Ah yes boys everywhere, it's that time of year again where you're "forced" to show your affection to your significant other. Valentine's Day is so stupid isn't it? All anyone does is just waste their hard earned money on an expensive date, on roses that will die in a week and on candy just to make their girlfriends happy. Blah, right? Wrong. We girls love this day no matter how many times we tell you that we don't -- please, I'm telling you as a girl in a relationship, do not blow it off this year.

I am lucky to have a boyfriend who cares so much about me that he makes Valentine’s Day special every year. However, I have had a fair share of gifts before I started dating him that literally made me rethink my other relationships. Why is it a tradition to wait until the night before to buy your girlfriend a gift to "show" how much you "love" her? Don't give me that lame excuse of forgetting because this is an annual holiday that comes around once a year -- come on guys. I and other girls everywhere don't expect much on Valentine's Day, we just expect a little bit more than "our favorite" box of chocolate and maybe a date if there were reservations available. I mean no matter how much you guys hate the holiday, why is it so hard just to put a little effort in for the girl that loves you so much that she would go to the ends of the Earth for you? You should be excited that you and your significant other actually have time in this busy world to spend a day together, and remind each other of how much you care for one another. It's amazing and, as girls, we aren't expecting a romantic movie scene from you -- we just want your time and for you to show how much we truly mean to you.

So, for all you boys who totally forgot about Valentine's Day and are probably going to just buy a gift the night before, please read what I wrote below so that you don't spend all your money on something dumb that we are probably going to hate later.

Girls don't want much when it comes to feeling loved and appreciated. We love flowers and honestly if that is all my boyfriend could afford for me this year -- even if it was one rose -- I would be a happy and loved girlfriend. They may seem dumb and a waste of money to you, but roses and other flowers are gorgeous to us. I personally love the way they look and I love the way they smell, and I know several of my other of my girlfriends feel the same way. Is it really a waste of money to see the look on your girlfriend's face when you surprise her with flowers? Seriously? It is such a simple way to show how much you love us and you can find them anywhere, so buy them!

We don't want rings and expensive jewelry from you unless you really want to buy it. Trust me, I love anything shiny and sparkly, and I would totally wear any diamonds that my boyfriend bought for me, but that isn't necessarily the best gift to give us if you are looking for something cheaper.

As I girl I can tell you the best gift you can give your girlfriend is your time and energy. You may not have a creative bone in your body, but making something your girlfriend can keep forever is way better than something that they can return to a store. My favorite gifts from my boyfriend were the picture collages he made for me and the special cards and love notes he wrote for me. I know that it took him a long time to make them, and must have taken a lot of thought which proves to me that he must actually love me. Making a coupon book, a mug or a picture frame of the two of you can mean so much more to your girl than any of the pointless crap you go searching for the night before. We love to brag about our boyfriends and the gifts they give us to our friends, so if you take two hours of your day and actually make us something, know that you won tons of points in our books.

Another cheap and simple thing that you as a guy can do is cook for your girl. I honestly think it is so much more romantic to plan out a dinner and romantically dance with your girlfriend around the house instead of taking her out to an expensive dinner that you two might not even enjoy. Last year my boyfriend attempted to make me a spaghetti dinner and I have never had so much fun in my life. He wasn't the best cook in the world and I ended up having to help him make it, but I don't think I've ever had a more fun date than that. I knew that he at least tired for me, and that means more than any perfume or bracelet he could've bought me.

I know times are tough for some of us right now, and I know exactly what it is like to only have $50 to your name, so buying anything could be a problem. If that's the case, then simply cuddling with your girlfriend, watching her favorite romantic movie and telling her how much you love her can be enough for her. I would love to just lay in bed with my boyfriend all day, order a pizza and share all of my favorite movies with him -- I actually might suggest just doing that for this year! Honestly, just taking time away from your phone, friends, video games and sports to lay in bed with your girlfriend watching what she loves is so much better than that candy box you were willing to buy her.

If worst comes to worst and you honestly forget to shop until the night before, that giant teddy bear and flowers will work as well -- who doesn't love a cliché? I just want you guys to know that no matter how much we may say we hate Valentine's Day and that we shouldn't celebrate, please don't listen. This is a day to shower your loved one with affection and that is something your girlfriend is always going to want and love.

So please, it doesn't take a lot to show your girl how much you love her. It can be as simple as taking a pen and paper and writing down everything you love about her. She does a lot for you and actually puts up with you, so showing her how much you care for this one night will mean the world to her. All girls want for Valentine's Day is your love and time so please don't just buy your girlfriend a box of chocolates this year. Surprise her, love her, cherish her -- she deserves it! Happy Valentine's Day!!