40 Romantic Ideas to Say ‘I Love You’—How to Be Romantic
Updated: Jan. 19, 2023When we think about how to be romantic, we often think about expensive grand gestures. But these romantic ideas, big and small, are perfect if you're looking for something to show your significant other how much you care about them.
How to be romantic
Saying “I love you” to your partner can mean a lot, but sometimes a small (or big) gesture can really show them how appreciative you are of them. Try these creative romantic ideas to show some love and keep the spark alive.
Romantic idea #1: Stop to appreciate them
Take a few minutes to stop and unwind together when you and your partner get home from work. Most people tend to go right into their routine of making dinner or getting chores done around the house. Stopping to give them a hug and kiss and ask how their day was will really mean a lot.
Romantic idea #2: Leave a note
If you get up earlier in the morning than your partner, leave a romantic note on the mirror in the bathroom. It will be sure to brighten their day.
Romantic idea #3: Put the phones away
Phones are a constant distraction. One of the simplest romantic ideas you can do is just put them away for a day or even a night. Focus on each other instead of your screen. These are the best romance novels of all time.
Romantic idea #5: Wakeup call
Get up a little earlier than you normally do and make a warm cup of coffee and bring it to your partner while they’re still in bed.
Romantic idea #6: Bring home flowers
Grab a bouquet of flowers while you’re picking up the groceries after work. Leave them the counter with a sweet note for your partner to find. People reveal the sweetest thing their partner has ever said to them. Take notes.
Romantic idea #8: Date night
Get dressed up and splurge on a fancy date night at your favorite restaurant. It will feel nice to get out of your work clothes and feel like you’re on a first date again with your significant other.
Romantic idea #9: Help with errands
Incorporating romantic ideas into your schedule each week is an important part of having a strong relationship. If you know that your partner has a lot of errands to run and no time to do them, do it for them. Or, offer to go along with them so they have someone to keep them company. These are the most outrageous marriage proposals you have to read to believe.
Romantic idea #11: Walk down memory lane
Gather all of the old photos the two of you have together and create a scrapbook. Include other mementos you’ve been collecting, like plane tickets. Read this story of how this veteran found his long-lost love after 75 years.
Romantic idea #12: Hit the vineyards
Set up a wine tasting at your favorite vineyard. Pack a blanket and some food and enjoy a nice picnic while you’re there as well. Read these stories revealing how real couples knew they found “the one.”
Romantic idea #14: Start a new tv series
There’s nothing better than spending a Saturday on the couch. Pick a new series that you both have been wanting to watch and binge watch it all day.
Romantic idea #15: Volunteer
Volunteering is a great couple bonding experience. Ask to help out at your local animal shelter or pick up trash along the side of the road in your neighborhood. Find out the sweetest things these people have said to their partners.
Romantic idea #16: Send a love letter
No one gets mail anymore, so it’s a nice surprise when you receive something addressed to you in the mail. Find a meaningful card at the store, or even make one yourself, and send it to your significant other. If you live together, send it to their work. Or, share one of these unforgettable love poems.
Romantic idea #17: Snap some photos
Spend a day outside taking pictures together. It will be a good memory to look back on. These summer love stories will make you swoon.
Romantic idea #18: Go to the movies
Treat yourself to a movie in the theaters. Pack your favorite snacks so you don’t have to pay for the overpriced snacks there.
Romantic idea #19: Be a tourist
Be a tourist in your own town or one nearby. Go window shopping and visit a restaurant or café that you’ve been meaning to go to for a while. These stories of first love will touch your heart.
Romantic idea #20: Game night
Break out an old board or card game and show your partner your competitive side. To make things exciting, say that the loser has to make dinner.
Romantic idea #21: Pretend you’re in Paris
Pop open a bottle of wine and make a plate of cheese and crackers one evening. Simply enjoy each other’s company and talk about all the places you hope to travel together someday. These real couples reveal how they found “the one.”
Romantic idea #22: Spend your lunch hour together
If your offices are close enough together, meet in the middle and get lunch together. Spending a little bit of time with your significant for lunch is a good way to break up the workday. For dinner, check out the most romantic restaurants in every state.
Romantic idea #23: Head outdoors
Pick a weekend where the weather is going to be nice and go hiking or camping. Some of the best romantic ideas involve being active and getting fresh air with your partner.
Romantic idea #24: Go dancing
Surprise your partner and take them out for a night of dancing. Even if you end up not being very good at it, you’ll share a lot of laughs.
Romantic idea #25: Cook together
Help each other make dinner one night. Or, if you’re really horrible at cooking, promise to do all the cleanup after dinner. These 24 summer love stories will make you swoon.
Romantic idea #26: Take a mental health day
“Call in sick” to work and spend the day together just relaxing and catching up.
Romantic idea #27: Go back in time
Take your partner to the spot you had your first date or where you first met and reminisce about how far your relationship has come. These 36 questions can make you fall in love with anyone.
Romantic idea #29: Say “I love you”
Tell your partner that you love them first thing when you wake up in the morning.
Romantic idea #30: Clean their car
Take your partner’s car to get a wash and vacuum while they are busy doing something else. It will show how much you appreciate them. If you’re feeling extra nice, fill up the gas tank too. Try this weekly routine if you need to save your relationship; it’s scientifically proven to work.
Romantic idea #32: Give a massage
If you know that your partner has had a stressful week, offer to give them a massage. They will be forever grateful.
Romantic idea #33: Romantic movie night
Pick out two or three of your favorite romantic movies and watch them together while you snuggle on the couch and eat popcorn. Check out the surprising secrets of the most happily married couples.
Romantic idea #35: Learn something new together
Come up with something you both want to learn, it could be a new language or a new recipe. Work at perfecting it together.
Romantic idea #38: Have breakfast in bed (or dinner!)
Pretend you ordered room service and eat your breakfast (or dinner) together in bed. Just make sure the meal isn’t messy. This is one of the best romantic anniversary ideas. Who wouldn’t want breakfast brought to them in bed on a special day?
Romantic idea #39: Pull an all-nighter
Remember when you first started dating and you would stay up all night talking and learning new things about each other? Do that again, who knows what you’ll learn this time. Don’t miss these quotes that perfectly capture what it’s like to fall in love.
Romantic idea #40: Make a bucket list
Create a bucket list with your partner that includes all of the things you want to do together before you get too old. Next, check out these love and marriage cartoons that are hilariously accurate.
