There are countless ways to express love, from the simple (a sweet text in the middle of the day, or an unforgettable date) to the more intimate (like pillow talk or, trying something new in bed). But experts say gifting something a little unexpected—ahem, a good old fashioned love letter—can be one of the most thoughtful ways to show that special someone you care.
In today's plugged-to-our-phones digital age, the act of actually handwriting a love note stands out from the clutter. And though it may sound difficult to do, Keely Chace, a master writer at Hallmark, made the process much easier by sharing tips and tricks for getting started. But first, over a dozen ideas (below) that'll help you strike the perfect cord between cute and meaningful.
Cute love note ideas to get you started.
If you're still stumped, let these prompts, organized by occasion, guide you through the writing process:
Miss you
- I miss seeing your face every day.
- When we're apart, I'm reminded of...
Appreciation
- Lately I've been thinking about all you do for us.
- It makes me feel like the luckiest person in the world, when you...
Compliment
- Just so you know, you take my breath away.
- I'm always amazed by your ability to...
Hard times
- I know things haven’t been the best between us lately. I want to make sure you know how much I value our relationship.
- Despite the recent tension, I'm so grateful for what we share together.
New love
- I just wanted to tell you that I'm having the best time with you.
- I knew we were meant to be when...
Thinking of you
- You’re on my mind a lot right now.
- Lately I've been thinking about how special it makes me feel when you...
Occasion
- Our anniversary reminds me how lucky I am to have you in my life.
- I'm looking forward to celebrating Valentine's Day together. The holiday reminds me how special our bond is.
Just because
- You know I love you every day, but today I felt like putting it in writing.
- Today seemed like as good a day as any to tell you how grateful I am to share my life with you.
How to write a love note? Follow these six steps to personalize yours.
1.Be vulnerable.
First, you have to overcome the mental hurdle of being so open. "If you're feeling weird or unsure, put yourself in your partner’s shoes," says Chace. "Think about how great it would feel to get that message of love and affirmation."
2. Consider the occasion.
Once you feel more comfortable with the task at hand, start the process by thinking about why you decided to write a love note in the first place. Maybe you're away from your partner and want to tell them how much you miss them. Or, maybe you're celebrating a special occasion, like an anniversary or Valentine's Day. This can help inform your love letter's main message.
3. Brainstorm.
Jot down a list of things you love about your partner. To give your note authenticity, be as specific as possible, says Chace. Instead of saying "I love the way you laugh"—a rather generic line—try something like, "I love the way your eyes crinkle when you laugh." A well-written love note contains special tidbits that could only come from you.
4. Keep things PG-13.
Your love letter shouldn't be all about lust. Definitely include more sensual elements (i.e. "I'm looking forward to holding you and kissing you"), but be sure to balance it with other important reminders (i.e. "Your sense of humor never fails to help lift me out of a fog at the end of a long day"). A good rule of thumb? Omit anything you'd feel bad about your grandkids finding one day, says Chace.
5. Don't rush the process.
Take at least 10 or 15 minutes to get your thoughts in order. This will give you the chance to push beyond what you say every day, says Chace. Writing a rough draft on your phone's notepad or on a scrap of paper can really help you formulate your thoughts, too.
6. Use stationery.
If you want to do something memorable, it's worth getting a nice card or special stationery. When you take the time to select the right card, it shows how much effort you put into the love letter, says Chace.
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Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
