A commercial Excuse?

For many people, Valentine's Day is little more than a commercial excuse to charge large amounts of money for cards, chocolates and any other conceivable gift. However, it doesn't just have to be about this. Letting people know you care about them is important, not just on Valentine's Day, but all year round, but Valentine's Day is as good a day as any to do so, so why show your partner how much you care, without buying into the commercialism of the day?

Spend the Day Together
Simply spending time with someone can show them you care. Do something together that your partner is interested in. For many people, having the time to spend a day together is difficult, so why not use Valentine's Day as an excuse to spend the day together? If they are the outdoors type, go rock-climbing together or go paintballing – nothing says "I love you" like being hit with a large blob of paint! Otherwise, just take the day off to hang out – maybe go for a walk together, or go and see a film, and just enjoy each others company.

Do Something For Them
It's very easy to fall into the trap of not doing things for others, often despite our best intentions. If your partner always does the cooking, perhaps its time to lend a hand, or even cook her a surprise valentine dinner? Doing things for your partner is something you can do all year round to show you care, but if you have to start some time, why not Valentine's Day?
Showing someone you care is a year round thing, not a one day a year thing, however, there is no harm in sending them a subtle reminder on Valentine's Day, or if you, like me are one of those who often takes things for granted, the 14th of February can be as good a day as any to turn over a new leaf!