The theory goes that men aren't supposed to like romance. But more and more of them are coming out of their shell to admit that, yes, they want to be wooed from time to time, too. It doesn't have to be big — it just needs to be personal. "The type and nature of the gesture is more important than the size," says Jess Carbino, a sociologist for Tinder. "If it's somehow related to something that they value, that's more impactful."
These 17 things will certainly make him look at you with cheesy heart-eyes — and then maybe consider these strategies to pretty much guarantee you'll get laid tonight.
1. Changing your outfit.
No, don't put on a nice dress because that's what your man deserves. (We're not stuck in 1953!) But if there's one thing to keep in mind about men, it's that they're visually oriented specimens, says psychologist Ronald Goldstein, PhD, a marriage counselor in Newtown, Pennsylvania. That's why dressing for his tastes — rather than just your own — every once in a while can have a big effect.
When he comments on how great that flannel button-down looks on you, tuck the idea away so you can pair it with skinny jeans and boots for your next date. Or "take him [on a short] shopping [trip] and have him choose outfits he would like to see you in, or some lingerie he finds sexy," suggests Barbara De Angelis, PhD, author of Secrets About Men Every Woman Should Know. It's not likely they'll be interested in shopping for long, but the fact that he gets to choose something for you could keep him engaged for longer than you might think.
2. Getting handsy.
This isn't about sex or a massage (though there's nothing wrong with cashing in on both of those), but simply touching and showing physical affection in your day-to-day activities. Holding hands when you walk down the street or playing footsie on the couch are reassuring actions and can remind him that you love and appreciate his body, says De Angelis. And if you decide to explore elsewhere, it can give you time to become more aroused and really get to know every part of him, adds De Angelis.
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3. Sending him out with the guys.
A guy's time with his friends is just as important as your girls' nights out, and acknowledging that makes you look like an independent, confident, insanely sexy woman. So if he's waffling on whether he should really go catch that game with the guys, encourage him to make like Nike and just do it already. And if it means you have a night to soak in the tub and stream one of the 30 best romantic comedies of all time, well, consider that a bonus.
4. Sneaking in a flirty note.
"Sometimes a man likes to hear that he's loved and missed," says Goldstein. "Corny as it sounds, if the woman puts a note in his briefcase or sends a text just to say how much she's looking forward to having sex that night, it can really make a guy's day." Easy enough, no?
5. Complimenting him.
Just like you need reassurance every once in a while, so does he. So next time you're noticing how sexy his forearms look while he's slicing up veggies, tell him. And when you breathe a huge sigh of relief because he says he'll take care of bath time tonight, thank him. Sure, they're just words — but to him that can be solid gold when he's been having a rough day.
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6. Framing a picture.
"In this mostly-digital age, printing photos is becoming less and less common," says Carbino. "By taking a few extra minutes to print that cute snap from last weekend's date night, you're showing how much that memory means to you" — and it just might encourage both of you to make more. Plus, there's just something nice about looking at a framed photo these days, don't you think?
7. Giving him the night off.
Does he usually cook dinner during the week? Tell him you're ordering out. Is he stressed about an upcoming work presentation? Bring the guy a chilled beer. Little gestures like that can feel like the royal treatment, yet they don't take much effort on your part. Win-win!
8. Switching up sex.
If you're in the habit of having sex with the lights out, keep them on. Do it in a different room (or a different place altogether). Watch porn together. Whatever your usual routine is, break it. Novelty can immediately infuse romance back into a relationship, and if he has some say-so about it, then he feels like his voice is being heard, says Goldstein. The easiest way to make sure he knows you're listening: Talk about his sexual fantasies, suggests Goldstein. As long as they don't make you uncomfortable, it might be fun to make one or two come to life.
9. Having an experience.
What would you rather receive from your guy: a weekend at the spa or a new set of pots? Experiential gifts tend to have more meaning behind them, and they're more sought-after: A survey from the National Retail Federation shows that 50 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds say they would like to receive a gift that actually has you out doing something. Why? They help you create memories, plain and simple. So when you're thinking about gifts, try thinking of something the two of you can enjoy together, like exploring a new-to-you city or watching a football team you both love. Whether it's out of the blue or totally expected, at the end of the day, he'll just be stoked to get out of the house with you.
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10. Telling him a secret.
Women aren't the only ones who want to feel like they're not wasting their time in a relationship. Feeling connected with you in a way that he isn't with anyone else is important to guys, says De Angelis, so confess something nobody else knows. It shows a deeper level of trust in both him and your relationship, she adds, because you're making yourself vulnerable. And if you want it to go both ways, make it a pseudo-game: For every secret you tell, he confesses one, too.
11. Getting him to laugh with you.
Chances are you know what makes your man laugh. You wouldn't live a life devoid of laughter and humor, right? But even if you're not a master comedian or a jokester, get this: A study from the University of Kansas revealed that a good way to gauge your romance levels is to laugh together. The study also revealed that the more times a guy makes a woman laugh, the more she's into him — which, in turn, leads to romance. It makes sense: laughter is important! So maybe catch an improv or comedy show, or even just fire up Netflix to watch a new comedian's special.
12. Learning about something that interests him.
Does your partner dig computer science? Is he really into old noir movies? Is he obsessed with the history of Idaho for some reason? Do a little digging and learn about something he's super passionate about. He'll appreciate that you're taking an interest in a topic that's important to him, and it can certainly fuel conversations. Plus, it might motivate him to learn about one of your quirky interests, too.
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13. Dancing with you.
You don't have to spring for lessons — just put on some of his favorite music and ask him to dance. It'll bring you physically and emotionally closer. And, when you're literally in step, you'll feel more connected to one another, according to a 2015 study.
14. Reminding him how glad you are that he's your best friend.
How long has it been since you told him how grateful you are for all he does? Write him a note to express just how much his support means. You'll strengthen your relationship in the long-run, too, according to a 2011 study. Friends or partners who regularly express their gratitude are more comfortable talking openly with one another about relationship concerns.
15. Binge-watching something.
Don't feel guilty about all that time you spent getting caught up on Game of Thrones last weekend. Watching a show together is a good excuse to cuddle and it'll strengthen your bond — science says so. According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, "fictional social worlds" — like the one dreamed up by your favorite showrunner — "can also bring relationship partners closer together," the authors write. The benefits were especially pronounced for couples who don't have many mutual friends: "[S]haring media may help maintain a sense of sharing a social world with partners, which can particularly benefit relationships that lack an integrated social network," the study says.
16. Having deep, meaningful conversations.
Sometimes, it's easy to get caught up in day-to-day conversation-starters, like "how was work?" and "what's your schedule like tomorrow?" Instead of the surface-level stuff, focus on opening up more during the time you have together for real, meaningful conversations that will add value (and even more love!) into your lives — even if it's sometimes a little awkward. "We have to talk about stuff that we’ve never talked about, that we don’t know how to talk about, that we don’t have the vocabulary to talk about, and most of the time have never said it to ourselves," said psychotherapist and relationship expert Esther Perel during her panel at SXSW.
17. Having a phone-free night.
Does anything say I love you like being off your phone for a night? Instead of having your texts and notifications lighting up during your hang-out time, leave your cell on the charger and enjoy being in each other's presence. A 2016 study published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture found 64 percent of couples experienced "technoference" — aka "intrusions and disruptions due to technology" — that affected their overall happiness. So that time away from technology makes for some serious bonding — and your nightly Instagram scrolling sesh can wait.
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