How To Impress Your High-Maintenance Girlfriend This Valentine's Day

All you need to know if she's making V-Day seem more like D-Day.

Valentine's Day is a holiday made up by greeting card and flower companies, right? Well, not to everyone. For the boyfriend who has no idea how to survive Valentine's Day when he's dating the girl with high standards, grab a notebook and pen. Oh, and your city's most recent zagat probably wouldn't hurt.

Plan, plan, plan.

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A 10/10 Valentine’s Day requires long-term planning, starting with *drum roll please* the dinner reservation. She wants top-of-the-line service, the softest of linens, and multiple forks – no further explanation needed. If it is anywhere Valentine's Day-worthy, you have to make the reservation at least one month in advance, gentlemen.

Don’t wait until the evening to begin the festivities.

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Don’t just count on the fancy dinner to check all the boxes. Start the day early, maybe with a romantic note on her nightstand for when she wakes up, or have breakfast waiting for her when she reaches the kitchen. You should probably have flowers delivered to her office during the day, too. She wants to know she’s on your mind. All. Day. Long.

Build the anticipation.

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Most millennial couples are texting each other throughout the day, because that’s what good couples do, right?? Well, not this Valentine’s Day. Don’t completely ignore her or anything, but a little bit of mystery will keep her wondering all day what you have planned for her. Maybe text her a hint for what the evening will hold, or even just a “Cannot wait until tonight” message. Anything to build a little anticipation.

Give yourself some TLC.

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While yes, today is all about her, she also secretly wants to show off her boyfriend to everyone. So do your girlfriend (and yourself) a favor and get your hair cut a few days in advance, buy a new tie, press your pants, and please, for the love of God, groom yourself. That means taking a long shower, and trimming the places you maybe haven’t trimmed in a while. Want bonus points? Hit the gym extra hard the two weeks leading up to V-Day and give her a little surprise at the end of the night…a six pack, and not the beer.

Time your big gifts wisely.

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Let’s face it – she expects the big gift. But the delivery can make the wow factor. If you (as you damn well should) got her jewelry, have it waiting for her when she gets home from work, with a note saying you’d love to see this on her tonight. This will get her even more excited as she plans her outfit around this gift. Oh and guys…IT BETTER BE EFFIN EXPENSIVE.

Call in that one single friend that owes you a favor.

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At this point, hopefully she is impressed and with any luck the two of you will end up back at your place. Remember that one time you picked your friend up from the airport an hour away because the Uber surge was too high? Yeah, well, he’s single this Valentine’s Day and owes you, big time. Give him a key to your place and while the two of you are at dinner have him set out some champagne, light a bunch of candles, and lead the way to the bedroom with rose petals. The whole nine yards. When the two of you get back, she won’t know what hit her.

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Follow these tips, boys, and you will become a Valentine’s Day legend.