With Valentine's around the corner, you gents may be wondering what on earth to get for your sweetheart this year. Another dozen roses? Another night out for a candlelit dinner? So Hallmark. Of course, you don't want to make the mistake of going for the straight up home improvement gift like a trash compactor or vacuum cleaner. That speaks of a relationship grown a bit TOO comfortable. And perhaps a predictor of a few nights on the couch or worse yet, the doghouse. 

For the gentleman who shows love more eloquently than he can write about it and whose love language is acts of service, we've compiled a Valentine HONEY-DO List that will say it all. 

1. Caulk it, caulk it good.

Nothing says "I love you" more than getting rid of those nasty molded caulk seams and applying a clean line of new caulk, gleaming and radiant. Instead of looking perpetually grungy no matter how many hours your wife (or you) spends cleaning that shower or bathtub, your bathroom or tub will be instantly refreshed. A little maintenance goes a long way.   

2. Let there be light.

Do you have a two-story light fixture or a some inconvenient light fixture that has been going out one bulb at a time? One light bulb dims, and the room feels negligibly different, but one by one, light bulbs do what light bulbs do, and suddenly your brightly light entrance is a cave or your kitchen feels like you rolled the clock back a century or so and need to light a candle or two.  You're in luck if light-bulb changing is high on your avoid list. New LED technology has come a long way and doesn't feel as "retail" as it used to. The bulbs range in color from soft white to daylight, warm to cool -- and can dramatically change the way your home feels, bright, clean, and inviting. The best news about LED? It will be years until you have to replace it again. Yes, years. 

3. Hang the artwork.

Do you have a few pieces of art or even a whole gallery wall that is lying listlessly waiting for the hammer, nails, graph paper, level, square or possibly a plumb line to come out of the toolbox and hang perfectly straight, spaced, and centered focal point? Well, here's your chance to do it! If you want to be extra romantic, offer to watch the youtube video or read the pinterest article she's pinned with the perfect method for hanging said gallery wall of photos. Get out the kraft paper or post-it notes or wax paper and go for gold. 

4. Build something.

Nothing is more manly than a table saw and a carpenter's tool belt. Show your special someone that you still have what it takes to create ex nihilo. Well, maybe not from nothing, but from supplies at your local Home Depot. How about that drop-zone/locker system she's been asking about for awhile? A place to store and hang all of the details of life as they come in the door? Backpacks? Shoes? Coats and other winter paraphernalia? Check. The great thing about this project is that it is customizable to your level of handiness. If you can handle a paint can, drill, and a stud-finder, a simple application like a coat rack might do. You've got a whole weekend to get working on this Valentine's Day project of organization.  

5. Plank Pose

Last, but not least, say YES to that idea that puts a sparkle in her eye every time she watches her favorite home renovating show -- and put up some planks somewhere in your house! Sweetie, you know that shiplap you've been wanting? Happy Valentine's Day! Choose a small area like an entryway or one wall in a hall bath with minimal cuts, and you have the beginnings of a Valentine's Day project that your wife will never forget. Every time she watches Fixer Upper, she'll be thinking "My husband can do that, too!" And that's what we call a win-win.

We all know that her list is different from yours. Your priority might be getting your siding painted or cleaning the gutters. But true romance is about seeing things from her perspective and taking initiative. What better way than to check off one of these items from our Valentine's Honey-Do List. Don't just read about it; do something!

Coupons for a project by your favorite contractor could work, too. 

Highlighted Vendors:

Never The Rock Photography, Valencia Productions