February should be my favorite month—I’m a romance writer, after all, and romantic ideas are everywhere. Valentine’s Day should be my jam. But in all honesty (maybe because I write romance), Valentine’s Day has always felt cheesy. And, believe it or not, I try not to be cheesy. 🧀 🥴
I’m also a mystery writer (or as I like to call them, Myster-Mances), so I often wonder if murders uptick this time of year over what I call Valentine’s Day anxiety. Not having a Valentine, again. Stalker-like secret admirer gifts. Valentine’s rejections. Finding the right gift.
A lot can go wrong.
Like in this retro Valentine’s Day card…
Would you call this cute or cringy? Hmm.
Here’s the one I WILL be giving to Joe, though, keep in mind, these cards are meant for kids.
Ha, ha! I must call this one cute. But it’s a little cringy.
Here’s one that feels more appropriate for a married couple…
My mystery side envisions her poisoning that tea. ☠️
This one has me scratching my head…
🤔 Cute or cringy?
Oh, by the way… this is what happens when you take a writer to a consignment shop—I look for things that amuse and inspire. (See all 13 of my Retro Valentine’s Day Cards on Instagram or Facebook). Be sure to read my story ideas with each one, too. 👩🏻💻
Whether cute or cringy, the retro cards boosted my determination not to give in to my too-married-for-this-nonsense attitude. So, what do you have your husband of twenty-six years for Valentine’s Day, aside from a cool retro card that will have him laughing his ass off?
Better yet, what advice does a romance/mystery writer have to make your Valentine feel loved? Actually, that’s easy. The best romantic gifts are personally meaningful and/or involve spending time together.
Sure, it’s super convenient to hit up Publix on the way home from work for whatever’s on their Valentine’s Day display, but there’s no meaning or fun in that.
It’s way better to choose something that holds personal meaning in your relationship—like eating out at the same place you had your first date (Waffle House for me) or listening to a playlist of songs from concerts you’ve been to (Pink Floyd, Dave Matthews, Queensryche, Live, Post Malone, Yungblud). Rewatch your favorite movies or the first one you saw together. Picnic in your favorite park or hit the beach (just bundle up or let him keep you warm 😉). Think of your best times and try to recreate them.
Don’t have meaningful experiences yet? Then, create one. My best ideas for this don’t involve a lot of money. Cook a gourmet meal together (we used to cook lobsters for Valentine’s Day). Buy a book and read it together—a chapter a night (We did this with Nights in Rodanthe and The Hobbit). Buy a new board game and learn it together. She will always remember the night she stomped you in Ticket to Ride or the time he fell asleep while you were reading and dreamed about The Shire.
The point is… be thoughtful, not commercial.
If none of these ideas appeal to you, hit up your local consignment shop or thrift store and buy the funniest, most ridiculous thing you can find. Whatever it is, I bet it’ll be treasured far more than another Hallmark card or a box of candy. At least it’ll give you something to laugh about.
Like this retro card… I saved the worst for last.
Come on now… Cute or Cringy?
So, don’t act like a lemon (yes, I had to tie that back in)! Get your Valentine’s Day on, and keep it going the rest of the month.
Reading a few romances might help spark some inspiration.
- One Thing Better is only $4.99 right now!
- Take your romance with a little mystery? 🔍💙 Sea-Devil is perma-free everywhere! Luna-Sea is only $2.99! Or get the entire box set for $9.99! Odd-a-Sea is the most romantic of all the Delilah Duffy books, so get to the end. Then you can enjoy a bonus epilogue (also sweet and romantic).
- Set yourself up for romance later by preordering Yes No Maybe at its prelaunch price of $3.99! Read the first three chapters in my Bonus Content for subscribers only. The cover reveal and release date are coming soon!
- P.S. Yes No Maybe whooshed away to my pro editor and the cover designer this week! I’m having Jack and Rowan withdraw. Like seriously. You are going to love them! Discover where I got the inspiration for YNM by clicking here.
Oh, and here are some other romances I’ve talked about this year to put you in a Valentine’s mood:
- Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
- 5 Lovable Romance Novels
- The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren (so fun!)
❤️ More love thoughts…
“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that’s what you’ve given me. That’s what I’d hoped to give you forever.”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
And speaking about romantic gestures, I can’t resist this from One Thing Better…
“Stranger still, he did this for me. When has anyone made such an effort on my behalf? Ever? And it’s such a shockingly beautiful gesture, I’m certain I’ll tell this story when I’m old, an incredible highlight in an otherwise average life; that I’ll die remembering this. The night Ben Wright gave me fireworks.”
Oh, my gosh… one of my favorite Ben-moments. Ah! 🎆 Think fireworks this Valentine’s Day, and fall in love with each other all over again (or for the first time).
Oh, and help a sista out… Share your best romantic ideas below or via email! Who knows? I might use it in my next book (I promise a free signed copy if I do)!
Best Romantic Wishes,
Jessica
