Saying that you appreciate someone is always nice, but showing them how you feel can be much more powerful than any words you can say.
Think back to the last time you actually did something that made someone feel appreciated. Now think about the last time that you said that you appreciated someone. My guess is that both of those were so long ago that you can’t actually remember the time or the person.
Too many of us go through life not showing those we care about that we appreciate the things that they do for us on a regular basis. Sure, we might think, “Wow, I appreciate that he did that,” but we hardly ever make a point to say it, much less actually do something in return.
Actions speak louder than words
Just as the old saying goes, actions make a much bigger impact on a person than just muttering a few words that could actually mean nothing. What you should be doing is actually using your actions to say that you appreciate what they did.
This can seem like a difficult thing to do, but in all actuality, it’s pretty simple. There are different things you can do to tell someone you appreciate them without having to utter a single phrase. If you’re having trouble trying to come up with your own way to show them, here are 25 ways to say, “I appreciate you” without using words.
#1 Make them their favorite home-cooked meal. Not much says you appreciate someone more than making them their favorite home-cooked meal. Not only does it show that you remember that they love it, but the fact that you went through the effort to make it yourself can mean so much. [Read: The most romantic songs to play during a dinner date]
#2 Flowers. Even if you want to show a man that you appreciate him, flowers are a great way to do so. They’re beautiful and they always put a smile on someone’s face.
#3 Surprise them with tickets to their favorite show. They’ll be sure to feel appreciated when you come home from work and hand them tickets to see their favorite band. This is a rather obvious gesture that shows that you appreciate them, and they’ll likely get it right away. [Read: The 25 sweetest romantic gestures for everyday life]
#4 Plan a picnic. Picnics aren’t hard to put together, but they do require planning, effort, and a meal prepared by you. You’ll make them feel important and special by planning such a nice day with them.
#5 Start the shower for them in the morning. If you live with your significant other or are staying there, nothing says “I appreciate you” more than starting the shower for them in the morning. It’s not a huge gesture of your appreciation, but it definitely says it.
#6 Bring them coffee without having to be asked. If you know your partner likes coffee in the morning, get up a few minutes early, start a fresh pot, and bring them some to bed before they wake up so it’s piping hot and ready to go for them.
#7 Make them something with your hands. Anything homemade speaks way louder than words regarding your appreciation for a person. So knit them something, make them a chair if you’re a handyman, or even just making a cute origami flower is enough. [Read: How to write a heartfelt love letter like a true romantic]
#8 Wear their favorite cologne/perfume on you. I personally feel so special when my boyfriend wears this certain cologne that I ALWAYS tell him smells amazing. He knows it’s my favorite, so he wears it around me, and that just makes me feel so important.
#9 Dress up in an outfit you know they love on you. Just as the perfume/cologne works, so does wearing a certain color or shirt that you know they like on you. [Read: How to look sexy without trying to look sexy]
#10 Take care of all their chores for them. This is especially powerful on a day when you know they’re busy. Take the initiative to get all their chores done – do the dishes, vacuum the apartment, even do their laundry.
#11 Scrape the snow off their windshield in the morning. This one is HUGE! It might not seem like a big deal, but to those who despise the winter like it’s the black plague, it means a lot.
#12 Start their car for them in the morning when it’s cold. Those of us who hate the cold want our cars to be warm, but who wants to go out into the cold to start them before work? So if you do that for us, we absolutely feel how much you appreciate us. [Read: 8 romantic gestures from the olden days all girls miss]
#13 Send a hot lunch to their work. Having the same cold lunch every day at the office is boring. Send them a hot lunch to their work from their favorite restaurant. Not only will they be surprised, but they’ll feel really appreciated, too.
#14 Tell them to pick a date night and say it’s all on you. Have them plan the evening and tell them that whatever they want to do is 100% on you! They’ll get everything they want and feel so happy that you wanted to provide it for them.
#15 Pamper them for no reason. Set up a makeshift spa day in your home for them after a tough week at work. Get some scented oils and get ready to slather them up and give them the best nonprofessional massage they’ll ever have. [Read: How to give a sensual massage and work your magic]
#16 Pick their favorite movie for a date night when it’s your turn. Even if it’s up to you to decide the movie that night, choose their favorite and watch their face light up.
#17 Buy them that one thing they can’t stop talking about. I once had a boyfriend who wouldn’t SHUT UP about this game he really wanted. So I bought it for him, and I can’t even explain to you how much he appreciated that small gesture.
#18 Clean up after dinner when they’ve made it. This is not only polite, but it also makes them feel appreciated for having cooked you a meal.
#19 Actually pay attention when they’re talking about their day. Asking about someone’s day can get routine, and you can oftentimes tune it out. Pay attention to them when they talk about that annoying coworker. It’ll make their day. [Read: 10 ways to be a better listener in your relationship]
#20 Remember the important days. Their birthday, your anniversary, their big day for a presentation at work that could potentially lead to a promotion… you get the idea. Any days that are important for them should be on your calendar so you can acknowledge them when the time comes.
#21 Send a gift basket of all their favorite munchies to work. Work is just plain old boring sometimes, so receiving a gift basket from you with all their favorite work munchies will make them feel so appreciated.
#22 When they tell you to grab a case of beer, pick their favorite. You may get a call one night to grab some beer or wine or something from the store. Instead of getting something they’ll expect you to pick up, surprise them with their favorite.
#23 Let them have the window seat on the plane. If ever you’re traveling on a plane, let them have the window seat so they can see all of the wonders of the world from that high. And hey, even if you’re not planning a trip anytime soon, letting them have the window seat a restaurant can be just as nice, too. [Read: The 20 kinds of lovers that exist in the world]
#22 Hold the umbrella for them in the rain. This one goes without saying, but holding the umbrella for them in the rain will make them feel so special and appreciated.
#23 Throw their coat in the dryer for 10 minutes before they head out into the cold. This not only fluffs it up and makes it nice and puffy and fresh-looking, but it also keeps them warm while they face the frozen tundra that winter brings.
#24 Ignore their faults. People mess up. They’re not perfect. Ignoring when they do bad things and forgiving them will show them just how much you appreciate them. [Read: Should you forgive and forget? 15 guidelines to follow]
#25 Be a part of their hobbies. Especially the ones you don’t like. Even if you hate tennis, go and watch when they have a match. It shows your appreciation so much when you dislike something but still want to be there for them anyways. [Read: How to better a relationship and improve your love life]
Saying you appreciate someone is easy. Showing that you appreciate them is harder, but also way more effective and powerful. These are some of the best ways you can have your actions speak louder than words and say, “I appreciate you,” without using any words at all.
