ALT-1 How to Write your own Valentines Day Card
How desperate some people feel when Valentine's Day comes along and they are called upon to write their sentiments in a Valentine's Day card. Whether not confident of their writing skill or unsure how to express the emotion they feel, they experience angst, pressured to write something that is both sentimental and original.
How does the non-writer find the words to accomplish the task of writing a meaningful Valentine's Day card?
Consider the Status of the Relationship
Before deciding exactly what to write, consider how deep of an emotional expression is appropriate when addressing your Valentine. Sentiments for a spouse or longtime partner may be expressed more intensely than sentiments for a newfound love. The goal of the Valentine's Day card is not to scare love away, after all. Reserve words like "lifelong" and "forever" for relationships that have blossomed. Choose phrases like "hope," "promise" and "newfound joy" to describe feelings in a fledgling relationship on a Valentine's Day card.
Be True to Yourself
Express what you do feel on that Valentine's Day card, not what you think you should feel or what you suspect your Valentine wants to hear.
Rely on Memories
One way to avoid trite expressions when writing sentiments in a Valentine's Day card is to write about memorable experiences shared with your Valentine. That night her eyes were bright as you sat up talking about your dreams until 2 a.m... The time he kissed you and your anger melted... Even if your writing lacks eloquence, its sincerity will be appreciated.
Avoid Stating Future Expectations
A Valentine's Day card is not a demand letter and shouldn't read like one. There is a fine line between expressing hope or even confidence in a relationship and setting out a road map for the future. Phrases like "when we get married" or "I can't imagine a life without you" convey an implicit demand for reciprocal feelings. Such words place a heavy burden on the reader of the Valentine's Day card. Unless the relationship has developed to the point where a future together is mutually understood, use lighter expressions when writing your Valentine's Day card.
Don't Hide Behind Humor
Genuine humor can be enjoyable in a Valentine's Day card. If you met your Valentine in amusing circumstances, mentioning them and invoking a laugh may even be a plus. But if you are inclined to use humor to cover your true feelings, think again. If those feelings are positive, why can't you admit to having them? If you are using humor to avoid expressing feelings you think you should or are expected to have, consider that using humor to mask the absence of those feelings is likely to cause hurt.
Finding the Right Words
There are no universal right words to express Valentine's Day sentiments. But in writing that special Valentine's Day message, avoid generic expressions like "I love you" and "when I look into your eyes, I see paradise." Instead opt for sentiments that relate specifically to you and your Valentine. How much more romantic to write "when we lay on the ground looking up at the stars together, I imagine you and I as stars dancing across the sky."
Following these simple tips should help you to write heartfelt sentiments in your Valentine's Day card.
