How to Plan the Perfect Valentine's for Your Husband:

Celebrate the love you feel for your husband this Valentine's Day by going out of your way to make it just perfect. It doesn't have to be expensive or complicated; rather, a successful Valentine's Day results from thoughtful planning and paying attention to the small details that you know matter to him.

A great opportunity to remind one another of the love and companionship you share, Valentine's Day gives you the chance to do things differently for a day, to shake out the humdrum of everyday life. So, seize the opportunity presented by Valentine's Day to warm your husband's heart.

• Be the one to do the wooing. The traditional treatment of Valentine's Day carries an unstated but usually honored belief that it is the man who does the wooing and goes out of his way to make the occasion special. Make a change by taking charge and wooing him instead. It'll surprise him and he'll enjoy it.
• Plan a surprise. Romance is just perfect when it's unexpected. Make a plan as to what you'll do to surprise him, such as having flowers sent to his workplace, packing him an empty lunch and then showing up with his favorite lunch food, or taking him somewhere for the evening that you know he really enjoys, such as a restaurant, the movies, a walk on the pier, or a ride in the fairground. Do all of the planning so that you're not at a loss for what to do and so that you can make bookings or buy tickets in advance if needed.
• Dress up. Where appropriate, dress up as much as possible to make it a really special occasion. Obviously, if you're horse riding or surfing the waves, you'll need to consider clothing changes but for the formal and dressy parts of the date, look your best. Taking care to remind him of how stunning you are is only one part of the dressing up; it's also about feeling your best and about showing you care enough to make the effort for a special occasion.
• Be spontaneous; be playful. For one day put all your responsibilities out of your head and put your husband at the top of the list. Think back to how things were when you first dated and try to recreate the thrill of initial romance when daily cares weren't interfering the way they do now. It's one day of being dates again!
• Let the world revolve around him for the day. Spend the day hanging on his every word and laughing at his every joke. Or secretly try all day long to find out a few new things to like about him. This might involve trying something new together, like eating oysters, or just browsing the bookstore. Or let him teach you something, how to drive a golf ball or shoot a shotgun.
• Remember to say "I love you". Be the first to get this valuable phrase out into the open and pepper it into conversation throughout the day. Don't overdo it, though, or he'll cringe every single time you mention it; he may start to take your repetition of the phrase as criticism that he doesn't say it to you often enough. Don't miss opportunities to say "I love you" without words, to add variety to your expression.