Hit a home run on Valentine’s Day with these tips

There are often times when men strike out with their woman for missing an anniversary, or maybe even a birthday.

Valentine's Day, however, is everywhere! There is no way to miss it, no way to forget the date and no excuse for doing nothing.

Unless the girl in your life despises the "Hallmark-made" day, she should expect the guy to remember.

Here's the thing, men: Valentine's Day is your ticket to get corny. Not a lot of effort has to be put into this day, compared to say, an anniversary.

The big teddy bear, the flowers, the chocolate are all acceptable, especially with a new relationship.

Extra importance must be paid, however, to the delivery, which I will explain toward the end. Cheap, corny gifts are fine, but if you just hand it to your lady with a "here you go," it comes across as pure laziness, which you are of course trying to mask.

Those of you guys who are single, but have a special Valentine in mind, should step up the cuteness factor. Ask her out to something cute like ice skating or dinner at a nice restaurant followed by a nice walk. Make it a group thing if it's more comfortable, but make sure you spend most of the time getting to know her.

A recent article for Redbook magazine by Aaron Traister emphasizes "The Real Reason Guys Hate Valentine's Day." In it, he says men "tolerate it because [women] seem to have some unexplained affection for it." He adds that the holiday is "designed to make men feel like inadequate, insensitive failures."

You should only feel that way when comparing yourself to someone else when you should be focused on how she feels about you.

Evan, a business major, said Valentine's Day "should not be as big a holiday as it is," but still plans to do something on the special day. He said dinner and flowers is usually the way he goes on Valentine's Day.

His girlfriend of four months, Megan, a business major — seemed equally as unexcited about the day.

On Feb. 6, they still had no plans but said they will probably plan something a few days before. She agreed that a nice dinner is usually the way to go.

Most of you guys go out to dinner with your special lady on regular days. Why not on Valentine's Day?

And if you are on a budget, why not cook her dinner? This is something Robert Ponsonby, a mechanical engineering major, plans to do in the future. I caught up with him and his friends to see what single UCF guys think of this holiday.

Ponsonby has no plans on choosing a Valentine this year, but said when he does, he will be sure to make an effort.

"If it's important to her, it's important to me," Ponsonby said.

As the seemingly less excited of the bunch, T.J. Leach, a mechanical engineering major, had a surprisingly good take on it by saying "a long walk on the beach" will be his style.

Cliché? Sure. But, that will be the furthest thing from that woman's mind when you're walking hand in hand with the sand in your toes.

As I mentioned, it's all in the delivery. When you're handing her a corny teddy bear and typical flowers, hold her by the hand, look her in the eyes and tell her everything that is good about "us."

You don't have to have an explanation for why you gave her a white gorilla holding a box of chocolates, just let her know that she deserves everything, including you. Let her know that her gift for the day and the rest of your relationship is your dedication to her.

If she is working during Valentine's Day, send flowers to her job. You can save money on delivery by doing it yourself and making sure she doesn't see you or simply handing it to her. Buy a bunch from Publix and arrange it yourself. It's less expensive and shows her you tried.

Now ladies, do not get upset with him for never doing anything romantic if you have not reciprocated the sentiment.

When I asked the guys what they would like in return, (keeping it as clean as possible) Leach said a woman to make him dinner would be a good sentiment, especially considering that he would do it for them.

Ponsonby preferred a laid back, relaxing day together with his Valentine.

At least one of these seem doable, right ladies?  Valentine's Day need not be a hassle. It can be enjoyable for both as long as you make it a day of love like any other with a special twist.

Happy Valentine's Day, Knights!