Forget Valentine’s roses — just cook the dinner

VALENTINE’S Day may usually be marked by fantastical gifts and beautiful rose bouquets — but marriage care service Accord appears to believe couples here need to master basic communication before they embark on the grand gestures.

Ahead of the calendar’s most loved-up day it has formulated a series of points of advice which, it would seem, indicate it is not confident that we are the most attentive to the needs of our partners.

“Find something that is important in your spouse’s schedule on Valentine’s Day (and other days too) — a particular meeting, an important project, a doctor’s appointment and call, text, email and ask how it went,” it advises the apparently insensitive oafs among us.

“This shows you care and creates an immediate loving bond with him/her.”

Apparently Accord also believes our indolence stretches to most basic jobs around the house.

“Why not volunteer to do something for your spouse before he or she asks you to do it?” Accord advises. “Offer to pick something up at the shops, prepare dinner, and offer to put the children to bed (if you don’t usually!) This says to your spouse that I am putting you first.”