Simple Ways to Surprise Your Wife for Valentine's Day

If there's one thing women love, it's romance. Unfortunately, men don't always know what exactly says "I love you" in a way that touches their wife more than a bouquet of flowers. Granted, a bouquet of flowers is nice, but it really only works for men who have constantly sent their favorite gal flowers. The problem is if that you are not bringing them home on a regular basis, when you do send them that translates for us into wondering "What did you do wrong?" rather than "Oh that's so sweet of you." If you send flowers on Valentine's Day only, then that's okay, but it doesn't make that big of an impression. As far as I'm concerned, flowers are great when you first start dating, but beyond that your woman wants something more meaningful, not something that dies in a few days.

What women want is for their man to understand what we go through everyday and maybe go that extra mile to let us know you understand and are willing to chip in. For example, a great way to surprise your gal for Valentine's Day would be to actually let it be her day, so here is a good suggestion to try.

The first thing you want to do is let her wake up on her time, not yours and not the kids. You take care of getting the kids off to school or wherever after you have fed them. If you have a dog, walk it and if you have a cat, feed it. Do whatever it takes so the love of your life doesn't have to do anything. It's easy enough, cheap enough and rewarding enough if you just let her have a whole day where she has no obligations. You may want to meet her awaken to the day with breakfast in bed and when she gets out, I think it is a great idea to wash the sheets (if she hasn't done it lately) and remake the bed. Believe me when I tell you that is one job we really, truly hate. As the day goes on, just think about all the things she does all day long and do them for her, but make sure you do them before she starts. It's one day out of your year, so buck up and do it. Take care of the everyday things, make her dinner and clean up afterward. I guarantee you that will be one of the best gifts you could have gotten her and it doesn't cost a dime.

I completely understand that some of you don't have the time and others, well this type of day could put you six feet under, so there are other alternatives that cost little to nothing, but mean the world to us.

If you can beat us home from work how about greeting us at the door with our favorite cocktail (I loved it when my husband would meet me in the garage with a glass of wine as soon as I pulled in from a long day at work) or any beverage and show some interest in our while you proceed to tell us to relax and that you have dinner cooking on the stove. If you don't cook, bring take-out home with you, but not the fast food kind. Stop by her favorite restaurant as almost all restaurants offer to-go dinners. A simple candle-lit dinner at home, that you will provide and clean up after, really scores points.

If you have very little time due to your schedule, something as quick and easy as scrubbing out the tub and running a bath with all our favorite products dumped in benefits everyone. She gets the benefit of being completely relaxed, you can always join her and by the time she gets out she'll be calm and smelling great.

If neither of you have the time, give her a hand-written coupon for one day all to herself. That might mean that you take the kids out of the house for the whole day so she can relax. It might mean just you leaving for the day. Sometimes women just need some peace and quiet. No one asking her anything or needing anything. We know what we want, so if you leave us alone for a day, trust me we will find a way to spend it that we enjoy.

If you're lucky enough to have great weather on or about Valentine's Day, then another lovely choice is to take her to a beautiful park or the beach and have a picnic. Just pack up some of her favorite foods and a nice bottle of wine and completely cater to her. Throw out a large blanket, maybe even bring a nice little bouquet of simple flowers and just enjoy each other's company. We really relish a nice relaxing day outdoors.