42 Creative Handmade Gift Ideas for Your Boyfriend

Would you like to tell your boyfriend how much you appreciate him with a cute, handmade gift he’ll love? Show him that you can make perfect creations for his birthday, your anniversary, Valentine’s Day, or any day you want to say “I love you.” Check out our guide to homemade presents for a boyfriend that includes romantic, cheap, and last-minute options.

Best DIY Gift Ideas for a Boyfriend

Crafting and DIY expert Kathleen Ballos recommends wearable, practical, and consumable DIY gifts, such as a custom shirt, mug, or an edible treat. Other DIY gifts for him depend on what you're celebrating. For example:

Birthday: Personalized Photo Album
Anniversary: Monthly Date Cards
Valentine’s Day: Sense Boxes
Just Because: What I Love About You From A to Z
Cheap: Love Coupons
Long-Distance: Date From Afar Package

Section 1 of 8:

Romantic DIY Birthday Presents for Boyfriend

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Personalized Photo Album Show him how important he is to you by filling a customizable photo album with photos of your adventures together. You don’t have to just include photos, either. Include love letters, mementos, and drawings in your DIY album. One with self-adhesive pages makes it easy to turn every new page into more evidence of why you love him so much.
- Difficulty level: Moderate (depending on method)
- Time commitment: 1 day+
- If you decide to write or draw in the photo album, use metallic pens so your message or artwork really jumps off of the page.
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Memo Board You can transform a blank cork bulletin board into something special with just a little handiwork. Add cute notes about special dates, small decorative items, or a collage of photos he’ll adore. Or, you can make it even more elaborate by wrapping a ribbon or colored string over the board in a pattern, so he can stick more items onto the board.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 1-3 hours
- Arts & crafts specialist Amy Guerrero suggests decorating a bulletin board “by painting the cork, the frame, or covering the cork with fabric, paper, or washi tape. Stapling on ribbon lengths in a criss-cross pattern will give you the opportunity to tuck things under them and display them on your board without having to put a pin hole in them. Painting a top section of your board and hand lettering on a title or quote helps to create a unique display area.”^{[1]
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Corona Beer Cake Replace a traditional birthday cake with one made from Corona, or whatever his favorite beer is, to surprise him for his birthday. Use cardboard bases wrapped in foil or wrapping paper and tape a circle of beer cans together; then, cover the tape with decorative ribbon. Do this for the middle tier as well, and include beer bottles on the top tier. You can stuff a crumpled-up paper bag in the center of the beer circle to keep them in place and add any other decorations you like.^{[2]
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- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Time commitment: 30 minutes to 2 hours
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Customized Mug Turn his first cup of coffee in the morning into a reminder of how much you love him with a mug that you can customize. Get it personalized with a photo that he’ll love to celebrate his birthday, including one of the two of you or a cute picture taken from his childhood.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 1-2 hours (if DIY)
- Don’t be afraid to get crafty, even if you don’t have much experience. Crafting & DIY home specialist Diane Henkler states that “the only way to learn and get better at things is to just start trying. You're going to make a mistake. You just have to keep making mistakes and you get better and better. You just have to dive in and do it and you'll be so surprised at how much better you get, your confidence grows.”^{[3]
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- For a budget-friendly option, buy a blank mug and use colored sharpies to draw in your birthday message or image, or get a DIY mug-painting kit. Make sure to practice before designing his birthday mug for real!
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Candy Guitar If you can’t get your boyfriend a guitar for his birthday, cheer him up by making one out of his favorite candy bars instead. Simply cut out a guitar shape on a piece of cardboard and then tape different shaped candies to the guitar itself; pick colors and shapes that add to the guitar’s look. You can go all the way with wire or string for the guitar strings and a glue gun for help.
- Difficulty level: Easy to advanced (depending on method)
- Time commitment: 1-2 hours to days
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Birthday Box Make your own special box of birthday treats for one of the best homemade presents for your boyfriend. Fill a gift box with everything that celebrates his big day, including photos, a handmade happy birthday sign to hang on the inside of the top box layer, flowers, treats, and other gifts you want to add. You can even string a small set of lights to make it extra special for him.^{[4]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 1-2 hours or more

Section 2 of 8:

Unique DIY Anniversary Gifts for Your Boyfriend

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Box of Memories Turn your anniversary into a reason to celebrate your relationship with a personalized box of memories. Arrange lots of photos, letters, and mementos you share into a shadow box. Include ticket stubs, souvenirs from trips or events, and personal items that embody your time together.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 30 minutes
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Monthly Date Cards Go full DIY by putting together monthly date cards to inspire the next year of your relationship. All you’ll need is a set of markers, and matching cards and envelopes. Be creative when you come up with possible dates, like watching the sunset, taking a cooking class, or going on a road trip.^{[5]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 1-2 hours
- Have fun randomly picking date ideas once a month until your next anniversary.
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First Anniversary Scrabble Box Turn a game of scrabble into a loving anniversary gift that shows your boyfriend how much you love him. Take a shadow box and affix scrabble pieces inside to spell out your names or words like love, happy, or the number of months/years you’ve been together. He can hang up this handmade piece of art that’ll stand out on any wall.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Time commitment: 1-3 hours
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DIY Canvas Print Not all DIY gifts for partners have to involve work on your part—order a DIY canvas print that you can customize with your favorite photo of the 2 of you. Having a large canvas print can remind him of you whenever you’re not together. Plus, it’s easier and less time-consuming to order than, say, painting your boyfriend a portrait.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to advanced (depending on method)
- Time commitment: 1-3 hours (or more)
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Personalized Scrapbook Relive your favorite times together as a couple by putting together a romantic scrapbook yourself. All you need is a scrapbook album, along with supplies like scissors, adhesives, and colored paper to make each page come alive.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to advanced
- Time commitment: 1-4 hours
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Wishing Ball Make a statement filled up with wishes to inspire yourself and your boyfriend’s future as a couple. Take a colored glass wishing ball and fill it with little notes that represent your goals, wishes, hopes, and dreams. Your boyfriend can add a new one or revisit ones already placed there to help build your hopes for a bright future together.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to advanced
- Time commitment: 3-5 hours

Section 3 of 8:

Fun Valentine’s Day Handmade Presents for Boyfriend

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Sense Boxes Celebrate Valentine’s Day by inviting your boyfriend to indulge in the 5 senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. All you need is a bunch of small brown gift bags, along with labels you can write the sense onto. For instance, the “touch” gift can include things like a soft blanket or fuzzy dice; the “smell” gift can be something like cologne, body spray, or essential oils.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Time commitment: 20 minutes to 1 hour (or more)
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Punch Board Punch boards are a lot of fun, so surprise your boyfriend with a punch board you can customize this Valentine’s Day. Behind each paper circle he can punch his way into, you can place a small gift he’ll adore. Because there are typically 12 holes to each board, it’s ok to add small trinkets or fun treats so you don’t break the bank while filling up the punch board.
- Difficulty level: Moderate to advanced
- Time commitment: 30 minutes to 2 hours
- You can let him start punching his way to Valentine’s Day gifts as far ahead in advance as you’d like, so he finishes his gift-getting on the actual holiday.
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Glass Spotify Song Keepsake One of the coolest DIY things for boyfriends you can give is a Spotify song glass plaque that’s been customized with your photo and special song. Most plaques allow you to scan the code to play the song on Spotify on your mobile phone or TV. This way, he can listen to your favorite long song any time he wants.^{[6]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: None
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Personalized Photo Map Celebrate your journey as a couple with a personalized photo map of the U.S. The map allows you to use an online tool that crops your personal photos into the desired state you want to commemorate your visit to. Once all 50 states on the map have photos, it’s time to go international with your travels!^{[7]
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- Difficulty level: Moderate to advanced
- Time commitment: 1 hour to 1 day+
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Hand Casting Kit The most romantic way to celebrate Valentine’s Day includes creating a cast of both your hands intertwined. The easy-to-use kit makes it simple and fun to hold hands, only to create a beautiful keepsake of the love you both share. It looks great on display and is a potent reminder of how much you love each other, even when it’s not Valentine’s Day.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Time commitment: 30 minutes (1+ day to dry)
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Love Box Messenger Sending a love box messenger to your Valentine is like a virtual care package; it’s a small digital keepsake you can fill with your favorite photos, videos, and messages of love. By using the mobile app, you can also send things like drawings and stickers whenever you want them to play or pop up on your loved one’s messenger. It’ll let him know you’re thinking about him in real time.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 10-30 minutes

Section 4 of 8:

Cute DIY Presents for Boyfriend Just Because

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Something Out of the Blue Box Giving or sending a “something out of the blue” box is a wonderful way to let him know he matters, on any day. Use a blue box and write “something out of the blue” on the inside. Put whatever sweet gifts you want him to have inside.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Time commitment: 30 minutes to 2 hours
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What I Love About You From A to Z Fill up colored miniature note cards with reasons you love him just because. Go from A to Z and think hard about what makes him the best boyfriend around. Be cute, funny, and thoughtful with your choices; keep the cards together if possible, so he has easy access whenever he needs a boost.^{[8]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 30 minutes to 1 hour
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Handwritten Love Letters Channel old-fashioned romance by taking the time to write your boyfriend actual love letters. Once you get a stationary set, simply gather your thoughts and write him a set of love letters, one by one. Send each to him at regular, but unplanned intervals, so he is pleasantly surprised every time.^{[9]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 10 minutes to 1 hour
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Exploding Box Make the moment your boyfriend opens up his special gift like nothing else he’s experienced with an exploding box. These sets pop open when he attempts to unwrap them and explode with pieces of confetti. Once the confetti settles, he’ll be able to see and enjoy whatever gifts you put inside.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 30 minutes to 1 hour
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Personalized Puzzle A puzzle is a fun anytime gift, but it becomes something extra special when the image in the puzzle is a personalized photo for your boyfriend. You can put the puzzle together as a couple or give it to him as a gift already completed (and frame it!).^{[10]
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- Difficulty level: Moderate (to put together)
- Time commitment: 2 hours+
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DIY Focaccia Art Kit Get crafty in the kitchen with a little help from this DIY focaccia kit to make your next food-related gift to your boyfriend delicious and beautiful. It’s got the basics you need to bake a focaccia at home, along with step-by-step instructions.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Time commitment: 2 hours (+ rising time)

Section 5 of 8:

Long-Distance DIY Gifts for Boyfriend

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365 Reasons Why I Love You Jar This super sweet gift is made up of a glass jar filled with 365 little note cards, one for each day of the year. On each card, write one of 365 reasons why you love your boyfriend most (and how much you miss him). The reasons can vary from how strong and thoughtful he is to how cute he is while he sleeps or how much he loves his dog. Take the time to fill the jar, so anytime he needs a reminder of why he’s so great, he can just take a note out of the jar.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Time commitment: Several hours to several days (to complete 365 messages)
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Treats Box Make the gift you give him simple, yet effective by focusing it on treats he can eat. Chocolates, candies, chips, or meaty treats provide the best “just because” package he can hope to receive. Any time he has a craving, he can reach for his “something out of the blue” box to satiate his hunger. It’s easy to find ready-made treat gift packages online that you can have sent directly to him.^{[11]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: None
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Kisses Offer as many kisses as possible to your guy from a distance with a jar full of Hershey’s Kisses. You can get one personalized or pre-loaded, or simply fill a glass jar with kisses and some additional decoration. Every time he grabs a chocolatey treat for himself, he’s likely to think of you, too.^{[12]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 10 minutes (DIY version)
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Date Night From Afar When you can’t enjoy in-person dates too often, send your boyfriend a “date night from afar” package. You can get one for yourself, too, and share an experience over the phone or a video call. For instance, send him a movie night care package so you can both watch a film together from afar, or a DIY food kit so you can both learn how to make something new together (virtually).
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Time commitment: 2 hours+
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“Open Me When” Letters Keep the gift-giving going by making your own “open me when” letters you can give to your boyfriend all at once. Get a colorful set of markers and blank card and envelope sets you can write unique messages inside. On the envelopes, write “open me when…,” followed by specific dates or moments. For example, one can read “open me when you miss me” or “open me when you’re thinking about our first date.”^{[13]
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- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate (depending on # of letters)
- Time commitment: 1 hour to several hours
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Video Greeting Card Why show your boyfriend your favorite photos on his birthday when you can surprise him with videos instead? Use a video greeting card to add video memories of big events in his life so he can revisit them anytime he likes. For a true DIY birthday message, make a video yourself and attach it to a digital greeting card.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 5 minutes to 1 hour

Section 6 of 8:

Cheap Homemade Presents for Boyfriend

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Light Bulb Teaser This inexpensive, quirky way to treat your boyfriend only requires a light bulb jar with a lid. Otherwise, you can get as creative as you like, filling it with little notes, treats, or other fun miniatures. Be sure to include a tag that lets him know how much he turns you on.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 10 to 30 minutes
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Gym Care Package Give your guy a care package like he’s never seen before, that's perfect for his trips to the gym. Fill it up with workout gear, protein powder, nutrition bars, and a sturdy water bottle. He’ll get a great workout, and thank you for thinking of making his gym habit even better every time.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 15 minutes to 1 hour
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Handwritten Frame Frame your favorite photo to give to your boyfriend with a matte border around the photo itself. Use a Sharpie to handwrite some words of love or parts of love letters (i.e., texts) you’ve shared during your relationship. It won’t cost extra to personalize this photo present, and it will allow you to add your own special touch.^{[14]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 10 to 30 minutes
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Love Coupons Treat your boyfriend to a gift that promises much more to come with love coupons. You can purchase them at a low cost or create your own as well. Write things on the coupons like “30-minute massage,” “home-cooked dinner,” or “trip to a baseball game.” Whatever you think he wants most, you can focus your love coupons on.^{[15]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 30 minutes
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Hooked on You This cheap DIY gift for guys uses a fishing theme to get its point across. All you have to do is get a plastic tackle box and write “hooked on you” on the inside of the lid. Then, fill each tiny compartment with little treats, trinkets, or actual fishing lures if fishing happens to be his thing.^{[16]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 15 to 30 minutes
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52 Things Cards When you’re looking for cute things to do for your boyfriend, but you’re on a budget, try making him a “52 things I love about you” set of cards. All you need is a deck of cards, a Sharpie, binder rings, and a hole puncher. Use the joker as the front and last card; write a reason why you adore your boyfriend on all 52 cards in between. Punch 2 holes in all the cards and connect them using a ring binder. He’ll love the thought and care you put into this super sweet gift.^{[17]
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- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Time commitment: 1-2 hours
- Don’t forget to sign your name on the back of the set of cards like you’d sign a piece of art you created.
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Personalized Wine Label If you’re giving your boyfriend an inexpensive but delicious bottle of wine, try adding a personalized label with your names and picture added. If you want to keep costs at an absolute minimum, get blank wine labels and create your own vintage that celebrates love better than any other you can buy.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 15 minutes (DIY version)

Section 7 of 8:

Quick & Creative Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Your Boyfriend

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Sexy Polaroids Awaken his interest when he misses you the most by giving him sexy polaroids you take of yourself. Use a Polaroid camera to take provocative pics you want your boyfriend to have, and give or send them to him. It’s as quick and simple as that; all you need to do is have fun taking selfies that he’ll love having around.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 30 minutes to 1 hour (depending on # of photos)
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Felt Letter Board Getting a felt letter board means that all you have to do to make the gift special is arrange the letters to say something you want your boyfriend to read. Write him a short love poem, say his name, or add a quote about love to get him started.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 10 minutes
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Shoe Box Take the simple act of getting your boyfriend new shoes and turn it into a DIY project by decorating the inside of the box. Say things like “I’m so happy you walked into my life” to make him giggle as he enjoys his new sneakers. Feel free to add other gifts inside the box so he really feels the love.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 10 minutes to 1 hour
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Succulent Mini-Garden Let your gardening skills inspire you to buy a few miniature succulents and plant them in one single pot. This little garden is an ideal way to add some greenery to his life while letting them know how much you love him. He’ll love taking care of something you created (with little effort!).^{[18]
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- Difficulty level: Easy
- Time commitment: 30 minutes to 1 hour
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DIY Candlesticks Call on your creativity when it comes to making DIY candlesticks out of multiple materials you might have around. Use short jars, pinecones, or ceramic mugs. Melt some wax at the bottom so the candles stay in place and he’ll have some eccentric mood lighting to enjoy.^{[19]
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- Difficulty level: Moderate to advanced
- Time commitment: 1-3 hours
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Clipboard Frames Make artwork for his walls without spending a lot and taking too much time to do it. Collect a few wooden clipboards and attach a wire hook at the top so he can hang them up as frames. Add your favorite images, along with photos of the 2 of you, and give them to him as a present he won’t forget.^{[20]
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- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Time commitment: 1-3 hours

Section 8 of 8:

Beyond Gifts: Other Ways to Make Your Boyfriend Feel Special

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When he thinks he’s having leftovers or is unsure of what’s for dinner, surprise him with a sumptuous meal from his favorite restaurant. Order many of the dishes he loves most, especially if it’s from a place he’s been craving or wanting to try for ages. He’ll appreciate the gesture and love enjoying such a delicious meal with you by his side.
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Create meaningful alone time for them. Set aside time one evening and do things like draw him a bath—complete with candles, his favorite relaxing music, a good book, and some essential oils to bring him even more serenity. The most important step is to then leave him completely alone for as long as he needs. This shows that you understand how important self-care and alone time can be for him.
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Plan your next date completely. Don’t let him lift a finger the next time you go out on a date. Think about something you know he’d love, like a trip to his favorite museum, event, sports game, or art exhibit. Get tickets ahead of time, make reservations at a restaurant he loves, and work out every detail so he doesn’t have to, from transportation, extras, and other activities to keep him occupied for the night.
- Before you plan this elaborate date, make sure it’s a day/night when he’s free and you’re 100% sure he can go.
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Practice active listening. When he talks to you about something that’s on his mind, do your best to really listen. Active listening means you’re taking him everything he’s saying instead of planning your reply. Focus on him by looking him right in the eyes, show empathy, and let him know you’re there for him, no matter how long he wants to talk.
Even if it’s out of the blue, tell him how handsome he looks, how wonderful he’s put together if you’re going out, or how amazing a person he is. You may think he knows how you feel, but telling him outright will truly make him feel super special.
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Do chores or errands for him. It may not seem romantic, but if he comes home only to see you cleaned up his place, re-organized his kitchen pantry (like he’s been wanting to), or did his huge pile of laundry, he’s sure to feel loved where it counts.
Does he know you believe in him and the things he cares about? Sure, he does—would he love to hear it from you directly? Of course! Be his greatest cheerleader when it comes to anything in life he’s working toward, whether it’s a school degree, dream job, or personal goal he’s after.^{[21]
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