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An engagement happens when two people are so in love, they want to make a formal commitment to one another. You’re a guy, so thinking about proposing to a girl immediately triggers visions of rings. Not the Lord of the Rings–though that would be cool if we could make that work somehow–engagement rings!

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Valentine’s Day means different things to different people. However, one thing is certain: it doesn’t matter how stupid, irrelevant, commercialized and unimportant Valentine’s Day is, it’s not going anywhere. So, men, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to make the woman in your life happy during this holiday. Many men choose to simply buy her something expensive. However, sometimes showing your love through acts of service can be just as important. So, this year you can save some money and spend some time actually doing things to make her happy.

Clean the Entire Home

Chances are, she spends a lot of her time cleaning up after you and the kids. Do you know why she takes care of things like this? Because nothing feels better than a nice, clean home. This year, show her how much you care by cleaning the entire home for her. Remember, this is Valentine’s Day. That means you need to do more than simply vacuum and do the dishes. Think of big ways you can help. Clean the carpets, baseboards and dust everything. It will be a huge help, and she’s sure to notice it. Use succulents as an accent once the house is clean to tie everything together.

Paint the Walls

Perhaps your house is already clean. If so, there are other ways that you can do things around the house. If she’s been talking about putting a fresh coat of paint in one of the rooms, paint it for her while she’s out one day. This will take a bit of planning. Find out what color she wants to paint the walls. Bring it up in conversation, or take a more direct approach by bringing her to the home improvement store in town.

Finish the To-Do List

If your house is clean and walls are painted, then there’s certainly a list of things that she’s been wanting you to do for several months now. Dig out that list and get to work. Don’t stop until you’ve marked everything off of it. She’ll love the fact that you finished everything she has asked you to do. Understand, though, that once you finish it there will certainly still be more that she’ll want you to do. A real man’s work is never done.
Acts of service are a great way to show your love on a deeper level. Be sure to still get her chocolates and flowers, of course. But you can save that diamond necklace for your anniversary. This year, show her how much you love her through acts of service.

If you’re in a relationship, you’re probably aware that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Regardless of your feelings about this holiday, you can’t ignore it.

We updated our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide last week, and now we’re reminding all the procrastinators out there who always wait till the last minute. Fortunately, you can still benefit from Shelly’s advice in the guide.

Whatever you do, it is going to send a signal. You may not know that you are sending it but your gift will be scrutinized like the post mortem victim of a violent crime; not only by your girl but, believe me, by every one of her friends and co-workers, family and potentially, that ex who may be waiting for a second chance!

And the media/marketing machine doesn’t help, either. It seems as though every year; this pseudo-holiday gets bigger and the expectations are raised to insurmountable heights. Whatever it is that you give her will set the tone for your relationship for the rest of the year. This gift you will give to your little Sherlock Holmes offers the clues she needs to define your feelings for her; whether or not you are serious; see her as wife material; think she is fat; aren’t that into her, and on and on in ways which you could never imagine.

Check it out and you’ll get some good ideas. This isn’t rocket science – you just need to put a little thought into it, and we’re here to help.

Now, for those of you who aren’t in a relationship, you don’t have to worry about all this stuff, but this is also an ideal time to get out there and connect with a woman who’s available. Naturally, most women hate being alone on Valentine’s Day, so you’ll find that many of them will be more open to a guy’s advances during this time of year. So, it’s time to brush up on your game and get out there! Check out our dating tips page for great advice from David DeAngelo, and check out the sites listed on our online dating page for websites you can start using. Happy hunting!