The stores are already stocking teddy bears clutching ‘I love you’ hearts and enough chocolates to send you into sugar shock.

While much of it might seem like commercial hype, it’s important to remember the real reason behind such a day – love. 

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity - and reminder - to tell that special someone in our lives how much we love and appreciate them. 

In our day-to-day lives, it’s easy to be caught up in the mundane and forget to do those simple things to show our significant others how much we care. 

February 14 is a perfect chance to put in a little extra effort and attentiveness. 

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Book a dinner at a restaurant where you can both relax, enjoy a conversation together and reconnect. 

Surprise them with a bunch of their favourite flowers, or even a simple, single long-stemmed rose with a hand written note. 

Plan a picnic at your favourite spot, surprise them with a sweet treat, or even plan a weekend getaway or get that something they’ve been eyeing off in the stores for a while. 

While gifts are wonderful, ensure you include something which cannot be bought – you. 

And don’t look at the day as a day only for lovers.

If you’re single, it’s a great day to treat and pamper yourself with a little bit of TLC.

Try a new restaurant with your mates, run a warm bath, or fly solo at the movies with no fear of having that movie you secretly want to see vetoed. 

Whatever you do this Valentine’s Day, make sure you make time to spend time with the one you love.

Valentine’s Day – or Saint Valentine’s Day – is a day to celebrate love. 

Marked around the world, the day is associated with both the Roman Empire and Christian religion.  

The day was named in honour of Saint Valentine of Rome who was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry. The thought was that unmarried soldiers were better fighters as they didn’t worry about what would happen to their families if they died in battle. 

It first became a day linked with romantic love in the 14^th century, but it wasn’t until the 18th century that gifts were first used as a way to show one’s affection for another. 

Today lovers express their love for each other with gifts like flowers, dinner and cards known as ‘Valentines’. Traditionally keys are given to lovers as a symbol to unlock the giver’s heart.