For many coupled women, Valentine's Day is a page torn from a fairy tale. They're pampered with flowers, breakfast in bed and a memorable evening on the town. But what if your guy's idea of romance is eating pizza and beer by the soft glow of a television set? Try these tactics for putting the heat back into the holiday, no nagging required.

Subtly Mention What's Caught Your Eye

While you're counting down the days to dinner, dancing and a little sparkly something presented in an oh-so-memorable way, there's a good chance your guy hasn't even realized Valentine's Day is around the corner, much less thought about what to buy you.

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Smart-gal strategy: Casually mention how much you need a new wallet or that you spotted a lovely pair of earrings at the local jewelry store. But there's a difference between a subtle hint and badgering your man, so don't hand him a pile of catalogues with your wish-list items circled in red. "Let him know what you're thinking in generalities, and then back off and let him have the chance to shine," says Lisa Daily, author of "Stop Getting Dumped! All You Need to Know to Make Men Fall Madly in Love With You and Marry ‘The One' in 3 Years or Less."

Plan in Advance

If you have a specific idea about how you want to spend Valentine's Day, it pays to put it out there. "Expecting him to read your mind isn't fair, so set the expectation far enough in advance that he has time to pull it off for you," Daily says. "You're setting yourself up for disappointment if you wait until the night before, or let him screw things up so you can nag him about it later."

Smart-gal strategy: Gently let him know that you would like to celebrate your couplehood by doing something special on the holiday. Then ask him if he would like to plan it together or if he wants to take the lead. "If you hand him a detailed agenda for the evening, you'll end up irritated that you had to think of everything, he'll end up feeling like a trained pony, and neither of you will have the romantic evening you're hoping for. The key is to set him up to be the hero, and then give him all the credit," Daily says.

Be Realistic

Expecting your brawny, wing-loving lad to turn into Mr. Big for the night is unfair and will only lead to a night of hurt feelings and disappointment. "The biggest mistake is expecting your normal, sweet guy to transform himself into a white knight straight out of a Harlequin romance," says Daily.

Smart-gal strategy: Don't compare your man with the idealized version of a celebrity or movie character, but do give him a chance to present you with the best version of himself. Tell him you plan to buy a new dress for the evening and are excited to dress up and go on a real date with him. Most men will understand what that means: shave, spray on some cologne and wear a clean shirt.

Remember That Money Can't Buy Love

You friend Sally got a tennis bracelet. Your coworker Margot got a Dior bag. You got dinner at a local bistro and a homemade card, which seemed sweet at the time. But the next day, you're angry you have nothing to "show" for your holiday.

Smart-gal strategy: Valentine's Day is about celebrating your love for each other and sharing experiences together, not being presented with an extravagant gift to help you impress your girlfriends. Every smart gal knows that anyone with a solid bank account or high credit-card limit can buy an expensive pair of earrings but only someone who really loves you will make you a homemade card and your favorite spaghetti Bolognese.