Valentine’s Day is here again, just when we’ve started to realise that we’ll be paying off Christmas credit card debt for months to come. But showing your love for your partner doesn’t have to cost the earth. Instead of the traditional gifts and dinner for two, ask yourself what would make your other half feel special? With a little thought and ingenuity you’ll spend the day with a smile on your face.

10 ways to show you love her

1 Less is more – buy a perfect single red rose and a tall thin glass vase to keep it in: the enduring symbol of romance that will melt her heart.

2 Handmade charm – write out a love poem using an ink pen, a sheet of quality coloured cartridge paper and coloured ink. Tie with a ribbon. Alternatively, make your own Valentine’s card with a personalised message.

3 Dress for romance – if you are eating in, don’t just slouch about in your normal clothes. Shower, put on her favourite shirt, have a shave and apply aftershave.

4 Hidden charm – hide something in her bag that she will discover later – a love note or a single red rose (with no thorns) will put you in her good books.

5 Luxury bubbles – buy her a bottle of divine smelling bubble bath. It doesn’t have to cost the earth.

6 Pop her cork – champagne may be traditional but a good bottle of sparkling wine can be just as tasty. It’s an aphrodisiac too.

7 Hands-on love – give her a face mask or massage oil into her shoulders. Women love manly attention.

8 Music to her ears – write a song for her and serenade her with it. She may look embarrassed, but she’ll be secretly pleased.

9 Hello holiday – show her catalogues and brochures you have researched for your perfect summer holiday. It will give her something to look forward to.

10 Baking beauty – bake a cake or alternatively buy one and ice a personalised message. She will appreciate the effort, and the cake.

10 ways to show you love him

1 Home on the range – cook a special meal at home and set the scene with subtle lighting and music. Book a babysitter so that you can have the place to yourselves.

2 Mend his ways – offer to sew on a button that you know is missing from his favourite shirt so that he can wear it again.

3 Pamper time – run him a bath with bubbles. If you have time a seaweed bath is perfect for cold winter days.

4 Hidden charm – hide something in his briefcase or the glove compartment of his car that he will discover later. A love note will put him in a good mood.

5 Break a habit – make his favourite breakfast, even if it’s a rasher sandwich and ketchup. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

6 Hands-on love – give him a shoulder massage with baby oil.

7 Easy does it – give him a shave. He will enjoy the novelty of it and the one-to-one attention.

8 Be a detective – look around the bathroom for his favourite aftershave then buy him the cheaper shower gel.

9 Cascades of passion – get up earlier than usual and share a shower or bath together.

10 Laughter lounge – rent a DVD with his favourite actor or comedian and settle down to an evening of laughter.