding the awkward ‘you bought me a kitchen implement, how romantic’ chat. £5 from Cancer Research www.giftshop.cancerresearchuk.org

11. Lips video game: True love is listening to your lover warble along to Mariah Carey. And with this game they can. £39.99www.amazon.co.uk

12. Treat your dog to a Harrods food tasting: For £10 you can treat the only person in your life you can really count on, as long as that person is your dog. Your pet will be able to taste the delights of Lily’s Kitchen ‘proper’ pet food. We’re told: “Harrods don’t usually let dogs into the store, except for coat fittings,” so don't miss the opportunity. Besides, aren't fellow dog-lovers perfect to date? www.lilyskitchen.com

13. Something from notmassproduced.com: Surely the definition of alternative, you won’t find any of these gifts in your local House of Fraser www.notmassproduced.com

14. Lunch in Paris via private jet: In this economic climate, what could run more counter to the make-do-and-mend mindset than organising a romantic meal in Paris, flown in by private jet? For employees of banks that have received billions from the government, the bonus ought to cover the cost easily. Prices start from £500 www.bookajet.com

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