5. Dream Date. Take her on a dream date that won’t cost you a dime. Tell her only topic of conversation is to hear about her dreams. What she loves. What she wants to do before she leaves planet. What she’d like to learn. Where she’d like to travel. Who she most admires. Let her talk freely without stopping then write a few down later and help her create her dreams.

6. Use Actions and Words. Show her how much you love her by going out of your way to do little things and then reinforce it by telling her. “I’d be happy to _____ because I want to show you how much I appreciate you” or… “I knew you’d feel special coming home to _____.” or… “I wanted to show you how much I love by _____.” If this seems like too much work you can get a list of Valentine's Day heartfelt expressions at www.shesite.com. You won’t have to depend on your own creative loving juices and she’ll still hear how much you care. 7. Hugs for Health. 4 hugs for survival. 8 hugs for maintenance. 12 hugs for growth. Each and everyday.

8. Bon Appetite. Cook her favorite food. Pick up restaurant delivery and biggest chocolate dessert you can find on way home; or have one of online gourmet delivery options deliver a 5 course meal to your doorstep. Dim lights. Start with chocolate first. Put on an old Sinatra CD and tell her you fully expect that she may not even have an ounce of room in her belly for Pecan Crusted Salmon main course. Get an easy recipe for an intensely chocolate experience with a rich decadent fudgey center at www.shesite.com. This alone will buy you blissful hours of love!

9. Sleep Tight Wishes and Bedtime Kisses. Make very last moment of her day special by kissing her softly, accommodating a simple request like water or Kleenex, pull covers up to her chin, touch her forehead and tell her you love her. Give her a kiss on shoulder first thing in morning too.

And if that doesn’t free you up from Valentine’s Day trap, forget diamonds and make her a handmade sweetheart style, metal shop charm that she can keep close to her heart. There’s nothing more heartwarming than your thoughtfulness, love and handy attention!

WARNING:

DON’T be a complete knuckle head, buy her a card!

For more simple happy fun essentials for every other day of year, take a peek at www.shesite.com.

5. Running out of Food/Drinks

You made guest list. You know how many people you expect to be there. Running out of food is a good way to make sure your guests feel unappreciated and is inexcusable. This is not place to save money. Make sure you have enough dinner and drinks for all who are expected to attend; it’s better to throw some away than have hungry guests and nothing to feed them.

6. Know Where Ring Is Before Walking Down Aisle

It happens more than you might think. The best man is supposed to be holding rings, and he leaves them in his other coat. The bride expects them to be brought on a pillow but ring-bearer is only eight and thought they were golden Barbie doll crowns. Do one more spot check for rings before you start down aisle and you won’t have to worry about an awkward moment and a ruined ceremony.

7. Inviting Your “Ex” – Without Telling Anyone

Unless there is an extremely good reason for inviting your ex-boyfriend or ex-wife, don’t do it. It makes everyone uncomfortable. A close corollary to this is not letting members of wedding party know what your betrothed’s name is (yes, it sounds unbelievable but it DOES happen). If you have not been engaged for a long time, or you recently ended a long-standing relationship prior to your wedding and your wedding party isn’t familiar with your intended, make sure you introduce them. You don’t want to deal with a wedding toast to you and your ex-girlfriend because best man didn’t know your bride’s name!