10 Cute Things To Do For Your Boyfriend To Show Him You Appreciate Him

Whether you have been with your boyfriend for many years or a few months, it can be important to show him that you appreciate him. Sometimes in relationships, couples may begin to get comfortable and may take their partner for granted, which can cause one or both individuals to feel less appreciated or cared for. Showing someone, especially a significant other, that you appreciate them can give them confidence and help them feel special and loved. And making your partner feel appreciated can even improve your connection. So, what are some cute things to do for your boyfriend to show him that you appreciate who he is and what he does for you? Read on for 10 ideas.

10 cute things to show him you appreciate him

If you have been trying to think of the perfect thing to do for your boyfriend, you may find some of the ideas below helpful. Everyone is different, and you probably have a good sense of your boyfriend’s like and dislikes, so if you know your boyfriend doesn’t appreciate one of the methods below, it may be a good idea to try something else. 

Give him a gift

Gift-giving can be a great way to show someone appreciation. Giving your boyfriend a thoughtful gift, showing that you took the time to think about what he would appreciate, can make the gift extra special. If you are crafty, you can even hand-make a gift. It can be something simple or something more extravagant; it is entirely up to you and what you believe he will appreciate. Gifts don’t necessarily need to be extravagant or expensive to be meaningful.

Write him a letter

If you have difficulties verbally expressing your appreciation sometimes, writing a letter may be a great option, especially if your partner’s primary love language is words of affirmation. Writing a letter allows you the time to really think about what you’d like to say to your partner and may make it easier for you to express yourself and be vulnerable. You may even want to think about different, creative ways to express your love and appreciation. You could write a few pages, a paragraph, or even leave small sticky notes all over the place. Your note can include words of love and gratitude, and you can even include favorite quotes, lyrics, or jokes. 

Hug him often

Hugs can be a great way to feel both physically and emotionally close to someone, especially if they value physical touch and affection. Sometimes we may get so caught up in our daily routines that we may forget to take a minute to show our love and appreciation to our partner. Physical touch can be very important in a relationship, and hugs can be a great and simple way to show someone you appreciate them. Plus, research shows that hugging can bring a range of benefits. These benefits include increased oxytocin, known as the feel-good hormone, and a decrease in cortisol, the stress hormone, which can improve your overall well-being and even boost your immune system. 

Give him a massage

Massages can be another way to express appreciation with physical touch to your partner, if that is something your partner would like. Giving him a massage after a long day may help him relax and show that you care about his comfort. Massages have many benefits, including reduced stress and boosted mental health and wellness as it decreases cortisol levels in the same way as hugging. However, don’t feel pressured to give the best massage ever. A simple two-minute neck rub can also be a great way to show your boyfriend you care for him.

Hold his hand

Holding hands can be another cute way you can show someone you care and appreciate them. If you hold hands in public, it may also show your partner that you want others to know you are with him. Most people like to feel wanted, and when you hold his hand, it shows that you want to be touching him. It is also another way to incorporate physical touch into the relationship.

Cook his favorite food

Cooking a meal for someone can be a great way to show that you appreciate them. You can make it extra special if you choose to cook your partner’s favorite food, just for them. If you recently started dating and don’t know his favorite meal, you can ask him directly. Or if you want to make it a surprise, you can ask someone close to him who may know.

Take him somewhere he would enjoy

Another way to show your appreciation for your partner and spend quality time together is by taking them somewhere they would enjoy. You could check to see if there are any upcoming events in your area and plan an outing specially tailored for him. You can even make it a surprise if you would like, as this may make it even more special for him. You could choose to have the day entirely planned out, without telling him where you are taking him, surprising him with a whole day of activities he would enjoy.

Ask him to meet your parents

Meeting the parents can be a pretty big step in a relationship for most couples, and it can indicate that you deeply care for your partner and value the relationship. That said, every relationship is different, so whether or not this feels like the right step for you and your partner is up to you two. Rather than introducing him to your parents with no warning, it may be wise to simply raise the idea, and see how he feels about it. Often, even expressing that you would like him to meet your family can be a big indication of how much you care. If your partner is not ready to take that step, you can also show that you appreciate him and his feelings by honoring them and holding off on introductions until he’s ready.

Respect his space

Many people in committed relationships may often value having some alone time from time to time. When you two are starting to spend more and more time together, it can be important to know when you both need space. This doesn’t mean you two need to be in a fight in order to have said space; respecting each other’s space may be important to keep your bond healthy and strong. If he has things that he loves to do alone or with a friend, you can leave them to do it alone, and if your boyfriend expresses that he would like some space, be respectful of that. This can show him that you honor his needs, and it can encourage respect for each other’s interests.

Tell him you appreciate him

There are many ways to show your appreciation for your partner, but simply telling your boyfriend that you appreciate him can also be a great way to let him know. Sometimes just telling him through verbal communication can be exactly what he needs to hear, especially if his love language is words of affirmation. You may want to try to be specific about the things you appreciate about him. For instance, when your boyfriend does something for you, you can specify that you are thankful for his action and why. 

How therapy can help

If you are finding it difficult to show your appreciation or if your partner expresses that they do not feel appreciated, couples counseling can be another great resource for you.

Many couples may already feel stretched thin with busy schedules that make it hard to find time for each other, let alone something new like counseling. With online therapy through Regain, you can meet with a therapist at a time that works for you and wherever you have internet, eliminating the need for a commute.

Plus, research has shown online therapy to be an effective option for improving relationship satisfaction.

A licensed counselor may be able to help you two get to the bottom of any negative feelings or patterns in your relationship and develop tools and strategies that can strengthen your bond to help get your relationship back on track. If those are not particular issues in your relationship, but you want to understand how to better express your appreciation for and feel appreciation from your partner, a counselor can help with that, too.

Below are therapist reviews from individuals who experienced similar issues in their relationship, and a Regain therapist was able to help.

Counselor reviews

“My girlfriend and I have been working with Alison for about four months now and with her help and guidance we have strengthened our relationship ten fold. Her communication style is amazing and she really strives to make the best of our time with one another. If you’re looking for a counselor you can put your faith in with the whole experience, she’s the one to go to.”

“With Cassandra’s help, we’ve been able to bring our relationship to a new, healthier, and much happier level, working through painful situations, growing as individuals and as a couple, and with tools to stay on this path. She’s very responsive, and it has been great to have her facilitate our messaging through the app all week. I highly recommend Cassandra. She’s skilled, supportive, and down-to-earth. We feel totally comfortable with her.”

Takeaway

Showing appreciation for your partner can be an important element in keeping the relationship strong. There are many ways to show your boyfriend you appreciate him, including the 10 ideas detailed above. For further help with relationship concerns, you can connect with an online therapist for support.