1. Don’t make it about you. This covers everything for your Valentine’s Day date; from the conversation, to the itinerary. Maybe leave that new action movie for another time. Or that chick flic. The best way to show them you care is to sacrifice your preferences in exchange for theirs. Compromise and find something you both will love.

2. Do leave the phone alone. That seemingly indispensable device, connecting us to people and events miles away, inherently removes us from those in our real-life sphere. Wow, that sounds heavy! Basically, leave the social media alone for the evening and you’re less likely to be distracted from good stuff, like face-to-face conversation. But bring it anyway, just in case you need to live-tweet your date from hell.

3. Avoid sending gifts, such as flowers, to the office of your loved one. I know, it’s common and could make him or her feel great, but it can also be embarrassing and bring unwanted attention to some, especially if it’s early in your relationship. When in doubt, offer in person. If you receive a bouquet or a package at work, be discreet and sensitive to the love lives of others, who are not in your bubble of bliss. Discreetly call or text your loved one to thank him.

4. Valentine’s Day is always on February 14th and we all celebrate on that day. To decrease the pressure, one option is to plan an activity on another less coveted date, such as during the following weekend. As a bonus, you could benefit from better service and a little extra attention. You might also choose to ignore this celebration … But be careful: this decision, like that of shifting the day, is a decision that must be made by the two of you! Make sure your loved one agrees.

5. No matter what gift or card you offer, it must be personalized to your sweetheart’s likes and suit his or her personality. Tell, toast or write what you love and appreciate and why. Don’t be afraid of being redundant and of repeating yourself. Everyone loves knowing that they are loved and for what reasons. It feels good, it reassures, it energizes and it is delights to know that we are loved.