1) Say No To Roses
Sure 12 Red Roses means love.  However, unless you've only been dating a short time or you know roses are her favorite just about any bouquet of flowers is perfect for the occasion.  Flower stores really increase the price of roses during valentine's day so just say NO to roses.  Simple as that.  Looking for other nice flowers?  Try Carnations or an assortment of flowers.

Suggested Flower Stores: Next Day Flowers, Clare Florist and Flying Flowers.

2) Buy A Smaller Box of GOOD chocolate.

Instead of spending a large amount of a box of chocolates go for quality NOT quantity.  Surely you don't want your girl eating a whole box of chocolates by herself anyway.  Why not get her 6 chocolates of her very favorite type.  Note that I'm not saying cheap out on chocolates.  I'm saying buy HIGH quality.

Suggested Good Chocolates Suppliers: Chocolate Trading Company and zChocolat.com

3) Lingerie Deals

Many lingerie stores have specials after Christmas and for Valentine's Day. Take a look around for special Lingerie Coupon codes, specials and promotions.  For example CheapSmells has a promotion for up to 80% off regular priced items right now.

Suggested Retailer:  Fig Leaves UK, LaSenza UK and CX LONDON BOUTIQUE

Buy and Prepare Early

To avoid paying extra for Flowers, shipping and chocolates you should prepare early.  In fact if you time it correctly you can get some Christmas Shopping sales and buy the products you need for Valentine's day.

1) Set a Budget
Setting a budget that you think is reasonable is the best way to maintain a good spending level.   Whatever your budget is be prepared to spend that and try NOT to go over.

2) Plan According to your budget
Now that you have a budget you should try breaking down the plans for the day.
Where are you going on Valentine's day?
What are you doing after that?
What are you going to buy?

Now set an approximate dollar value to each of those categories and plan accordingly.

3) Celebrate the day after or before
This year's Valentine's day is on a Saturday so this is tough this year.  However, years down the road celebrating the day after can lead to much easier reservations at restaurants and cheaper chocolates and flowers.

4) Cook A Nice Dinner At Home
Restaurants are expensive and can really sky rocket the budget.  A great idea is to cook a nice dinner at home.  This usually works out to about a quarter the price of a meal in a restaurant.  If you don't have any cuisine skills then you can always order in which is usually half the price of a meal out.   JustEat UK is a great place to order food online. Be sure to clean your house and light some candles to make a more intimate mood.

5) Look For Free Evening Activities
Often the best things in life are free.  Use this to your advantage and come up with some nice evening plans that are free (or cheap).  Possibly a walk in a park (or a skate in the park) go window shopping, walk along the popular street, etc.. Be creative and look to your cities website for brainstorming ideas.

6) Make Valentine's Day About The Two of You
Although Valentine's day can be expensive and stressful remember that it's a celebration of your love with each other. Stress this with her when you're making your valentine plans.