I think buying for men on Valentine's day is really hard, after all the day is all set up for women really, flowers, chocolates, a fancy dinner out, these are all really a man's realm (sorry, but it is) and so to actually find something for a man is quite hard. I don't really think men appreciate a bunch of flowers like a woman would and I think my husband would look at me quite strangely if I bought him a big cuddly toy with hearts all over it.

That's not to say you can't be thoughtful and romantic for your man and so here are a few of my tips.

1. A nice card. Sometimes words mean more than anything, especially to me so I either like to pick out a really special card that means something to both of us or I will make one myself and write some really nice words in it about how hard he works for his family, how much I appreciate him, etc.

2. Last year I made my husband some cookies and cut them out using some, "I heart U," cookie cutters. Then before he went to work that morning I put them in his briefcase before he saw and then he had a surprise when he got to work. He said they were yummy and even shared them with some of the other guys so I think he appreciated my effort.

3. A nice dinner - Now, I am a bit of an old romantic and I usually think its nice for the guy to treat his wife/girlfriend/lover to a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant for Valentines day but sometimes when the day falls on a week day and when you now have kids and other responsibilites its not always easy to find a babysitter or go out so sometimes I have made him a really nice meal at home for when he comes home from work. I usually get something a bit different from what we usually have and then I have some candles and set the table nicely so again he can see that I've got to a bit of effort for him.

4. I usually do get him a present too. We don't spend much on each other, he definitely spends more on me than I do on him though but I always think its the thought that counts. He loves music so I usually get him a CD that he has been wanting or I get him some nice chocolates from Hotel Chocolate or something like that.

Valentines for me is about showing the one I love how much I love him and I think that can be done easily and with some thoughtful preparation.