This time of year I feel extra pressure to show my husband how much I love him. All around us people are going on dates to fancy restaurants and taking romantic weekend getaways. Yes, we’re married and I know I should make sure he knows how much I love him (and, uh, vice versa), but to be honest, I don’t always have time for the big stuff, especially since most of it involves planning in advance and arranging a babysitter.
And it’s not just the logistics. Honestly, most of the time I feel like my energy has been totally zapped and I don’t have the brain power to come up with even simple (but creative) romantic gestures, or the energy to pull them off. But all that is about to change! After doing a little research, I’ve come up with a killer list of little ways to make your partner feel loved. Believe me, if you manage to try even a few of the suggestions on this list, you are going to have one happy husband!
Oh, and dear husband? I am totally open to you making me feel loved with any of the ideas on this list!
Send a Snapchat
Send a quick and flirty Snapchat to let your honey know you're thinking of him!
Photo: Snapchat
Plan a Love Notes Scavenger Hunt
Fill mini-envelopes with cards listing all the things you adore about your partner, and then hide them here and there around the house! Extra points for humor.
For more ideas go to Paper & Stitch
Photo: Paper & Stitch
Make Bacon Hearts
You don't have to be an expert chef (or have a big budget) to make these adorable heart-shaped bacon strips that will definitely show your man you care.
Get the recipe from The Paper Mama
Photo: The Paper Mama
Pamper Him
As women, we often feel better after shaving our legs or doing a facial -- and guys do, too! Get him a trendy razor kit and ravage him after he's used it.
Buy this cool razor set at Harry's
Photo: Harry's
Let Him Sleep In
At my house, there is always a kid up at 6 a.m. My husband and I often take turns doing the early shift, but inevitably we're both up by 7 due to all the noise and commotion. Try taking the kids out of the house and let your husband get a real sleep -- for extra points, come home with croissants around 10 a.m!
Photo: Getty
Give Him Something Silly
This "I'm bananas for you, let's never split" needlepoint is totally silly and adorable -- a small token that you can hang somewhere to remind each other of your goofy sides.
Buy it on Etsy
Photo: Etsy
Give Him Personalized Beer
Let's face it, most guys like to unwind after a long day with a nice cold beer. Why not ramp up the love-factor by getting a selection of his fave beers and making personalized beer labels?! Super cute, crafty, and easy.
Find out more at Make the Best of Everything
Photo: Make the Best of Everything
Blow his Mind (& Other Things)
Not to sound crass, but let's be honest: all most guys really want is to get their rocks off! An awesome BJ should definitely do the trick (and here's how to give one in three -- yes, three! -- minutes).
Photo: Getty
Make a Collage
Create a collage of some of the most special moments you've shared. It's sure to spark some laughs (and romance, too!).
Make your own at Smilebox
Photo: Smilebox
Plan a Stay at Home Dinner
Having a special evening with your loved one doesn't have to mean booking a table at a fancy restaurant and finding a babysitter. Candlelight, flowers, a special home-cooked meal, and a bottle of something bubbly at home should do the trick.
Get some inspiration and tips here at Momtastic
Photo: Getty
Play the Game of Love
Spice things up in the bedroom with game that you play on your sheets! Each square has dares and fun activities to get you and your partner feelin' frisky.
Make it your self or buy a pre-made kit from East Coast Creative
Photo: East Coast Creative
Take a Shower Together
Surprise your husband by jumping into the shower with him! It'll be a fun, steamy way to start the day.
Photo: Getty
Watch a Sexy Foreign Film
Cuddling up on the couch with a foreign flick (like Kama Sutra) is a great way to spend time together, and who knows where it might lead. We've got an awesome roundup of foreign films with sizzling sex scenes right here.
Photo: Amazon/Kama Sutra
Lead Him on an Adventure
Okay, so chances are you can't whisk him away to Hong Kong, but take his hand and let him know you still want to experience new places and things with him...even if it's just a few blocks from your place.
Photo: Instagram/Murad Osmann
Make a Love Box
We all get stressed out, tired, and too busy for sex, but that doesn't make it okay! DIY-ing one of these nifty little boxes filled with lube, sex toys, and other fun is sure to make your partner feel loved!
Get the DIY tutorial from Thrift Diving
Photo: Thrift Diving
DIY Some Love Coupons
This printable love coupon book is a super adorable idea for your sweetheart. Let him cash in on a backrub, breakfast in bed, or even a day without chores!
Get the printables at I Heart Naptime
Photo: I Heart Naptime
Create a Mix Tape
Okay, obviously you won't be making a tape but maybe a CD or even a Spotify playlist of songs that you and your honey both love (or songs that remind you of him) will be something you can both cherish.
Photo: Getty
Watch a Sweet Movie
Not all guys want to be subjected to The Notebook on date night, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of quirky, indie rom-coms out there to snuggle up to. Try Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom", for instance (or any of these amazing movies). The film's sweet innocence will surely bring you and your sweetie closer together.
Photo: Amazon/Moonrise Kingdom
Find Time for PDA
Make out! Anytime, anyplace. Hold your partner's hand; kiss his cheek, his neck, his ear. Public displays of affection show your guy that you love him, and you want everyone to know it!
Photo: Getty
Read to Him
Go the intellectual route and treat your partner to some classic literature like Doctor Zhivago, one of the greatest love stories of all time.
Photo: Amazon/Doctor Zhivago
Make a 'Reasons I Love You' Poster
These printable "I Love You Because..." posters are super cute, and they give you a chance to hand-write all the myriad reasons you have for loving your partner, from "you take out the trash," to "you know my g-spot."
Get the printables at The Dating Divas
Photo: The Dating Divas
Serenade Him
Channel your inner Beyonce and break out into "Crazy in Love" when he's least expecting it, or bring things down a notch with "I Will Always Love You" or "Maybe I'm Amazed." He'll be swept off his feet.
Photo: Getty
Whip Up Some Truffles
A sinfully decadent homemade treat is sure to make your partner feel loved. Adding a fancy twist (like lavender) will add an extra edge this delectable confection.
Get the recipe for Honey Lavender Truffles at Momtastic
Photo: Momtastic
Let Him Have Some Guy Time
There are a lot of sexy ways to make your partner feel loved, but just giving him some time to himself (or time with the guys) could be a much needed gift. Let him play video games, go golfing, or just read the paper from cover to cover, without worrying that he's shirking his responsibilities.
Photo: Getty
Dance Together
Whether you're in your pajamas, on your way to work, or in the middle of making dinner, squeeze him tight and let him know you love him (and his killer dance moves).
Photo: Getty
Write a Mirror Love Note
Grab your brightest lipstick and write a special note to your partner on the bathroom mirror. Add a kiss to really make it pop!
Photo: Flickr/Daniel Webb
Make an A to Z Mini Love Book
Grab your thesaurus and get creative. Your partner will definitely feel the love with this adorable handmade booklet filled with 26 alphabetically listed things you love about him.
Get some great tips at The Thinking Closet
Photo: The Thinking Closet
Call Him Out of the Blue
It sounds so easy, right?! Just call him -- totally out of the blue -- simply to say "I love you."
Photo: Getty
Make Eye Contact
In this busy world, it's amazing how often we forget to just stop and look at one another. Take a moment to pause and look your partner in the eye. It could lead to a hug, a kiss, a conversation, and it'll reset your inner stress-meter.
Photo: Getty
Send a Thoughtful E-Mail
Include a funny YouTube video, or an article that made you think of him, and add a quick note that says how much you miss him.
Photo: Getty
Make a T-Shirt Pillow
I love the idea of turning a shirt into a pillow! You could find a favorite shirt he no longer wears, or look for something kitchy at a thrift store, and make your partner feel loved with something crafty and cuddly.
Get the DIY tutorial at Ruffles & Stuff
Photo: Ruffles & Stuff
More Ways to Connect:
The 20 Best Romantic Comedies You’ve Never Seen
101 Date Ideas That Are Cheap and Fun
7 Tricks to Finding Time for Sex After Baby
The post Married? 31 Little Actions That Say ‘I Love You’ (& Are Easy to Do) appeared first on Momtastic.