51 Sweet Things to Do For Your Girlfriend

Listen to love experts’ advice on how to treat your gf

Co-authored by Courtney Quinlan and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: April 2, 2025 Fact Checked

You want your girlfriend to always know how much you love and care about her, but how do you keep showing her in new and exciting ways? We talked to professional matchmakers Alysha Jeney and Courtney Quinlan to get expert insight on cute things you can do for your girlfriend. With their recommendations in mind, we’ve compiled this list of romantic ideas for her, and you’re sure to find something that your gf will love.

1

Paste cute messages on her mirror.

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Give your sweetheart a sweet note to read while brushing her teeth. Get some sticky notes (bonus points if they’re heart-shaped sticky notes!) and write loving messages on them. Stick them onto her mirror as a romantic surprise.
- Write something personal, or stick with a classic like “You look beautiful today” or “I’ve only got eyes for you!”

2

Sneak a handwritten note in her lunch.

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If your gf packs her own lunch everyday, this is a great midday surprise. While she’s bustling around getting ready for work, slip a little handwritten note into her lunchbox or brown paper bag. You can even add her favorite candy or another treat! Try a cute pun based on what she’s eating for lunch, such as:
- “Hope your day is as ‘soup’erb as you!”
- “Have I told you ‘reese’ntly that I love you?”
- “You are ‘berry’ special to me.”

3

Give her a cute nickname.

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Make your girlfriend feel extra special with a sweet pet name. Choose a classic nickname like angel, princess, or sweetheart. Or, choose a silly food-related nickname like muffin, jellybean, or pumpkin.^{[1]
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- Try a more personalized nickname using her name or a special quality she has, like “Lottie” if her name is Charlotte or “Sunshine” if she has a sunny disposition.

4

Cook her a meal.

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You don’t need to do anything fancy to make your gal feel special. Prepare anything that she enjoys eating, whether you’re making homemade guacamole or baking a chocolate cake from scratch.
- Everything’s better as a surprise, which is why relationship therapist Alysha Jeney recommends secretly planning your romantic meal while your partner is out of the house.
- Jeney details how you can “buy the ingredients and prepare [the recipe] at home with a bottle of wine, some music, and make a night of it together.”^{[2]
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  Alysha Jeney, MA, LMFT
  Licensed Relationship Therapist
  
  Expert Interview}

5

Bring her breakfast in bed.

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Your girlfriend will be pleasantly surprised to wake up to a yummy meal. Set your alarm early and sneak out of bed without waking your girlfriend. Start with something simple: like eggs, buttered toast, bacon, a bowl of fruit (or whatever your girlfriend likes to eat for breakfast!).^{[3]
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- Pair your breakfast with a glass of juice and a cup of coffee or tea.
- For an extra dose of sweetness, set her up with her favorite TV show on a laptop or bring her a book to peruse while she enjoys her breakfast in bed.

6

Surprise her at work.

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Make your girlfriend’s day by surprising her at the office. In order to “keep things spicy and fresh” with your girlfriend, dating coach Courtney Quinlan recommends “surprising her with flowers at work.”^{[4]
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Courtney Quinlan
Matchmaker & Dating Coach

Expert Interview}
- Bring her a coffee or lunch from her favorite restaurant as an additional treat.
- But if you think your girlfriend may be embarrassed by a grand romantic gesture in front of her coworkers, you might want to skip this one.

7

Be her chauffeur for the day.

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Does your girl hate driving, or just need some extra pampering lately? Become her own personal limo (or midsize sedan) service. Set aside a day where she needs to run a lot of errands or just wants to visit some different shops and spots. Open the door for her, have her sit in the backseat, and ask her where she wants to go next!
- Blast some of her favorite tunes that you can sing or bop along to for the whole ride.
- This is a simple but meaningful way that you can show your girlfriend you care and spend quality time together.
- To go the extra mile, buy a chauffeur costume that will really complete the picture.

8

Help her with chores.

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We all have things that we put off or feel we don’t have time for. Help your girlfriend out by taking care of a chore she’s dreading (like cleaning the bathroom) or even doing some handiwork and fixing up around her home.^{[5]
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- Women (and people, in general) in joy feeling like their partner can do things for them without being asked.
- Alysha Jeney, the owner of Modern Love Counseling, reaffirms this want and invites partners to “make dinner without your partner asking, do the laundry without [your] partner asking, so some things that you know would alleviate some of her stress.”^{[6]
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  Alysha Jeney, MA, LMFT
  Licensed Relationship Therapist
  
  Expert Interview}

9

Notice when she changes her appearance.

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Noticing even the smallest changes in her daily look will go a long way in making her feel like you’re paying attention to her and how she’s feeling. Whether it’s a new hairstyle, wardrobe addition, or fresh manicure, make sure to tell her how gorgeous she looks.

10

Tell her that she’s perfect.

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As often as possible, remind your girlfriend of how perfect she is. Say that nothing about her needs to change, and you love her for exactly who she is.

11

Compliment her on the little things.

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Compliments don’t always have to be grand declarations of love. In fact, they feel more genuine and specific when they’re about little, everyday things that you love about your girlfriend.^{[7]
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- Try complimenting her nice handwriting, the cute way she sneezes, or how attentively she listens when you’re telling her about your day.
- Reader Poll: We asked 472 wikiHow readers who have a girlfriend and 50% of them agreed that the best way to compliment her is by pointing out something specific about her outfit. [Take Poll] So try making a sweet, specific comment about what she’s wearing!

12

Acknowledge her efforts.

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The next time she goes out of her way to do something for you, or even her friends and family, take a moment to intentionally acknowledge her efforts. Make sure you have her full attention before lovingly saying how much you appreciate her and see all she does for you and others.^{[8]
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13

Be supportive of her in public.

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Whether you’re with a group of friends or strangers, support your girlfriend’s opinions and what she has to say. Treat her kindly when you’re out and about together.^{[9]
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14

Encourage her toward her goals.

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Your girlfriend may have big goals that she’s working toward. Make sure you know all of them and show her that you’re listening when she talks about her dreams and ambitions. When she makes progress or is working hard at what she loves, acknowledge it verbally and tell her how proud you are of her or how well she’s doing.
- It’s equally important to praise her when she’s struggling and feeling defeated. Remind her that good things take time and that you’re there to support her.^{[10]
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15

Serenade her.

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Depending on your relationship, you could serenade her in public or in the privacy of your home. Pull up a karaoke track that speaks to your relationship, or pull out a guitar or piano and sing her a song that describes exactly how you feel about her.

16

Post a sweet picture of you both on social media.

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You may not care about social media, but your girlfriend might. Posting a picture of her, or the two of you together, will make her feel special and loved. You’re showing her off to the world, and some occasional bragging about the most beautiful woman you know never hurts!
- Try a caption like, “My favorite love story is ours,” “Every minute I’m with you, I love you more,” or “When I look at you, I’m home.”

17

Be extra chivalrous.

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It’s never a bad time to show your girlfriend a bit of chivalry. Show her your love by “opening doors, pulling out chairs, and flirting with her,” advises professional matchmaker Courtney Quinlan.^{[11]
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Courtney Quinlan
Matchmaker & Dating Coach

Expert Interview}
- These small acts of chivalry will make her feel like you value her and respect her needs and feelings.
- If you’ve been dating for a while already, it’s easy to get comfortable and forget to treat your girl like the princess she is!

18

Take her on a fancy date.

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Have most of your recent dates involved Netflix and a couch? While there’s nothing wrong with a low-key date night, spice it up with a traditional fancy dinner date. Book a table at a nice restaurant, get all glammed up, and treat your girl to a meal she’ll never forget.^{[12]
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- Up your date night game with a dinner cruise or skip dinner altogether and go out for a fancy dessert!

19

Recreate your first date.

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Revisit the early stages of your romance with a redo of your first date! Go to the same place you did on your first date, whether it’s a restaurant, amusement park, or movie theater. If you don’t live near that spot anymore (or they’re no longer in business), do a DIY-date recreation.
- For example, maybe your first date was at an Italian restaurant.
- Set up your home to look like the restaurant, complete with printed menus, checkered tablecloths and classical music.
- You could even ask your close friends to dress up as waiters and provide the complete experience!

20

Play her favorite music and give her a massage.

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Put on your girlfriend’s favorite album or playlist that gives off relaxing vibes. Light a candle or burn some incense. Grab some massage oil and give a massage to your sweetheart!

21

Pay attention to the things she likes.

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Keep your gf’s preferences in mind when planning dates. Listen to her when she describes her preferred activities, likes, and dislikes. Courtney Quinlan, the founder of Midwest Matchmaking, recommends “paying attention to those small details rather than doing what you want to do and assuming she’s going to like those activities.”^{[13]
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Courtney Quinlan
Matchmaker & Dating Coach

Expert Interview}
- Quinlan presents examples like, “if her favorite drink is a Cosmo, go to a restaurant and order a Cosmo. If her favorite activity is yoga, do a yoga class with her. If her favorite sports team is the Chiefs, watch the Chiefs game with her.”^{[14]
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  Courtney Quinlan
  Matchmaker & Dating Coach
  
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22

Ask her about her love language.

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Understanding your girl’s love language shows you care about her happiness. Ask her to share her love language with you, or you both can discover your love languages together! After you know her love language, use that to inform what cute and romantic things you do for your girlfriend.
- “Be in touch with her love language…and what makes her feel loved, and then act upon that,” advises dating coach Courtney Quinlan.^{[15]
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- If she values acts of service, Quinlan specifies, you might do something for her like taking her car to get washed when it’s dirty.^{[16]
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23

Do something out of your routine.

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If you’re in a date night rut, do something unexpected! Take a spontaneous road trip to a nearby town or attraction, or go for a long walk in the rain. Try to think of unique dates besides dinner and a movie, and plan the whole thing as a cute surprise for your GF!^{[17]
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- Going ice skating or touring a brewery or winery are just a few of the fun date ideas provided by matchmaker Courtney Quinlan.^{[18]
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- Quinlan also offers suggestions like going on a dog park date, going to a “couple’s cooking class, some kind of concert or musical,...or maybe a dancing class.”^{[19]
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- Continuing with her list of cute dates to choose from, Quinlan also recommends going to “an arcade like Dave & Busters, a drive-in movie theater,...a spa day, or a couples massage.”^{[20]
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  Expert Interview}

24

Organize a get together with her friends.

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It can be hard to make time in busy schedules to see friends. If your girlfriend is feeling distant from pals right now, it’s a cute gesture to do that legwork for her and get all of her besties together! Contact each of her friends individually and find a time everyone is free.
- You could make a reservation for them at a fun restaurant, set up a sleepover at your house, or host a massive game night! Once you get them all together, the possibilities are endless!

25

Surprise her with a spa day.

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A sweet gesture and a stress reliever all at once! Set up a spa appointment for your girlfriend and make her wear a blindfold when you’re en route in the car. She’ll feel leaving relaxed and even more sure of your undying love.
- As the founder of Midwest Matchmaking, Courtney Quinlan sees firsthand how a special surprise can help women know that their significant other is thinking about them.^{[21]
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- ”Especially if she’s having a rough time with something,” says Quinlan, “do old school romantic things like leaving her a love note on her car or treating her to a day at the spa.”^{[22]
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26

Plan a treasure hunt for her.

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Make a fun activity out of a simple gift-giving opportunity. Set up a series of clues with each one leading to the next location. Your final location should have a special surprise, like a sweet gift or a romantic love letter.^{[23]
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- Make your treasure hunt into a romantic journey through your relationship by including important locations or clues that connect to your love story.
- For example, you could lead her to the places where you had your first date or first kiss.
- Your treasure hunt can be indoors or outdoors, but either way it’ll be an experience that your girlfriend will never forget!

27

Plan a romantic staycation or getaway.

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A mini-vacation (wherever you are) will give you precious quality time together. Surprise her with a weekend stay at an AirBnB or hotel. If going to another city or town doesn’t fit in your schedule (or budget), “surprise [your girlfriend] by making a room in your house into a vacation spot,” recommends intimacy specialist Alysha Jeney.
- Jeney describes how you can “put a mattress in the living room and watch movies…or even camp in your backyard.”^{[24]
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  Alysha Jeney, MA, LMFT
  Licensed Relationship Therapist
  
  Expert Interview}

28

Go stargazing together.

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Try this romantic date that only requires a blanket and the night sky. Pack a picnic and plenty of warm blankets. Head to a park or somewhere else where you can sit back and stare up at the sky. Try to find constellations and planets and see who can spot them first!
- If possible, take your girlfriend somewhere far away from any major urban areas whose lights will make it harder to see the stars.
- Bring along a portable speaker to play some romantic tunes while you stargaze!

29

Play tourist with her.

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If you can’t go on a real whirlwind trip, explore your own city! Plan a touristy itinerary through your city or town, and take your girlfriend around to all the hottest spots or to a neighborhood you don’t know well.^{[25]
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- You can even go extra on-theme by dressing like tourists, complete with fanny packs and a GoPro camera!

30

Give her a piggyback ride.

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In fact, the cutest way to give a piggyback ride is when your girlfriend is least expecting it! When you’re chatting or walking somewhere, simply stop and pick her up—it’s sure to result in lots of giggles!

31

Indulge in some public displays of affection.

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Appropriate PDA shows your girl how proud you are to be with her. Hold her hands in public and look deeply into her eyes. If you’re at a park or public event, sit close together and place your hand on her leg or around her shoulders.^{[26]
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- Give her a spontaneous kiss in public, like when you’re walking side-by-side or you first meet up for drinks after work.

32

Stop her and tuck her hair behind her ears.

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Whether you're chatting, walking together, or just hanging out, randomly stop your girlfriend. When she asks what’s wrong or what you’re doing, gently tuck her hair behind her ears and look into her eyes.

33

Call or text her out of the blue.

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Reach out to your gf to let her know you’re thinking about her. Especially if you two have struggled to connect or make time for each other recently, she’ll love hearing from you when she’s not expecting it.^{[27]
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University of Rochester Medical Center
Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research

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- Patti Novak, professional dating coach and star of A&E’s TV program Confessions of a Matchmaker, recommends a simple text like: “Hey, woke up thinking about you. I hope you're having a great day. Let's touch base over the weekend.”^{[28]
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  Professional Matchmaker & Dating Coach
  
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34

Leave her affectionate voicemails.

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You can still make your girlfriend’s day if she doesn’t pick up a call. Leave her a cute voicemail saying that you’re thinking of her and missing her. You could also try an equally sweet but clever message, such as:^{[29]
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- “Sorry, wrong number, I meant to call my mom and tell her I'm in love.”
- “I had a free moment and wanted to spend it with you, so this message will have to do.”
- “I've been freaking all day with the feeling I forgot something important. Then I realized I forgot to tell you how amazing you are.”

35

Send her “Good Morning” and “Good Night” texts.

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If your girlfriend is usually the one to initiate these texts, it’s your turn! Text her “good morning” and “good night” before she gets the chance to. Include a romantic emoji like a heart (💕) or a kissing face (😘). Taking a few moments to send a text will make her feel loved and cared about.
- Your girlfriend may feel bad if you never text her first, or if you consistently take a long time to text her back.
- Avoid playing games with your girlfriend, especially in the early stages of the relationship, warns dating coach Courtney Quinlan.^{[30]
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- ”Don’t play the, ‘I’m going to text her and then she’ll respond and I’ll wait another two hours to get back to her,’” says Quinlan.^{[31]
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- Texting your girl only takes a second, and it’ll reassure her of how much of a priority she is to you! If you’re truly too busy to text, just let her know directly.

36

Take care of her when she’s sick.

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Bring her soup or hot tea and stay by her bedside for anything she needs. Run to the pharmacy if she needs medicine and make sure she gets plenty of rest.

37

Send her postcards while you’re away.

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Buy a cute postcard at a local souvenir shop and write her a sweet note. Mail it to her to receive while you’re gone so that she knows you’re thinking of her and missing her just as much as she misses you.

38

Write her a love letter.

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A love letter is a direct way to express love to your girlfriend. Write a love letter on a nice piece of paper and reflect on how much you care about her. Write about your favorite memories or what you hope for in your future together.^{[32]
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- As the owner of Modern Love Counseling, Alysha Jeney thinks love letters are one of the best surprises you can give to your girlfriend on her birthday or any other occasion!
- Jeney remarks that writing “an actual handwritten letter that you leave somewhere around the house” is a cute surprise and an opportunity to “explain…how you feel about her.”^{[33]
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  Alysha Jeney, MA, LMFT
  Licensed Relationship Therapist
  
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39

Write 50 things you love about her.

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Tell your girl all the ways you admire and appreciate her. Write a numbered list 1-50 on a piece of paper and start writing all the adorable things she does. If you start to get stuck, think about things that you find attractive about her, the kind things she does for you, funny quirks that she has, or personality traits she possesses that you respect and value.
- Share your list with her or give it to her as a gift, and watch as her face lights up and her eyes start to well up with tears!

40

Write her a love poem.

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Express your love using one of the most time-honored methods. Choose a format, like a sonnet, haiku, acrostic, or free verse poem. Include specific things you love about your girlfriend, and be genuine and honest about your feelings.^{[34]
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- If you’re feeling stuck writing your poem, refer to famous love poems by William Shakespeare or Pablo Neruda.
- You can also go with the classic “Roses are red, violets are blue…” and end with a personal statement about your girlfriend or something funny and unexpected.
- For example, you could write “Roses are red, violets are blue, I hate poetry, but I’m into you.”

41

Give her homemade coupons.

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Your coupon book can include both personal and real coupons! Start by finding coupon codes and buying gift cards from her favorite restaurants, coffee shops, stores, or salons. Add in some personalized coupons to complete your romantic coupon book, like “Good for One Breakfast in Bed” or “Cash In for a 1-Hour Cuddle Sesh.”
- Some websites like Etsy have printable love coupon books that will do some of the work for you!

42

Express your feelings in a local newspaper.

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Go old-school and place an announcement in a newspaper. Reach out to your local paper or other news source and ask to add in an announcement about your girlfriend. It can be as simple as proclaiming your love for her, telling the world how beautiful she is, or celebrating a recent achievement of hers—whether big or small.
- Roll up the newspaper and tie it with a pretty ribbon before gifting it to your girlfriend.

43

Frame pictures for her.

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Framed pictures are a simple but impactful sentimental gift. Find a photo of the two of you together that she loves, or one you took on a recent trip. You may even want to dig up an old photo from when you two first started dating so you can reminisce together.
- Buy a cute frame that your girlfriend will like, and wrap it up for her as a special gift!
- If you can’t decide on just one photo together, make a homemade scrapbook of all your favorite pics!

44

Buy her something she needs.

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Help her out by picking up something on her grocery or shopping list the next time you’re out. This can be as simple as oat milk or AAA batteries, but it’ll show her you care and are paying attention to her needs.

45

Customize a gift for her.

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A personalized gift shows you went the extra mile for your girl. Make her a blanket that features her favorite cartoon character, a coffee mug with lyrics from your song, or a puzzle that reveals a photo of you two together.
- Use websites like Etsy and Shutterfly to easily put together your cute and personalized gift.

46

Make her handmade jewelry.

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Lend a personal touch to a classic jewelry gift. Make homemade jewelry in your girlfriend’s style—start by checking out her current collection and noting whether she prefers gold or silver.
- Visit a craft store for supplies and watch online tutorials to make handmade earrings, necklaces, or bracelets.

47

Make a couple’s journal.

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This sentimental keepsake will mean a lot to your girlfriend. Choose a pretty journal and glue in pictures of your favorite memories together. Write in stories about your relationships or short lists of things you love about your sweetheart.^{[35]
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- Include any other mementos you have of your relationship, like ticket stubs or dried flowers.

48

Gift her an outfit for your next date.

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Couple a surprise date with a cute new outfit. Pick out a dressy outfit in your girlfriend’s style, or something similar to how she normally dresses on a date. Write a formal invitation for an upcoming date night and leave it on your girlfriend’s bed along with the outfit.
- Consult with your girlfriend’s best friend or family members to make sure you choose an outfit that your girlfriend would like!

49

Get matching outfits.

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Wearing matchy outfits with your girlfriend is both cheesy and cute! You could go for matching couples pajamas or matching underwear. Your girlfriend will likely think your gift is funny and sweet, and she’ll love that you were thinking of ways to be closer to her!
- If you have a pet, customize matching shirts or pajamas with a picture of your pet’s face!

50

Gift her new pajamas or lingerie.

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Beautiful new sleepwear or underwear is a sweet and intimate gift. Choose a silky pajama set or matching bra and underwear set from her favorite brand.
- Take into account her favorite colors and what type of underwear and lingerie she typically chooses for herself.
- If you’re close with any of her best female friends, ask them for advice on what kind of lingerie your girlfriend might like.
- Start by reading our guide on picking out lingerie for a girlfriend.

51

Buy gifts for her friends and family.

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In addition to buying presents for your girl, remember to send gifts to her close friends and family members on their birthdays and anniversaries. This thoughtful gesture will show your girlfriend how much you care about her life and being a part of it.

Join the Discussion...

Ideas for romantic gestures

Kimberly Hill
Certified Dating and Relationship Coach

Romantic gestures can take endless forms, but the ones that truly leave a lasting impression are those aligned with how your partner receives love. A great place to start is by exploring their love language by taking the Love Languages quiz together. Let's say your boyfriend or girlfriend's primary love language is quality time, then plan an intentional evening just for the two of you: a cozy movie night at home with no phones, a spontaneous scenic walk on a new trail, or a full day at the beach with their favorite snacks and music.
If they value acts of service, think about the everyday things that might stress or overwhelm them, then quietly take care of those things. Surprise them by detailing their car, filling up their gas tank before a weekend outing, or taking over a chore they’ve been dreading.

The most romantic gestures aren’t always grand, they’re thoughtful, personalized, and done with presence and care.

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No matter the occasion, most girlfriends will always appreciate a small surprise or gesture. According to Alysha Jeney, marriage therapist and co-founder of the Modern Love Box, a little surprise will “just remind her that you care, whether that be random flowers once in a while or just a random note.”^{[36]
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Alysha Jeney, MA, LMFT
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Aside from gifts and gestures, one of the cutest and most important things you can do for your girlfriend is to show her that you respect and value her opinion.

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