16 Simple Things You Can Do To Make Your Partner Feel Valued And Appreciated By You

Do you appreciate your partner?

A woman is embracing a man from behind in a kitchen, both smiling warmly. The man wears glasses and a white shirt, while the woman is in a sleeveless top. They appear happy and relaxed, with a modern kitchen setting in the background.

You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t.

But you’re wondering what the best way is to show them your appreciation.

There are so many great ways to let them know how thankful you are to have them in your life.

Here are 16 of them:

1. Tell them.

A woman and a man with gray hair walk side by side on a boardwalk overlooking a marina. Both are smiling and appear to be engaged in conversation. The background is slightly blurred, focusing on the couple.

Sometimes it’s best not to overcomplicate things.

Whether it’s your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife, the easiest way to show your appreciation is to find the right words and say them.

A simple “Thank you” is a good place to start, but you may want to add a little more, such as:

“Thank you, I am really grateful for that. You didn’t have to do it, but it reminds me what a kind and loving person you are.”

Just speak from the heart.

2. Write them a thank you note.

A person with long brown hair, dressed in a light-colored shirt, is lying on a bed while writing in a notebook with a black pen. The bed has grayish bedding and an open book lies next to them. The scene appears calm and focused.

A really sweet way to say thank you to your loved one is to write them a little note and leave it somewhere they will see it.

Perhaps you could drop it in their packed lunch or alongside the bookmark in whatever they are currently reading.

A note allows you to say more than you might when speaking to them and it gives you time to think about what you want to say rather than fumbling for the right words in the moment.

3. Spend time with them.

A couple walks hand in hand on a sunny boardwalk by the beach. The man is wearing an orange sweater, and the woman is wearing a white blouse. Two bicycles are parked by a railing in the background. The sky is clear and bright.

Nothing screams, “I’m taking you for granted!” more than spending all of your free time away from your partner.

But few things say, “I appreciate you.” more than spending some quality time with them.

It’s great that you have friends and hobbies of your own, but you must make sure that the two of you have ample time to maintain your personal and romantic connection.

4. Focus on their hobbies and interests.

Two cyclists take a break on a trail surrounded by autumn foliage. A bearded man in teal cycling gear smiles while straddling his bike, engaging in conversation with a woman in bright yellow and black cycling attire who stands beside her bike.

If you want to show someone you appreciate them, ask yourself what they really enjoy most and then make that a part of what you do for them.

Are they an active person who loves the countryside? Hire some bikes and plan a route that takes in some local beauty spots.

Do they have a favorite sports team? Buy tickets for an upcoming game and go along with them.

If they love graphic novels, take them to a convention.

This shows that you know them well and that you like how passionate they are about these particular things.

5. Be affectionate.

A couple is sitting together in a cozy room decorated for the holidays. The woman, wearing a light-colored sweater, is smiling and leaning back against the man, who is hugging her from behind. There is a wreath on the wall and holiday decorations in the background.

Most people like hugs, but when was the last time you gave your partner one?

Showing them affection shows them appreciation too.

It says, “I want to be close to you because you are important to me.”

Make time for hugs, kisses, holding hands, or a gentle caress of their neck/back/bum.

6. Take care of their chores.

A smiling woman embraces a man from behind while he washes dishes at the kitchen sink. The man wears an orange cleaning glove on one hand. They both appear happy and are in a brightly lit, modern kitchen.

Relationships often involve a sharing of chores, but you can show how grateful you are to have someone in your life by taking on their duties too every so often.

If they usually clean the bathroom or sort out the dishwasher, just do these things yourself.

This gives them that little bit more free time to relax and enjoy themselves.

It also communicates that you don’t take what they do for granted.

7. Buy them flowers.

A person with long hair, wearing a white sweater, smiles while receiving a bouquet of white and purple flowers from another person. The scene is warmly lit, creating a cheerful and pleasant atmosphere.

Yes, it’s the most classic of ways to thank someone, but it’s also very effective.

Giving your partner flowers – and without wishing to be sexist, it probably has the biggest effect on women – is a wonderful surprise.

Flowers are beautiful and they reflect the beauty you see in your partner (that’s a nice thing to say, too, if you’re wondering).

8. Compliment them.

A man and woman sitting on a couch by a window, smiling at each other. The man is playfully touching the woman's hair, and they appear to be in a cheerful mood, enjoying the sunlight streaming in from the window behind them.

People like to hear nice things spoken about them – that’s universal.

It makes us smile and it boosts our self-esteem.

So compliment your partner – not only for how they look, but for who they are and the traits you most like in them.

Praise them for the things they have been successful at, whether that’s work related or lifestyle changes they have been trying to make.

And, if you think they wouldn’t feel too awkward, say these nice things about them in front of other people to show how proud you are of them.

9. Let them have a lie in.

A person sleeping peacefully in bed, wrapped in white sheets, with a slight smile on their face. A soft pillow supports their head, and the room appears dimly lit, creating a calm and cozy atmosphere.

This one is particularly meaningful for parents of young children.

If you normally take it in turns to have a lie in at the weekend, take one for the team and get up early with your kid(s) on both Saturday and Sunday.

The fact that you are willing to give up some precious duvet time is proof enough that you appreciate them and everything they do for you and your family.

10. Make them breakfast in bed.

An elderly couple is sitting in bed under a beige blanket, smiling and enjoying breakfast. They have mugs and a tray with toast and jam. The bed has blue and polka dot sheets, and a lamp is in the background.

This one links up with the previous point.

If you let them stay in bed a little while longer whilst you get up, why not make use of that time by putting together a yummy breakfast?

Think about what they would most like – perhaps poached eggs on toast and a fresh fruit salad.

Or fry up some bacon, put it in a nice roll and squeeze on some ketchup!

Then take it to them in bed.

11. Take an interest in their life.

A man with a beard and a woman with long hair sit at a table, smiling at each other. The man is holding a smartphone while the woman is holding a white coffee mug. They are in a well-lit, modern room with minimalistic decor.

It feels nice to have someone ask how we are and what’s going on in our lives.

It’s even nicer when that person remembers things we’ve told them previously and asks us about them.

Do these things for your partner and they will know that you care about their well-being in a wider sense.

12. Listen to their problems attentively.

A man and woman, both casually dressed, sit on a brown leather couch in a well-lit room. The man is gesturing with his hands while talking, and the woman listens attentively. The room has large windows and a minimalist decor.

Part of the previous point will involve being an outlet for them to vent or rant or pour out their issues.

When they have things they are dealing with or working through, they will need someone to listen to them.

They want to feel heard and to know that their problems matter to you too.

Try not to minimize their feelings by downplaying the issue, but do reassure them that you are there to support them through this.

13. Surprise them with a night out.

man and woman on first date after meeting online

Couples will often fall into routines, and this is not a bad thing be any means.

But it’s good to break out of these sometimes by doing something a little more special.

Every so often, why not treat your partner to a night out. This might involve dinner, drinks, a show, a movie, a concert – whatever you think they’d enjoy most.

It needn’t be a too regular occurrence or it might lose its effect, but every now and again, show them that you appreciate them by organizing a night (or a day) out.

14. Cook their favorite meal (or order takeout).

A man in a blue apron is cooking in a bright kitchen. He smiles while stirring food in a pot on the stove. A variety of fresh vegetables, including carrots and zucchini, are on the counter. A chalkboard sign reads, "Today is a good day to have a good day.

If a night out is something to keep up your sleeve for just a few times a year, putting their favorite food on a plate is something to do more regularly.

If you cook, make it yourself (if you don’t, you could always give it a try anyway).

If it’s easier, just order takeout. You can get pretty much every cuisine you could imagine delivered to your door these days.

This shows that you know them well and that you want them to enjoy themselves because they deserve it.

15. Put on a movie you think they’d like.

A couple sitting on a couch, smiling and sharing a bowl of popcorn. The woman is wearing a yellow shirt and blue patterned pants, while the man is wearing a mustard yellow shirt. They are enjoying a relaxed moment together in a cozy setting.

Sticking to the theme of knowing them and wanting them to have fun, why not select a movie to watch one night that you know they’d enjoy.

Or give them a choice of a few if you’re not sure what they’ve already seen.

Again, you are prioritizing their enjoyment which is a clear sign that you appreciate them.

Or if you don’t have time for a movie, let them pick what to watch on TV even if it means you have to endure something you don’t personally like that much.

16. Put on their favorite music.

Two people are enjoying a drive in a convertible car. The sun is shining brightly, casting a warm glow on them. The person on the left, wearing a striped shirt, is driving, while the person on the right, with long hair, is smiling and raising their hand in joy.