In days past, a typical Valentine's Day gift trawl would consist of browsing countless shops at a mall, paging through the phone book, or begging your sister for some advice, all in the hope that you'd find the perfect gift for your partner. In this day and age, all of this has been replaced by a simple Google search.

The internet-age has spawned some enterprising websites which offer 'gifts' for Valentine's Day — from flower-delivery services to ubiquitous e-cards. But what if you don't have a clue what the cute brunette sitting across the office likes?

Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace make life much easier, so have a look at his or her profile (stalkers should already be ahead of the game).

There are a variety of gifts and services available on the web if you'd like to find that something special for your loved one. Here are some ideas:

What's available online?

While many people have heard of e-cards, very little have used them. Using websites such as www.e-cards.com, you can create an e-card by setting a picture, background, music and message for your Valentine. Another unique option is the ability to send it at a future date — a useful feature if you're away from the computer or you're simply forgetful.

If you are a stickler for price or you just need some cool ideas www.mykindaprices.com allows you to compare the prices of different 'gifts', from flowers to weekends away, and perhaps even belly dancing classes…

The oft-followed tradition of flower deliveries has been simplified by the web. There are the usual sites such as www.kalahari.net or www.netflorist.co.za for flower deliveries, ranging from a few hundred up to a few thousand rand, so the real question is: How much does she mean to you?

From the clichéd to the downright loony, www.vat19.com offers plenty of 'gifts' such as a wine glass capable of holding an entire bottle of wine and ambient sound DVDs (has the sounds of a hot, crackling fire), I kid you not.

Something a little different

For the intrepid man or woman seeking something a little more memorable, there are many listings for Valentine's Day-related activities online. With www.gumtree.co.za listings such as this one — "Romantic Valentine's Weekend at Langebaan! Champagne on arrival and chocolates on the pillow", there isn't a shortage of romantic getaways to look into.

For someone seeking a thrill or two, there are many agencies dedicated to planning activities such as paragliding, in addition to the less "extreme" activities such as sea and air charters and safaris.

There are also a few specialised sites such as www.giftday.co.za, offering a variety of gifts for him and her — from spa treatments for women to helicopter flying lessons for men, although they don't come cheap.

Going out for dinner

If you're looking for something a little more low-key, you can't go wrong with restaurants. There are sites dedicated to finding an eatery within your price range, such as www.restaurants.co.za or www.dining-out.co.za Be it a four-course meal at Buitenverwachting Restaurant in Constantia or a night of fine dining at the 'Paros at Cantare' in Johannesburg, you'll find something to suit your taste.

A good cause

What do you get for the partner who has everything? Perhaps that warm fuzzy feeling which comes with knowing that they've bettered someone else's life. A perfect start is www.gifts4good.co.za, a website dedicated to eradicating poverty in South Africa.

All it takes is three simple steps. You choose an 'alternative' gift such as a birth certificate for an orphaned child, personalise an electronic gift card for your Valentine and then sit back.

If animals are your thing, adopting a penguin is the next best option. For R500 you get a photograph of your adopted penguin, an adoption certificate, the option of naming him or her and a letter of adoption, which includes a brief medical history. Unfortunately, you can't keep the penguin, so there goes the joy of guano-stained carpets…