It is, as I am sure you are all aware, Valentine's Day later this week.

What with him indoors being from Yorkshire, he says he is too sensible to have anything to do with Valentine's Day and that it is just an opportunity for more commercial hype to persuade people to spend money they haven't got.

I know it is all very commercialised but I still think it's a great opportunity for him to show how much he loves me and I will scream and stamp my feet and sulk for a month if I don't get a card.

Consequently I have, with daughter, being dropping hints so he doesn't deliberately overlook the occasion.

We have tried the conversational gambit, which he cannot fail to overhear.

Daughter will say something like, "How many Valentine's cards did you get last year, Mum?" in a very loud voice, just as he walks past. "Oh, I can't remember," I reply innocently. She, he and I all know I got one card, begrudgingly bought by him after I had dropped enough hints to bury an elephant. Hopefully, the same technique will work this year. Maybe daughter will get me one if he doesn't.

Prompted by Valentine's Day, daughter has been earmarking other up-and-coming events. I think she was only being supportive about my need for a Valentine's card because it is her birthday next month. She has once again talked me into allowing a sleepover and I am looking forward to staying awake all night, listening to girlish shrieks.

She has also noticed the Easter eggs already appearing in the shops. "Mum," said daughter, "were you planning on buying me a present for Easter or just an egg?" "Just an egg," I assured her. "Just a very small egg as you are a bit old for that sort of thing now." But I have noticed my mail order catalogue keeps appearing open with red circles around items on the young fashion page. Perhaps I should try the same technique on her father.