Romance Writers Like Flowers, Gifts Of Time Music Boxes Also Rate High In National Poll

Stumped for ideas about what to give your sweet babboo on this, the most romantic of holidays (not including the anniversary of your first date, which you forgot again last month)?

According to a poll of America’s 7,000-plus romance writers, the most romantic gifts you can give are time, a music box, and flowers (particularly roses).

Their suggestions for romantic dates include a moonlight sail, an evening of ballet, or a weekend together.

The romance writers’ favorite cities are New Orleans (domestic) and Venice (foreign).

Here are their top picks in other categories:

Most romantic actors: Kenneth Branagh and Meg Ryan.

Most romantic movies: “Much Ado About Nothing” (contemporary) and “Casablanca” (classic).

Most romantic fairy tale: Beauty and the Beast.

Most romantic books: “Wuthering Heights” (fiction) and the Bible (non-fiction).

Most romantic couple: Hume Cronyn and (the late) Jessica Tandy.

Most romantic TV series: “Mad About You.”

Most romantic TV episode: Dancing on Air, “Lois and Clark.”

Most romantic songs: “I Swear” by John Michael Montgomery (contemporary) and “As Time Goes By” (classic).

Most romantic ads: Diet Coke’s “11:30 Break” (broadcast) and DeBeers’ “A Diamond is Forever” (print).