Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or special holiday, or you just want to show how much you care, you can surprise your partner with a thoughtful gift. Your instinct might be to stop by the nearest shopping mall or call your local florist, but you don't have to rely on store-bought gifts to make them meaningful.

Your words alone can often convey your love in a way that a purchased gift or flowers cannot. Love letters and other sentimental gifts become cherished memories your beloved will hold onto for years to come.

You can get started creating your own letters of love and sentimental gifts for someone you care about with just a pen and paper. We're here to inspire you with stories of unique, love-filled gifts created and received by members of the Mixbook team. Try one, or try them all! You're limited only by your imagination.

Reasons Why I Love You

When you reflect on why you love your significant other, you can probably come up with a list of reasons quickly. Maybe it's their sense of humor that first won you over, or you love how they cozy up next to you on the couch after a long day at work. It's those little things — a thoughtful gesture, a wink of an eye, or a laugh that you love — that have the power to melt your heart over and over.

Now's the time to share your thoughts in a love letter. One Mixbook employee shared how his then-girlfriend (now wife) compiled a list detailing why she loved him, offering a reason for every day they were together.

Years later, when he came upon the letter, he explained, "As I fully read through it, I realized a few things ... I never really appreciated it as much as I do now. It's a gift and I'm amazed at how much has stayed the same, but also changed."

Love letters offer a glimpse into your relationship in the moment and can show how it's grown — and how it's stayed the same — over time. If you're looking for inspiration to craft a letter of love like this, here are some topics to share:

Thoughtful gestures you appreciate
Words of affirmation that resonate with you
Ways your partner makes you laugh or smile
Memorable moments you cherish
Future experiences you want to share together
Personality traits you love

Whether you add a reason a day over time or brainstorm many reasons at once, this love letter will be a gift your partner will appreciate for years to come. When it comes to gift-giving, it's the thought that counts — literally, in this case — and these thoughts allow you to explain just how much you care.

Short Love Notes to Show You Care

You might want to write a lot and share all the little and big reasons you love your partner. Other times, however, you might want to send a short and sweet love note that's sure to make them smile.

Sentimental gifts come in many forms, and a short note can be just as meaningful as a lengthy one. So don't hesitate to express your love on a sticky note left on the mirror or refrigerator door as a sweet surprise when your loved one starts their day.

While these short love notes can express romantic love, they can also express friendly feelings of platonic or familial love. So, you can be generous with these short, easy-to-write notes and share them with family and friends alike.

When composing these short love notes, consider these topics:

Expressing gratitude for a thoughtful gesture
Wishing your loved one luck before a big meeting, test, or event
Simply saying "I love you because..." with a single reason why
Reflecting on a joyous moment, event, or day that you shared
Mentioning an upcoming event or activity that you're excited to do together

Reflections on Your Time as a Couple

Whether you've been together months or years, you share a lot of detailed history as a couple. In fact, your history serves as the foundation of your relationship. Memories fade over time, but love letters and sentimental gifts serve as a way to preserve those memories and your history together.

While you can reflect on your history any time of year, an anniversary is an especially poignant time to contemplate where you once were and where you are today. One Mixbook employee shared a love letter his wife wrote to him on their 15th wedding anniversary. She wrote:

"So to think now I'm married with the best possible person I could ever meet and have a kid that just lights my world… it's insane. I wonder what the next 15 years will be."

This excerpt reflects on how far they've come as a couple while looking ahead to the future. It also shows gratitude for the life they've built together. A letter like this is a gift of love to share with that special someone in your life.

Love Letters Between Parents and Kids

Love letters aren't just for romantic partners. Parents and kids can express their love through words and artwork. If you're a parent, your kids probably bring you hand-drawn notes regularly, whether they come home in their school folder or pile up on the kitchen counter. Here's one example of a love letter that a Mixbook employee received from their child.

As a parent, you can offer equally thoughtful love letters for your kids. Discover creative ways to say "I love you" to your kids by:

Leaving a love note in their lunchbox or backpack
Taping a note to the bathroom mirror so your child sees it when they wake up
Placing a love note on their pillow as a bedtime surprise
Giving them a birthday card every year that lists what you loved about your year together

A love letter to your child is a small gesture that can have a lasting impact, leaving them filled with joy because of the love you share.

Preserving Your Love Letters Using Mixbook

Sentimental gifts are one of a kind. They're inspired by the unique relationship you share with your beloved, whether that's your spouse, your long-term partner, a friend, or your child. While a simple note on paper can be a cherished memory, you can also offer a modern twist on the love letter with the help of Mixbook.

Imagine turning those love letters into a work of art — a gift that your loved one can display and reflect on for years to come. While a paper love letter might get tucked away in a desk drawer, a love letter preserved by Mixbook can be a lovely addition to your home. Consider these sentimental gift ideas:

Photo Book

When you design a romance photo book featuring your history as a couple, you can showcase photos from favorite vacations or document your relationship over the years. Choose designs that feature both images and text, so you can add love notes to the photo book over time.

Photo Calendars

Plan for the year ahead by creating a photo calendar that reflects on your last year. Add photos to every monthly page on the calendar, displaying all the memories you created together. These photos will serve as inspiration as you plan your future together.

Canvas Prints

When you've captured incredible moments in your relationship, you'll want to admire them for years to come. Transform your favorite photos as a couple into canvas prints to create an art installation in your home that puts a spotlight on your love. These prints are available in a variety of sizes, allowing you to customize them to fit in with your décor.

Acrylic Blocks

A scanned image of your love letter becomes a piece of art with the help of Mixbook. Acrylic blocks can feature an image of your love letter, allowing your partner to display it on a desk or shelf as a lasting reminder of your love.

When it comes to showing your love, sentimental gifts always deliver. Expressions of love can come in many forms, and Mixbook helps you transform your love into a thoughtful gift that your partner will cherish.

At Mixbook, find the best gifts for husbands and best gifts for wives by exploring creative ways to show them how much you care. Start designing a personalized gift for that special someone today.