What Not to Write in a Valentine’s Day Card?

Expressing Your Love on the Valentines Day

Love is a phenomenon that cannot be embodied through definitions and words. It enables people to achieve extraordinary feats, swallow their pride, bury their egos and show a paradigm of their personalities that is usually kept secret and unexplored. Every year, on the 14th of February, the world celebrates Valentine’s Day; an event which commemorates romantic love by expressing feelings of love between couples.
History of Valentine’s Day

The day itself was established in 496 AD and was later removed from the Christian calendar of events by Pope Paul VI in 1969. By the nineteenth century it slowly became customary to exchange gifts such as cards, chocolate, flowers etc. Today, the 14th of February is considered a global event as it is celebrated, amid conservative resistance, even in countries such as Yemen and Pakistan.
So what should one write on a Valentine’s Day card?
Phrases of Affection

Well, there is always the stereotypical ‘I love you’ message that is found on pretty much every Valentine’s Day card. A more personalized phrase is generally a better option such as:

‘I don’t just love you. I love that I get to have you as my Valentine. Happy Valentine’s Day!’

It is also desirable to appreciate one’s partner in the phrase so that they are made to feel special on the occasion and to refer to memorable moments.

‘I like all the ways that we hang out together, even when were mad. And I like the things that are not appropriate for a greeting card.’

‘Our love is like a romance movie, but the best part is that it never ends. Happy Valentine’s Day!’

Poetry

Several people like to use poetry as a tool of emotional expression in Valentine’s Day cards. Although not everyone is a poet, originality is preferable as compared to copying proses from the internet. You can check our guide on writing a love poem here.

There are several cards that come with poems already inscribed within but a handwritten one holds more meaning. Here is an example of such a poem written by Joanna Fuchs:
Valentine Smile

On Valentine’s Day we think of those
Who make our lives worthwhile,
Those gracious, friendly people who
We think of with a smile.

I am fortunate to know you,
That’s why I want to say,
To a rare and special person:
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love Letters

Valentine’s Day cards can also have a very personalized love letter intended for one’s significant other. It can go into more personal detail about one’s relationship and can create a much more profound effect than any phrase or poem. A love letter can be adorned with biblical love verses and quotes for a more lasting effect.

It also sounds a lot more intimate and casual. Personalized messages intended only for one another’s eyes are a perfect way to charm the strings of the heart.
Valentine’s Day Cards According to Relationship Stages
Girlfriends and Boyfriends

For a girlfriend or boyfriend, it is best to stick to phrases or poems which appreciate the present rather than worrying about the future or the past. This is generally more effective for relatively new relationships. Phrases for such cards can be like:

‘Valentine’s Day is much more fun when I get to spend it with you.’

‘I don’t know how to write great messages in cards, but I want to let you know how special you are to me. You are awesome! Happy Valentine’s day!’

Or something a little more romantic such as,

‘Happy Valentine’s Day to the sweetest valentine I could want. You are my sweetheart, and I am glad you’re mine.’

Fiancés and Longer Term Commitments

For a fiancé or a partner that has been in the relationship for a longer period of time, it is nicer to blend in past and future oriented phrases and poems. Once can say how he/she would like their future to be with their partner or talk about a cherished moment, for example:

‘Happy Valentine’s Day to the sweetest valentine I could want. You are my sweetheart, and I am glad you’re mine.’
It is always good to know what to write in a Valentine’s Day card, but knowing what not to write is even more so. Several people tend to get too casual or too direct which can lead to undesirable consequences. Some things to keep in mind are:

Avoid (generally) putting in sexual comments in the card; these should be kept for private conversations.
It is never nice to point out a partner’s flaws in a piece of card that is supposed to hold sentimental value and is meant for conveying feelings of love.
Like with all articles and written assignments, do not plagiarize. If something is quoted, it is better to tell where it came from and the reason as to why it has been put into the card.
Making demands can get one into complications and a Valentine’s Day card is the last place that one should consider for addressing them.
Nobody likes generic messages with no personal touches. It is nice to customize the message for the intended person so that it shows that the text came from a place of deeper thought.

A Valentine’s Day Card is a great opportunity to tell one’s significant other about the core of one’s feelings. It should not be wasted and it should not be done out of mere compulsion. The more the emotion that emanates out of the message, the better the reciprocation is from the other person. So keep it creative, simple and customize it for the person who it is intended for and it will yield pleasant reactions.