Perhaps next year you can train yourself to pick up on these clues and jot things down in your palm pilot or cell phone notepad as she mentions them. As for this year, take a deep breath and read on to learn about the most common pitfalls and misconceptions guys have about this holiday.

One common myth is that “It is okay to skip Valentine’s Day.” The first thing you must realize is that yes, Saint Valentine Day is an over-hyped “Hallmark” holiday, but no, you can’t skip it, yet you don’t have to celebrate in any pre-ordained, specific way.

The reality is that women always talk about their romantic Valentines Day ideas and plans at work or with friends. Suddenly it becomes a tool for social comparison and gauging one’s own relationship.

However, this doesn’t mean you have to lose sleep over several consecutive days fretting about how to make this holiday “bigger and better” than what everyone else is doing. Rather, you can celebrate low-key, just be sure to plan something you both enjoy and make it appear thoughtful. Low on cash?

Cook her a pasta dish, buy a bottle of wine, decorate with candles, turn on the music and hand her a nice hand-written love letter for dessert. She won’t be complaining.

Love help experts find that many new couples have the toughest time figuring out Valentines gift. Some guys opt to just “skip it” because it will be “too awkward.” However, if he ignores the holiday, then she’ll assume he’s not really that interested in her, which will be the first major strike against him.

From then on, many other actions (or lack thereof) could also be misinterpreted that way. Instead, why not plan something less romantic and more fun? Try taking a cooking class, a dance class, going to a comedy show, seeing a movie.

Do something fun and out of the ordinary. The ideal gifts will be thoughtful but not too personal, such as board games, health and beauty products, books or DVD sets. There are many things to do on a budget: go ice-skating, pack her favorite foods into a picnic basket, rent a movie, give her a massage, or buy her Valentines Day chocolate truffles.

Over the years, dinner has become a staple of Valentines Day celebrations. However, according to Valentines Day gift ideas experts at www.askmen.com, there is the problem of originality. Some couples often go out to dine, so it’s not all that special.

Additionally, restaurants will be packed! Even if you decide to go the make-her-a-meal route, it might seem too contrived. Instead, you can opt for something a little out-of-the-ordinary, like a couples massage, roller skating, a museum date, a jazz show, dancing classes or a carriage ride.

There are tons of alternatives! By looking out for these pitfalls, you can avoid a catastrophe and use your Valentines gift or activity as a catalyst for your relationship’s future.