Ten Ways to Dazzle a SAHM/Housewife on Valentine's Day

As a housewife who works from home in addition to taking care of my child and someone else's all day, most of what is on my wish list for Valentine's Day -- or any other holiday -- is not material. Here is a list of the ten most wonderful things you can do for your wife on Valentine's Day.

#1. Give her a break. Arrange for her to have a day at a spa or a visit with a massage therapist. Hiring a maid to come over and tidy up while your wife is relaxing will be an added bonus. With her physical stress relieved, and no longer having to fret about housework, she will be grateful for this gift for weeks to come. Be sure to book childcare for the kids, and make sure its with people she trusts. You don't want her worrying about Junior all day.

#2. Help her out. If you notice something needs to be done, do it without being asked -- just for today. Volunteer to help with the kids. Take out the trash. Tidy up, especially if you cannot afford maid services. Organize the clutter. Make a dent in that pile of laundry that never seems to go away. She will appreciate this, even if the clutter and laundry accumulates again days later. And it will.

#3. Say something nice. Compliment her. Tell her you love her. Say thank you when she does something for you or the family. Admire her as she brushes her hair, getting ready to go out. Speak kindly to her. You can make her evening simply by being agreeable and courteous. Call her while you're at work, or meet her and the kids on your lunch break. Remind her what a thoughtful gentlemen you truly are.

#4. Cook dinner, or take her out. Just don't let her prepare the evening meal. She will be thankful at not having to spend her time in front of the stove. Do the dishes, too, if there are any. If you go out, there is no after-dinner mess to clean. That leaves more time for lovin'!

#5. Buy her something that makes her feel beautiful, loved, and appreciated. She does not want a new vacuum for Valentine's Day. The old classic of flowers and chocolate will do. The flowers say to her "You're beautiful," and chocolate releases endorphins that make us feel similar to being in love. To make her feel appreciated, you could buy her something expensive -- or offer her a favor that will demonstrate your own gratitude. Jewelry, being that it is usually costly, can accomplish that, but it can get old. You have to be creative. Even a card with a heartfelt message will do. Flowers and chocolate never get old, but they aren't enough.

#6. Surprise her by doing something unexpected and new. This can be whisking her away for a romantic evening of dinner and dancing at a restaurant you've never visitted before. Even doing something slightly different in the bedroom will make the evening more memorable. The idea is to let her escape from the ordinary, repetitive cycle of daily life. It is going to start again tomorrow; give her today.

#7. Meet her desires. Has she been asking to do or go somewhere for a while? Give in to her wishes. Is there a book she hasn't read since her childhood and mentions occasionally with a sigh? Track it down. Did she lose the bracelet you bought her for your first anniversary? Find a replica. Do something sweet and thoughtful that shows you really are listening, and you remember every word.

#8. Don't buy her a huge teddy bear. Sure, teddy is adorable, but he takes up a lot of room and serves no function. He'll probably end up in the playroom with kids bouncing all over him in a few weeks. If you're going away for a while, a small teddy bear -- maybe sprayed with some cologne -- can make a great a great gift. Otherwise, just buy her perfume instead. Make sure it's a scent you'll both like.

#9. Groom yourself. Trim your fingernails AND your toenails. (Don't paint them, unless you're both into that.) You can pluck your eyebrows if you want, but make sure to shave (if she prefers) and trim your nose hairs. Take a shower. Put on some deoderant and cologne. Brush your teeth, and buy some breath mints. Avoid cigarettes and breath-contaminating food. If you're a man who usually does this anyway, you're ahead of the game! Instead, do something she keeps asking you to do. Shave where the sun don't shine, if she's requested that, or get your hair cut in a way she loves. Dress nicely, but casually -- unless you're going somewhere truly expensive.

#10. Tip your server well if you go out to dinner. Tonight is not a night to be cheap. You don't have to leave a %50 gratituity, but at least %15-20 would be nice. Even if your server is rude or harried, leave a decent tip. Showing your compassion, understanding, and generosity is a big turn on. More importantly, if the server hits on your wife, tip him good. Explain to her that it's because he has wonderful taste in women. (You might add that perhaps you feel sorry for him that he's not lucky enough to score with such an amazing lady.)

The most important thing to do, no matter how much or little you spend, is make the day special. Make her feel special. Interupt the tedious cycle of housework and errands for just one day. Treat her like a queen, and act like her handsome prince or knight in shining armor. Remind her why it is you fell in love with her in the first place and that she will always be a goddess in your heart. That is what we women want most of all.