For inspiration on what to say and how to say it, look to the collection of Valentine\u2019s Day poems from Ted Kooser, a former poet laureate. In 1986, Kooser sent a poem on a postcard to 50 women friends. That tradition continued for more than 20 years\u2014each year, Kooser would write a new poem and send it to a growing list of women all over the country. Inspired by Kooser\u2019s tradition, The Chicago Tribune<\/em> shared expert tips to bring out the poet in all of us in this related 2006 article.<\/p>\n Getting the Knack: 20 Poetry Writing Exercises<\/em><\/a> by Stephen Dunning and William Stafford<\/p>\n A poem doesn\u2019t have to be worthy of publishing to mean something to your valentine. If you\u2019re new to the world of poetry and looking for guidance on how to write your own, grab a notebook and check out this book for practical tips on how to start.<\/p>\n To the Letter: A Celebration of the Lost Art of Letter Writing<\/em><\/a> by Simon Garfield<\/p>\n How many emails, tweets and texts do we send every week? How many letters do we write a year? While this book isn\u2019t a how-to guide so much as a testament to the importance and impact of letters, it will inspire you to put pen to paper and give the gift of a heartfelt letter.<\/p>\n Let the flowers do the talking. Learn about symbolic flower meanings to help choose which ones to give your loved one. You\u2019ll also find practical information about tools, materials and containers, as well as ideas specifically tailored to Valentine\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n The Art of Flower Arranging<\/em><\/a> by Paula Pryke<\/p>\n Do you know your valentine\u2019s favorite color? Turn to this book and its beautiful images for a breakdown of common flowers by color. You\u2019ll also find seasonal palettes so you can easily figure out what types of flowers to include in, for instance, your hand-bundled bouquet of winter reds.<\/p>\n Arranging Roses<\/em><\/a> by Emma Gray<\/p>\n Go beyond the bouquet. Whether you want to create a table arrangement, wreath, swag or headdress, or dress up a candle box, jar or terracotta pot, you\u2019ll find plenty of ideas for how to arrange and what to create with fresh and dried flowers in this guide.<\/p>\n Looking for something for your sweetheart\u2019s sweet tooth? Use this book as your foolproof guide. With an extensive array of recipes, you\u2019ll find everything from treats that require minimal baking, classic baked staples like cakes and pies, and creative takes on dessert. Thanks to this book, your own chocolate will be easy to prep\u2014and even easier to consume.<\/p>\n![\"Stack](\"https:\/\/library.udel.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2020\/02\/IMG_5353_resized.jpg\")
Valentines<\/em><\/a> by Ted Kooser
\n<\/em>\u201cHow to Write a Love Poem\u201d<\/a> from The Chicago Tribune<\/em><\/p>\nFlowers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Books](\"https:\/\/library.udel.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2020\/02\/IMG_5333_resized.jpg\")
The Book of Fresh Flowers<\/em><\/a> by Malcolm Hillier<\/p>\nChocolate and Candy<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Chocolate-making](\"https:\/\/library.udel.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2020\/02\/IMG_5343_resized.jpg\")
Chocolate Lover\u2019s Cookbook for Dummies<\/em><\/a> by Carole Bloom<\/p>\n