The small gestures in reality are the biggest gestures. Why?
Because it's easy to remember the big things. Remembering the smaller things that help a relationship to flourish is harder, especially if your busy getting through the day to day business of leading a life!
They're more thoughtful. When women say they want someone romantic, what they usually mean is they want someone thoughtful and considerate. Goes a far longer way than the chocolate and roses type romance (which is nice too. Just not the be all and end all of romance)
A peice of expensive jewellery once a year on your anniversary Vs your husband surprising you by taking the day off work to run you to your appointment? I'd take the latter anyday.
The expensive stuff is just a bonus on top of the smaller gestures of love.