14 Ways to Tell Your Spouse “I Love You!”

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When’s the last time you told your spouse you love them?

Does it seem like you’ve said it the same way too many times in a row and maybe it would mean more presented a little differently?

My husband and I met around Halloween and fell for each other pretty hard and fast. Which means that come Christmas time, I was looking for ways to show him I loved him. We both had the idea of doing the 12 Days of Christmas for each other and it was so much fun! I wanted to rekindle that special memory and found 14 ways to tell him “I Love You!”

Here are some of the ideas I came up with:

1. Leave a Surprise. Get them something fun and unexpected on a random day. The first day of Christmas was the most fun because he wasn’t expecting it. I left a package on his car windshield and hide across the street to watch him find it. It warmed my heart (still does) to see his joy finding it.
2. Write a Poem. Get a card or a sticky note or a napkin and compose a few words. It can be the “roses are red” type or whatever silliness or loveliness strikes you. Or go all out and write them a book.
3. Make a Favorite Dessert. My husband likes cakes and pies while I prefer cookies. Cookies are frequently found at our house, but occasionally I make something special for him. And calories don’t count when it’s a message of love.
4. Write it on the Bathroom Mirror. In dry erase marker, lipstick, soap, or even in the steam from the shower. It’ll be a nice surprise when they’re up early getting ready for the day.
5. Give a Foot Massage. Go all out and wash and moisturize their feet. Put on soothing music and relax together while you rub. Don’t like feet? Give ’em a good soak first and it’s way easier!
6. Lose an Argument. Maybe we’re the only ones who sometimes argue over the ridiculous? But since it really doesn’t matter which route you take to the grocery store, do it their way.
7. Take Over a Chore. Everyone has those little 5 minute jobs that you still put off forever. So take five minutes and take one off of their to do list. Take the garbage out. Put away the laundry. Change the lightbulb.
8. Hand the Remote Over. Most of the time I insist on a show that we both enjoy. But watching the WWII documentary for one night won’t kill you. And you can snuggle up and sleep through it anyway!
9. Make Out. Don’t ignore the physical. It’s an important way to bond and grow the relationship. Snuggle up together and enjoy being with each other.
10. Send a Text of Gratitude. I have a friend who sends me super kind thank you message out of the blue. It’s sweet, it makes me feel amazing, puts a smile on my face. So I’ve tried to do that occasionally for my husband. Just a message during the day for him to find that thanks him for being the best.
11. Clean Out the Car and Wash It. My husband grew up washing cars with his family, so doing it together means more to him. But even as a surprise, who doesn’t love have a freshly vacuumed car?!
12. Frame a Picture. The other day my mom asked for a picture of just the two of us (no kids) and I realized we hadn’t taken any of just us since our first kid was born! What?! So take a picture of the two of you and frame it for their office so they can always see that you love them.
13. Sing a Song. Sometimes we ask Alexa to play a love song and then sing it to each other along with the artist. Because he really is the Wind Beneath My Wings.
14. Say It. Maybe you already say it frequently. We do. But I used to always beat him home from work and then greet him with an “I Love You”. Everyday. Just so he didn’t forget it.

How do you tell your spouse you love them?

The ways listed above cover many of the love language, but another great idea is to review the love languages as outlined by Gary Chapman and make sure you know which love language your partner both speaks and hears, not to mention your languages!