Did you seriously just pick up a lame teddy bear and some chocolates from Shoppers Drug Mart for Valentine's day? C’mon, you’re better than that.

On the second biggest gift-giving holiday of the year, we find it’s usually men that tend to screw themselves with amazingly awful Valentine’s Day gifts. Now, this doesn’t mean all you men suck at Valentines, just the few that steal flowers from their neighbours garden for gifts.

So guys, don’t waste $200 this year on a mediocre “Italian bistro” and the last bouquet of roses in the store that may turn your Valentine’s Day into a Singles Awareness Day. Here’s a guide on what not to buy, plus a few suggestions on how to make her smile.

Don’t wait until last minute to figure out something

Do it now. Do not wait until the 13th to attempt to get a dinner reservation, because you won't get one and will end up at Mcdonalds. If you’re planning on staying in and cooking, thats totally fine, but go shopping a couple days before and make a plan, things taste better when they’re not last minute and rushed. Hint: trying to plan a special night for Valentine’s Day ON Valentine’s Day doesn’t usually work out too well.

Instead: Plan a date night early at 'your place', somewhere special to both of you (even if you're too manly to admit it there's always that one place.) Or prepare her favourite meal, and enjoy a relaxing night in. Order her favourite flowers in advance so you know they’ll be there on the day when you really need them. It’s the little things like thinking in advance so you’re not stuck with whatever last minute place or flowers you can find.

Avoid anything heart shaped

That includes stuffed animals holding hearts, heart jewellery, heart-themed office supplies (there’s post-it notes), and most of all, heart-shaped pizzas. Of all the days, you'd think February 14th would be the best day to giver her that heart necklace, it make sense right? Wrong, it’s like giving someone a Santa sweater on Christmas: nobody wants one, and it only works one day out of the year... For the other 364 days, seeing that heart-shaped “I Wuv You!" mouse pad will make her and her roommates throw up a little.

Instead: Show off your cutesy side (we know you have one) with a fun and quirky video love letter, or buy her something she actually needs. Whether it’s a new toaster or some new sheets, something useful is always a good gift. How about instead of the small heart shaped pizza, just get a large pizza, why? It’s more pizza….

Steer clear of giving her a social media gift

We’re not sure why this still needs to be addressed but at this age sending her a relationship request on Facebook is not a Valentine’s gift. Neither is a Tweet declaring “#LoveYouBabe”. It's hard to be genuinely sentimental in 140 characters or less, okay, so maybe just don’t. Using your social network as your Valentine's Day card tells her, “Hey, I’m lazy, but I did have four extra minutes in between class and video games.”

Instead: Can’t help giving a virtual gesture of your love? Check out Pinterest! Make an account and a new board with a tribute to show off her obsession for bulldogs, the 15 layer chocolate cake you’ll bake for her, and the white sand beaches you’ll fly her to. Show her you know her without posting a series of 4 Instagram pictures about your love.

Do not buy something meant for you

If you find yourself saying, “Now she can finally cheer on the Leafs/play video games/hunt wild boar with me!” - Stop, it’s a red flag to rethink your present immediately. Under the pretence of spending more time together, meaningful gifts should be something that would truly make her happy and not something that benefits you. Your gift shouldn't say, “I want you to think I bought this for you when really it’s for me.” Valentine’s Day is about the person you love, not your love for a hockey team that will never be good.

Instead: Still using her parents Netflix account? Here’s an idea, pay for it for her, then fill the 'watch later' list of movies you both want to see! If you include Scarface, then make peace with sitting through the Titanic. Another great gift that can be mutually beneficial, Apple Music or Spotify! Then create a playlist of your favourite music and encourage her to share her musical must-haves too.

Rethink novelty gifts
(Hint: No one actually likes them)

Just because she loves Hello Kitty, doesn’t mean she wants a Hello Kitty toaster.

She loves that you know her interests and quirks, and it’s endearing that you Googled the weird, wacky stuff people created for dog lovers and cupcake enthusiasts. But we don’t want you wasting your money on novelty purchases that will get shoved in the closet come February 15th.

Instead: Go experiential and make it an unforgettable Valentine’s Day. Deal sites like Groupon feature coupons for almost any couples activity. Whether dinner at your favourite places, a couples massage or adventure-bound activities like kite-surfing and samurai sword training it’s sure to make a unique gift.

What it really comes down to is being thoughtful. Maybe your Valentine would adore a teddy bear the size of a Smart Car, can’t stand the thought of getting in a hot air balloon, or hates Valentine’s Day altogether. No list of what to-do’s and what, not to-dos can replace knowing what it really takes to make her smile.