To me romance is not about "gift giving" - the romance for me is when a guy expresses love and affection.
A tender hug, a caress, hand holding. A telephone call to say I miss you and was thinking about you. Kissing at a traffic light. To stop in your busy day to let me know that you care, to listen to me when I'm talking and not try to fix everything, but simply just be there for me.
Yes, gifts can be extremely thoughtful as well, but the ones I remember the most are acts of romance/love that can't be bought. To come home to a romantic dinner, to dance in the middle of the living room. To remember a special date or occasion.
To make a special time on a regular basis to simply spend quality time together as well - doesn't matter the activity but to enjoy each others company.
I love to receive letters - these are something that I can cherish and read over and over again. I've got one letter from my first boyfriend that is over 20 years old. Once in a while I'll pull it out and simply go back in time.
pastortim: I think flowers are great for showing action that you truly love someone, but then flowers eventually die off. So I also believe Jewelry is good since it lasts a lifetime and the woman can look at the jewelry and remember those special moments when you gave it to her. Of course, the Romantic words are a must any time you want to just say how much you adore you woman.
However, not everyone thinks the same and some women don't mind what they get, as long as it shows you love them.
So ladies, what would you think has more meaning and for those men what would you give your woman to show your affections?