My Mother is hard to please. If it's not chocolate, flowers, or something from Marks and Spencer, then the chances are she won't like it. Not surprisingly I've exhausted every possible combination of the above for previous Mother's days, until last year when I gave up (well... technically I forgot, but she doesn't need to know that). Mother's day 2010 falls on 14th March, so here are six ethical gift ideas which will please the planet just as much as the pickiest of Mothers.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO START THE GALLERY

Let someone know that you care about them on Valentine's Day with some organic heart lollipops.

Available from By Nature, they come either in a dark or milk chocolate (or a combination of both). They are sent on your behalf with the message of your choice on embossed card paper. The card and the packaging are made of recycled materials.

The gourmet cards retail for £6.99 for one Lollipop and £8.99 for 2 Lollipops (price includes postage). Last date of order for Valentine's Day delivery is February 11th 2010.

http://www.bynature.co.uk/organic-chocolate-heart-lollies-gourmet-card-17388-0.html

If you watched Panorama recently you'll have seen just how dirty some of our seas and beaches are getting from water companies emptying sewage into them, especially after heavy storms.

Now approaching its 20th anniversary, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is Europe's largest environmental boardrider's campaign group and this year launched its brand new Protect Our Waves (POW) campaign. This campaign is dedicated to the protection of surf spots from unacceptable impacts on the environment, wave quality and right of access.

To support the new POW campaign, the not for profit organisation has produced a cool new organic t-shirt, for men and women, featuring a surfer standing up for his 'rights' (and lefts) against threats to the water environment. The 2009/2010 autumn/winter range also features luxuriously soft and breathable bamboo hoodies for women in two-tone colourways of turquoise or black with pewter contrast. The men's range includes a heavyweight hemp/organic cotton zip track-top in Sand/Grey Marl.

All of the clothing is made from eco-fibres that are sustainable and less polluting. Most importantly they raise essential funds to help protect the UK's beaches, waves, and coastline. You can visit the SAS online shop at surfers against sewage shop.

CLICK IMAGE BELOW TO SEE CLOTHING FROM THE LATEST RANGE

With many of us becoming eco conscious, traditionally white weddings are taking on a proverbial green hue as some brides opt for energy efficient and recycling aspects to their big day.

However, it's often hard to find suppliers who cater for these demands. Until now that is.
The Green Bride Guide, launching this month, claims to be the "yellow pages" for all things green and bridal.

Via Bridalwave

Looking for something special for your green goddess this Valentines? All the gifts ideas I've picked out here are both girlfriend-friendly and green as grass. From ethically-mined gold pendants to non-toxic, fragrant soy candles, there's plenty here to delight. I've even included one or two that come with an additional free gift -- but don't tell!

Click on the image below for details on each product.

Related: Valentine's gifts for men

Guys have a reputation for being hard to buy for, but I had no trouble digging up these great valentine's gift ideas, each of which gives something back to the planet. Click on the image below to see my top picks for men, and show how much you care by picking a green gift this year.

Even if you've never been to London, the odds are you'll know about Covent Garden, and will most probably regard it as being tourist central. But having worked here for years I can personally vouch for the fact that there's more to the place than meets the eye, and it's been a centre of craft in the capital for hundreds of years.

The Apple Market is the best place to find hand-made goods; it's packed with jewellery, clothing and gifts, all of which are made within the UK. And you can now browse sellers online so why not check it out for some valentine's ideas?

We've done some fairly extensive research into what eco-minded individuals want as treats this Christmas, but what do you give the green guy or girl who is already knee deep in energy-saving gadgets, vegan shoes and paraben-free face wash?

One idea that's bound to go down well (and you'll also still be able to get your hands on three days before Christmas, ahem) is films, books and other forms of entertainment based around the very subjects that have us going green in the first place: what I will clumsily refer to here as eco-entertainment. And this year, shop shelves have been brimming with it.

Follow the jump for a roundup.

Ha ha ha. So you probably knew that Saturday 20th - tomorrow - is the last UK First Class posting date before Christmas.

Were you, like me, planning to do a rush job on your Christmas cards and fling them at a postbox sometime in the next 24 hours?

And did you, like me, not realise that today, 2,000 postal workers will close seven sorting offices as part of a postal strike?

Ha ha ha. Erm. Never mind! Our friends over at Dollymix have compiled a Top 5 charity ecard list!

So come with me over the jump and let's send our wishes of the season in a way that helps those less deserving than us, treats our planet with respect, and doesn't depend on the vagaries of the UK postal system....

This year has been a great one for ethically-minded parents, and it feels like not a day went by in 2008 when someone didn't alert me to a new toy, clothing label or washing product designed specially for children. There was the launch of Method's new kids range, a delicious-smelling selection that makes bathtime lots of fun, a menagerie of wonderful handmade soft toys including the lovable Bobby Dazzler range, and a real treat for young fashionistas with a clothing range from Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late crocodile hunter.

As the smaller, more sustainable toy companies flourished we saw the big giants flounder, as Mattel's 'biodegradable Barbie' failed to convince savvy parents that the stunt was anything more than greenwash. But what have we liked in the world of eco-friendly toys? Follow the jump for our favourites, all of which are small and affordable enough to go in stockings.

Follow the jump for stockist details

Related: Eco-friendly stocking fillers for her | Eco-friendly stocking fillers for him

This wonderful concept didn't quite fit in any of our gift roundups, but I liked it so much I felt I just had to share. Inspired by 'nature's instinct to survive', it's a planting pot shaped like a miniature manhole. Available at Generate Design.

If you've had cause to pop over there recently, you may have noticed that I've been diong a spot of writing for Shiny's wedding blog, Bridalwave. The site is very switched on to the fact that many couples are chosing to go green on their big day, and that's at least partly because its editor, Camilla Chafer, is very eco-minded herself. A former Hippyshopper contributor, Camilla has a good eye for the finer green and ethical things of this world, so I've invited her back today to share with us her Christmas wishlist.

Click on the image to see what Camilla's hoping to unwrap this Christmas...

Related: All I want for Christmas #4: Kate from Greenfinder | All I want for Christmas #3: Mrs. Green | All I want for Christmas #2: Sarah Woodhead | All I want for Christmas #1: Abi

Today's plea for green gifts comes from Kate Haines of ethical shopping directory Greenfinder. Kate's let her inner hippy run free with her gift choices, from holistic silk slippers to bags of fresh lavender, she'll be in for some good karma in 2009!

Click on the image below to see Kate's pick of the best eco-friendly gifts

Related: All I want for Christmas #3: Mrs. Green | All I want for Christmas #2: Sarah Woodhead | All I want for Christmas #1: Abi

When I asked Mrs. Green from My Zero Waste what she wanted for Christmas, I knew she'd pick out some seriously sustainable and guilt-free gifts, but she's got a real eye for style, too. (OK, so one of her choices was a heating system, but she managed to indulge her more frivilous side for at least the first six!)

There are plenty of ideas here that would make ideal presents for friends and family if you're aiming at an ethical Christmas, but for extra green points, check out Mrs. Greens tips on eco-friendly giftwrap.

Click the image below to check out what she selected.

Related: All I want for Christmas #1: Abi | All I want for Christmas #2: Sarah Woodhead

I've bored you all with my own wish-list, so thought it was only fair that others got the chance to share their wishes for a gift-filled Christmas, too. Today's list is from Sarah Woodhead, editor and founder of GreenMyStyle, and as you might have guessed, it's a very fashion-savvy

Do you have a Christmas wishlist featuring green and ethical products you'd like to share with us? Please email us the details if so and we'll publish it. Santa may just be reading...

Tomorrow: Mrs. Green from My Zero Waste

Related: All I want for Christmas #1: Abi