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Valentine's Day: 7 ways to avoid being a cliche

It's the least romantic day of the year. It doubles the cost of every restaurant. It triples the cost of a dozen roses. It's checkmate. You can't win. If you ignore Valentine's Day, she'll be pissed, and if you show up with a bundle of chocolates and flowers, you've become a cliche. So how do you thread the needle? We give you seven ways to avoid being a cliche on Valentine's Day -- while also delivering the goods.

-- Story by Jeff Wilser, ThePlunge.com

-- Photo gallery by Melina I. De Rose, Sun Sentinel
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You cannot -- CANNOT -- just get her flowers. This will turn you into a cheeseball. However, assuming your woman likes flowers, use them to accent another gift. Like a spa day with a tub covered in flowers. If you know her favorite kind of flowers, go with that over roses.

Use flowers only with another gift

(RICHARD FELBER, file photo/Scent-sational Spa / December 17, 1999)

You cannot -- CANNOT -- just get her flowers. This will turn you into a cheeseball. However, assuming your woman likes flowers, use them to accent another gift. Like a spa day with a tub covered in flowers. If you know her favorite kind of flowers, go with that over roses.