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.
FAQs
Every word must sound like it comes from you. Express why you love them, what you appreciate about them, and what makes them different from anyone else. You know your recipient well, so tailor the text to describe what they want to hear most. Package your note in an aesthetically pleasing way.
What is the best way to write a love note? ›
Every word must sound like it comes from you. Express why you love them, what you appreciate about them, and what makes them different from anyone else. You know your recipient well, so tailor the text to describe what they want to hear most. Package your note in an aesthetically pleasing way.
What do you say in a short love note? ›
Short Love Quotes
- “You're the greatest gift I've ever gotten”
- "You're my greatest adventure”
- "Forever & Always"
- ∞ (Infinity Sign)
- "I never want to stop making memories with you”
- “If I know what love is, it is because of you.” – Hermann Hesse.
- “All you are is all I'll ever need”
- “I'm much more when I'm with you”
Your words carry the emotional feeling with the letter. It's something you keep, you preserve. A text may get deleted but a letter will become a memory that you can touch and feel. The curves of the handwriting often says how the person felt while writing the letter.
Why do people write love notes? ›
The beauty of a love letter, she explains, is that it's not only cathartic to put your thoughts down on paper, it can also boost feelings of gratitude as you shift your focus towards the good in your partner. Relationship coach Megan Luscombe also sings the praises of love letters.
What do people write in love notes? ›
In the body of your love letter, pour your heart out. Write down memories, what you love about your partner, what you see in your future together, or whatever your heart desires.
What is a simple love quote? ›
Short Love Quotes
- “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” – ...
- “You call it madness, but I call it love.” – ...
- “We can only learn to love by loving.” – ...
- “A life lived in love will never be dull.” – ...
- “Life is the flower for which love is the honey.” – ...
- “All you need is love.” – ...
- “True love stories never have endings.” –
Love, The way you can always see the best in me even on my darkest days lets me know how much you care for me. Your outlook on life and your sweet spirit are just two of the things I admire about you. I'm so glad we found each other and I can call you mine.
Do girls like it when you write them notes? ›
Emails and texts are great, but sending a handwritten note every now and then can feel like a warm hug and bring her so much joy. When you're writing your love letters to her, don't worry about including a lot of information in every letter that you write. Instead, pick one or two things to focus on.
Do people still write love notes? ›
Even in the modern world, many couples still exchange handwritten love letters. You can use a love letter to confess your feelings to a new crush, to court someone you recently started dating, or to add more romance to a serious relationship.
Writing a love note is a forgotten art of love language. We live in a world full of disposable social media messages and texts. And this practice is slowly dying. It's a lot more romantic nowadays to occasionally send your partner a handwritten love letter.
How do guys feel when they get a love letter? ›
It can make them feel valued and special. Happiness: Receiving a love letter can bring a sense of joy and happiness. Knowing that someone has taken the time to express their feelings in a tangible way can be a heartwarming experience. Flattered: Some guys might feel flattered and a b.
How long should love notes be? ›
Some people are big readers, others would rather you get to the point. There's no set length a love letter should be — let it go on for as long as it feels natural. Short love notes are still super romantic. Also, think about your partner's taste when you think about how you want it to look.
Do men like getting love notes? ›
Guys love receiving love letters just as much as anyone, but getting all those emotions you feel in a love letter for him can be a little tricky. Don't worry about finding the perfect words, though. We've got you covered with some great examples of love letters for boyfriends to help inspire you.
How do I start off a love note? ›
Write their first name in the greeting so it's personal. Your letter is personal, so refer to the person you love by name. Use a simple salutation, such as “Dear,” “For,” and “To.” Then, include their name or preferred nickname. You might write, “Dear Alexander,” “For Alex,” or “To A.”
How to express love in writing? ›
Good writing about love features the same virtues that define a good relationship: honesty, generosity, open-mindedness, curiosity, humor and self-deprecation. Bad writing about love suffers from the same flaws that define a bad relationship: dishonesty, withholding, defensiveness, blame, pettiness and egotism.
What is the love letter method? ›
The Love Letter method is a self-concept method because the idea there is that you change the beliefs of a person through writing a love letter to yourself. And in this love letter, you're writing it from the POV of the person that you want to think differently about you.
