1. Begin by putting thoughts on paper. Write 4-6 sentences that will mean something to the recipient. Recall a special day you spent together, or a unique aspect of your lover's personality. Mention something you said to one another. Do you have a wish for each other? Select thoughts that mean something to both of you. Write your thoughts in single lines rather than in paragraph form. Keep it simple. Ask yourself what really matters.

2. End each line with a word that eases flow to the next line. Words to most often avoid at the end of the line are articles (like 'a' and 'the'), prepositions (like 'of,' 'in,' 'from'), and passive verbs like forms of 'to be.'

3. Take the first copy of your poem and put it away for at least 24 hours. Do not peek.

4. After the 24-hour wait, when you're ready to refine the poem, read it aloud. You'll hear words that clunk. Take them out or change them. Do not force a rhyme. Forced rhymes sound smarmy.

5. Check your poem for spelling. You don't want to call your 'lover' your 'bother' by mistake. Write or type the poem on a piece of nice paper. Choose a private moment and preface your gift-giving by saying, "I made something special for you."