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It's that time of the year again when Cupid takes out his little quiver of arrows and sneaks up on unsuspecting lovers all over the world, enticing them to spend their hard earned money on chocolates, fluffy toys and flowers with over-inflated price tags.

Not that I am cynical about love and celebrating it or anything... it's just that I don't like the fact that the price of a dozen red roses can suddenly triple in one day. All in the name of "love".

When I do have a significant other over this time of the year, I tend to do my own thing — most men I know don't like sitting in a restaurant full of couples or buying the traditional gifts.

I have never given jewellery or roses either on the 14th February - all too common. I prefer to make the dinner myself, or have a picnic (complete with candles of course) or even just do something really simple like running a warm bubble bath and offering a massage.

Besides, it's all about a day of spoiling the one you love.

Well it should be at least.

But the best part of Valentine's Day is the day before. The 13th of February is the best day of the year for me - especially when I know a lot of single people.

It's hilarious: men are usually frantic, racking their brains over who to invite for that special dinner at the restaurant that they have booked for two weeks ago, just in case.

Girls are sitting by the phones, just waiting - hoping that someone is going to call and invite them out at the last minute.

You'd think we'd been shot back to the Victorian era, but with those good ol' new millennium morals.

For men, Valentine's Day is really all about an opportunity to score. I have seen some amazing feats done in order to achieve it too. I'd like to say they weren't out of desperation, but sadly they were.

I remember a couple of years ago, a friend of mine decided that he had found the love of his life. I think Valentine's Day happened to be on a weekend so he planned a romantic picnic, including expensive Champagne, followed by a hot-air balloon ride.

Perfect. Except that all he got at the end of it was a great, big friendly hug — after spending half of his salary for the month.

So my advice is not to go overboard, especially if the date is a bit of a gamble anyway. Save the diamonds for the engagement ring - and flowers can be bought any day of the year.

Just that little act of thoughtfulness could go a long way...

I'm going to haul out my first official Valentine's night out as an example. I was 18, and I'd passed my driver's licence that day.

Armed with enough new-driving bravado to impress an F1 racing team, I picked up my date and headed for a really great restaurant I'd heard of.

Problem was, I couldn't remember the name of the place. Convinced that I'd impress my girl with a little driving, I got completely lost.

But when we eventually did find it, the fact that I didn't book meant the possibility of us getting a table was zero.

So I did the next best thing, I pulled into the first McDonalds I saw and ordered two meals - supersized of course. They even gave us balloons.

I apologised the entire night, but surprisingly she was all right with all of this — it might have just been my charm in the end, but we did end up staying together for six years.