Happy Valentine's Day

Be my Valentine.  (internet image)

There are just two shopping days left until Valentine's Day when this blog drops on February 12 - do you know what you are doing for your valentine?

Flowers are a trusty stand-by, but it is important to know your audience - does your love really like flowers or do they look at the dozen long-stemmed beauties as shells of their former selves which will soon be dried and thrown away?

Chocolates are usually good but make sure your beloved isn't on a diet or some kind of health kick.  On the other hand, giving someone sugar-free 'health' food isn't fun either, so watch out.

Above all, don't give a gift card.

Valentine's Day is about expressing your love and a gift card shouts, "I have no idea what you want and am too lazy to go get it, so knock yourself out."

A special evening is a good plan - as long as there is a plan.  If you get into the car and ask where they want to go... well, in that case you lost the holiday.

Write a card personally; share memories of your first date; print and frame an important photo of a wonderful moment you shared.

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be a Hallmark day - it just needs to be from the heart.

So go ahead, you have two days to pull it together and the clock is ticking.

Happy Valentine's Day.