1. STICKING TO CLICHES
Sure, roses are beautiful and what girl doesn't like chocolate, but puhlease! They're so predictable. “Buying flowers or a box of chocolates takes no creativity,” says relationship expert Dr Bonnie Eaker Weil, author of Make Up, Don't Break Up. “Women like to know that you've put some thought into personalising a gift.”

In order to get your girlfriend something she really wants, you'll have to listen to her. Don't worry, she's probably dropping clues for you to pick up on. So when she starts raving about red licorice or a certain beach bag she saw, buy it. To really impress the pants off her, give it to her when she least expects it.

2. BUYING CHEESY LINGERIE
The lace bustier thing might look hot on Heidi Klum, but you'd better be sure it's your girlfriend's style before you bring it home. “Guys have a tendancy to buy things they like, but not necessarily what their girlfriend likes,” says psychotherapist Carolyn Bushong, author of Bring Back The Man You Fell In Love With. Worst-case scenario, she doesn't wear it, right? Wrong! “If it's not to her taste, she'll feel like you don't know her at all,” says Weil. (This is one of those things she'll bring up months later in the middle of a totally unrelated argument.)

So sift through your girlfriend's underwear drawer and take note of her sizes and what she already has. Or flip through a lingerie catalogue with her and ask her what she likes. This way, you'll have a mental picture of what she enjoys wearing.

3. STOPPING BY UNEXPECTEDLY
It's nice when you drop by, “just to say hi,” but we'd appreciate a call first. “Women like to be at their best when they're with their boyfriends, so if they have a cucumber mask on their face, the last thing they want is for you to show up,” says Bushong. We do love spontaneity, but we mean, “Surprise! Weekend trip to the snow.” Not, “Surprise! I was in the neighbourhood!”

If you want points for springing something on her, tell her to reserve Friday night for you, but don't tell her what's in store. Then surprise her by taking her to see her favourite band or whisking her away for the night. One caveat: she'll want to know what to wear, so tell her if it'll be a jeans kind of activity, or something a little more fancy.

4. LETTING THE SAP FLOW
Generally, poetry and long love letters make us cringe. “A woman wants to know you're crazy about her, but if you lay it on too thick, it comes across as needy,” warns Bushong. Right or wrong, we still want out men to be, well, men and all that sappy crap just comes across as a little wussy. Another no-no: declaring your love in public. Hearing a love-song dedication on the radio from a boyfriend isn't romantic, it's embarrassing.

The most important thing is to be yourself and express your affection in your own way. So if you want to let her know how you feel, jot her a quick note or send her an email, but use your words, not some corny lines you stole from a greeting card.