Many times we fall prey to the pressures of society and feel like we have to keep up with the Jones’ when most times, the best gifts that come from the heart are imaginative, thoughtful and low cost. In fact, there are many ways you can show your love for someone on valentine’s day by getting them the perfect gift that doesn’t cost any money at all.

Here’s a few ideas:

1. Love Coupons. nothing says I Love You more than a coupon book full of redeemable favors for your partner. You can have a lot of fun by creating ones that are specific to your relationship. If you have kids you can even get them in on it, and make a day out of it.

2. Romantic Sleepover. Get a babysitter (if you have kids), and have your own picnic and/or sleepover in the living room around the fireplace. Let yourself be free of all inhibitions and don’t worry about the silliness of it. It’ll be fun.

3. 100 Reasons. Create a long list of 100 Reasons That I Love You. Wrap it nicely, and/or create it in a crafty booklet, photo album, or other unique idea.

4. Love Notes. Leave love notes all around the house where you’ll know your partner will come across them throughout the day. In their wallet or purse, in the bathroom, under the pillow, etc. The love notes could even be love coupons!

5. New Vows. If you’re married, surprise your partner with a new set of vows over a nice candlelight dinner at home.

6. Window Shopping. You can go window shopping and discuss all your future dreams together. Maybe even go to some open houses to look at a couple dream homes during the day.

7. Spa Treatment Yes, this one can be free too! If you prepare a candlelit bath, your partner’s favorite music, and add a sensual massage, you have all the makings of a romantic spa treatment right in the comfort of your own home!

However, love and romance is a two-way street, at least we all hope it to be, and there are still an abundance of women who feel the desire to find the perfect gift for their man on February 14th each year.

With Valentine’s day coming so soon after Christmas, and women not having the obvious choices like heart-shaped boxes of chocolates and a dozen long stem roses, there is usually a little more thought involved in the gift giving, decision-making process.

Or is there?

Just like Christmas, a Valentines day gift for him should come from the heart. The only real difference is that on February 14th, this particular gift should encapsulate your love for him and shine with a romantic beam. Keep in mind that sometimes it’s the way you present the gift that will spark the romanticism of the day as opposed to the gift itself.

Add a magic touch

When you are choosing a Valentine’s gift for him this year, give the following some thought and maybe add your own little personal touch to them.

For instance, are you always getting him to run errands for the smallest things? Why not insist that he goes to the grocery store for tampons right this second (as soon as he wakes up), but when he opens the car door he sees a note telling him to come back upstairs for a gift (and thanks for being a great guy!)

If you have this frame of mind when choosing a gift for him, then the possibilities of what to get him are really endless. Remember, it is about the thought, imagination, and you making him feel special on Valentine’s day, not the actual material things.

The first thing you should do when embarking on a mission to choose a Valentine’s day gift for her, is to relax. This should be seen as a pleasurable experience with nothing on your mind except the warm fuzzy feelings you get when you think of how much you want to make her feel loved on this day.

To do this without the stress involved, it helps to go about it like any other action that you want to go well. You plan it out.

The first thing you’ll want to do is consider her likes and dislikes. There is nothing romantic about buying something that she doesn’t like. In fact, if she loves red roses and you bring her home yellow daisies, it won’t go over well. Not to say that she won’t (or shouldn’t) appreciate you taking the time to buy her flowers, but the idea is to make her feel special and you’ll do that by remembering what her favorite flower is.

One of the best things you can do for valentine’s day is instead of rushing out and grabbing a gift on the way home from work, plan out an actual day for her.

Now, that doesn’t mean you have to plan a day trip out of town or do anything too extreme, but make it a day that’s all about her and showing how much you appreciate her and her love.

This is where the planning part comes into play. If you plan it out well ahead of time, giving her a full valentine’s Day that’s all about her can be pretty stress-free but mean the world to her.

The only thing about planning a full day for her is that she will probably need to be in on it  – at least part of it to know she has to be available for a full day/evening.

As an example, you could have her Valentine’s Day car waiting with her favorite breakfast on the table when she awakes. A trip to the spa and a light lunch could follow. What about a drive down to the beach and a walk on the boardwalk. Yes, it might be chilly, but it’s romantic to snuggle and walk. If you do not have the budget for an evening dinner out, then maybe plan to watch two of her favorite chick flicks and share a bottle of her favorite wine?

You know her best, but you get the point. Really think about her, what she likes, and plan a full day around her and show her that you really were thinking of her today.

Here’s 5 ideas for either a man or a woman that you can use to create the perfect Valentine’s day gift for your loved one this season. You are sure to hit the mark with or without purchased items in this list:

1. Kill procrastination. No, I’m not talking about running out and getting a card from Hallmark a week early this year. What I mean is get something done that your loved one has been nagging you to do for-ev-er! Trust me, everyone has an unresolved task that their loved one would LOVE them to finish or get started on.

Make that happen, and then declare it in a note inside your Valentine’s Day card. Your time, but most importantly, your acknowledgment of something that’s important to them, is your gift and that will be greatly appreciated!

2. Reunite. Spread the love beyond yourselves as a couple. Why not contact an old friend or family member that has been out of touch for a while. You would not believe the emotional charge one can get from a reunion with someone who meant a lot on the past.  Even if it is impossible to have them meet in person, a phone call or a Skype video session would still be spectacular!

3. Chef Valentine. Think cooking a meal for your loved one as a valentine’s day gift is kinda boring? It doesn’t have to be.  What about whipping up the exact meal that you had on your first dinner together. The taste and smells of past memories are extremely powerful, even if that special memory is tequila and chicken wings. It’s not about the stereotypical dinner for two, it’s about reconnecting by reliving a fond memory. If you also went to a movie on that special night, rent it. What music was playing? play it. You get the idea.

4. Archive Memories. This one works well for those couples who have already been together for a while. Photos and video often end up in albums and on film backups that never actually get pulled out again. Why not pic a special memory and display them in a special way like a calendar, or even something you you make yourself. If it’s video, maybe have a DVD made with a special Valentine’s day cover. This one works really well in combination with number 3.

5. The Write Gift! If you’re looking for a gift that costs you absolutely nothing, then writing a love letter or poem to express your love and affection is one of the best gifts you can give. If you have writing skills, it’s a no-brainer, but if you don’t that’s ok! You could simply research some poetry ideas online (or at the library) or an even better idea would be to not worry about prose and just speak from the heart. That’s often the best way to your loved one’s heart!

Sometimes we simply grow, change, and no longer have the same interests. However, love is one joy that is magical, life-giving, and something that always gives us happiness, regardless of the situation we’re in, how old we are, or how busy we are.

If you are married and somehow lost touch with the romantic side that once was, then use Valentine’s day to recapture that spirit.

All it takes is action to keep it exciting!

If you’re busy, use the one 7 mobile devices that you carry for work to remind you to schedule some time for Valentine’s day celebration with your spouse! No, not just an alarm that dings when it’s February 14th, but reminders several weeks before to create a special day for you and your spouse to help rekindle that fire you had when you were younger.

You just need a spark.

If you plan weeks beforehand, then you will not feel the stress of getting things together once the actual day arrives.

Here’s a few things you might want to consider planning well ahead of time:

• Get a babysitter
• Make dinner reservations or plan out your meal for the night (and buy the food)
• Buy a new outfit
• Look online for ideas on a thoughtful gift
• And anything else you’d love to do! Do it!

Surprise your spouse with something unique this year and don’t even bother going to the local florist or the grocery store for a last minute box of chocolates.

Make it meaningful – and that doesn’t necessarily mean expensive. Just make sure it’s from the heart.