Send a scented love letter to your Valentine

By Deborah Fulsang

A crisp white envelope lands in the mailbox, your name written in hand script, stamp in the upper right corner; a delivery received via snail mail.

Oh Shakespeare, Shaw, Voltaire and Van Gogh, all those who have known the power of a well-penned love letter, you inspire us. But what could be better than striking open that note and having a gentle waft of perfume meet your nose?

Go old-fashioned, we say. Spritz the loveliest note paper you have (creamy white Crane’s would be perfect) with your best perfume and then let it dry. (Overnight if you have the time. Don’t rush it—you don’t want any messy ink episodes when you’re making the effort and sharing your heart’s innermost desires.)

Although we’re a tad cynical about Valentine’s Day—we hate the thought that one needs a reason to express their love and shower their heart’s desire with perfume, chocolate, fine dinners and lingerie—we believe there’s no time like the present to make the effort to write an actual pen-on-paper letter. No texts, tweets or Facebook communiquées.

And choose the scent that is most you, or perhaps a fragrance you wear when you have date night, or perhaps the perfume you wore on your first date. A scent that has meaning; even better, select a scent that carries a hint of innuendo.

And don’t be intimidated thinking you must write a novel. A short but sweet scented message speaks volumes.

Crane & Co. cards, box of 10 gold-engraved monogram note cards and envelopes in kid-finish cotton paper, $24, www.chapters.indigo.ca
Guerlain Vol de Nuit Parfum Extrait, www.guerlain.com