Valentine’s Day is a day created to make card companies, chocolate companies, and flower shops make big bucks, but this is no excuse for you men to neglect your Valentine’s responsibility. It is your responsibility on this day, which only happens once a year, to show your girlfriend or wife how much you love them. Do not hurt your lady’s feelings by thinking little of her gift, if you do. Think of all the work you do around the house; preparing your meals, cleaning up after you, doing laundry, and babysitting. Regardless of how you feel about Valentine’s Day, you should make your girl feel loved and appreciated, unless you want to end up on the couch.

Thinking about what you are going to do will make a difference. You don’t have to have money to make Valentine’s Day special. Get up early and fix her breakfast in bed, and don’t forget to put a single rose on her tray. As cheesy as it sounds, make little sticky notes with sayings from your heart (like “You are the best part of me”, “I want to grow old with you”, etc.) and put them in drawers, cabinets or anywhere you find them along of the day. Take a picnic and surprise her at her favorite outdoor spot, or even have a candlelit picnic by the fireplace in her own living room. If you don’t have money to spend, she knows it, but it doesn’t take money, just think to make her feel special.

If your girl is waiting for something that will cost you some money, just listen. You can leave subtle clues as to what you want for Valentine’s Day. If it doesn’t, again all you have to do is give it some thought. If you are buying her flowers, send them to her workplace with a sweet heart note or a favorite love poem. Do you both have time to go out at night? Find a Bed and Breakfast or a good hotel for an unusual night. Anything that creates treasured memories is worth its weight in gold.

You may be like me and think Valentine’s Day is silly, but it doesn’t matter, you need to make your girl feel special. Don’t get a cheap card and box of chocolates at the last minute. Just show her that you have thought about her and you won’t end up in the dog house.