Top 30 ways Brits express their love in relationships - like cooking dinner
The top 30 ways Brits show their love for their partner have been revealed ahead of Valentine's Day – with cooking dinner for them, and complimenting how they look, topping the list.
Celebrating their small achievements, holding their hand in public, and telling them you miss them, are also among the ways those in a romantic relationship demonstrate their affection for their other half.
And one in five (19%) have planned a spontaneous date night, while 24% will leave their partner the last snack to show that they care.
Meanwhile, with Valentine's Day fast approaching, almost three-quarters (73%), of the 2,000 adults polled, claim that they find a love note or card to be a romantic gesture.
And in the last six months, over half (52%) have given their loved one a handwritten letter, while one in three have shared a video message with them.
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When it comes to the most common romantic phrases exchanged in a relationship, a simple “I love you” topped the list – followed by “you mean the world to me”, and “I can't imagine life without you”.
The research was commissioned by Hallmark, to determine the top ways that couples express their love on Valentine's Day.
Cooking dinner for their partner is the top way Brits express love (SWNS)Exactly a fifth of adults have sent flowers to spread love and positivity, and a handful (3%) have even had a matching tattoo with someone they care about.
Others exhibit fondness by completing DIY tasks around the house (16%) – with 44% considering such gestures to be “romantic”.
Emma Bragg, writing director from Hallmark, said: “There are plenty of ways we can show we care about someone, and make them feel special. In this modern, digital world, the time it takes to send a handwritten note or card can make the recipient feel loved and appreciated.
“From traditional things such as writing a love letter, to practical things like making the bed and mending something around the house, the research shows Brits have done it all.
“But whoever you love, and however you love, the most important thing is to make sure the people you love know it.”
The research went on to investigate the UK’s top “love language” – a term used to describe the ways in which romantic partners express and experience love.
Physical touch was the most common love language (34%), which entails expressing love through gestures like hugs and kisses. This was closely followed by quality time (22%), which involves connecting emotionally by spending meaningful time together.
Dating coach, Hayley Quinn, has shared her top tips to show your partner you care (Hallmark)However, only 14% have been asked about their love language – and, of those, 57% noticed a difference in the way the other person showed them love.
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It comes as 45% consider themselves the romantic type – however, 29% struggle to express their feelings. But 53% find it easier to do this if they know the other person’s love language, according to the OnePoll stats.
Dating expert, Hayley Quinn, who has teamed up with Hallmark, said: “It’s important to see how your love language aligns with your partner’s, because a lot of the time they will value different things to you.
“If you communicate your love differently to your partner, it can be hard for the other person to understand how much you appreciate them. So, whilst you made the bed in the morning to show how much you care, they may connect more with a handwritten note.
“Simply asking how someone likes to give and receive affection in a relationship can go a long way to tighten an already strong bond. It will also help you to recognise all the small, and sometimes mundane, ways your partner shows their love for you.
“Your partner’s Valentine’s Day gesture may not be like something out of a rom-com – and we shouldn’t expect it to be – but if you understand their love language, you’ll know how much they care.”
TOP 10 WAYS TO SHOW YOU CARE, ACCORDING TO HAYLEY QUINN:
- Cuddle them. Rather than focusing on physical intimacy, a morning cuddle in bed, or even a group hug with your children, will allow everyone to feel the love.
- Write them a card. Take the time to write an extended, thoughtful message to your loved one, or buy one with a message that expresses how you feel. Or, if words aren’t your thing, draw an illustration or a funny cartoon inside to show you care.
- Say “I love you”. If you’ve been focusing your energy on DIY tasks, and your partner isn’t feeling the love, opt for verbal communication instead.
- Make a surprise reservation. Relish your role as the planner in the relationship, and book a fun date night.
- Share a video diary of your day. This “behind-the-scenes” look into your life is emotionally intimate, and brilliant if you’re doing a long-distance relationship.
- Spend time together – as a group. It’s okay to swap out the occasional date night for time spent with their family. For lots of people, inviting you into their inner circle is how they will show they care.
- Send them a song that made you think of them. Share a song that reminds you of them, and let the lyrics do the talking.
- Cook their favourite meal. Romance doesn’t have to mean fine dining – taking the time to cook your loved one their favourite meal shows effort and thoughtfulness.
- Turn off your phones together for the day. Leave your phones at home, and spend some distraction-free time together.
- Send a picture of one of your early dates. Send a photo to your partner of the early days to remind them of your courtship, and show that even now you still feel the same.
TOP 30 WAYS BRITS EXPRESS LOVE:
- Cooking dinner for them
- Making food you know they'll like
- Complimenting how they look
- Celebrating their small achievements
- Telling them you miss them
- Putting them first in situations
- Holding their hand in public
- Completing tasks without being asked
- Doing the washing-up
- Helping them bring in the shopping
- Leaving them the last snack
- Offering to drive them places
- Taking out the bins
- Sending good morning texts
- Buying them small, silly things that remind you of them, when you are out and about
- Making the bed
- Writing letters or cards
- Sending flowers
- Planning spontaneous date nights/days out
- Trying really hard with their family
- Taking the time to get to know their friends
- Letting them decide what to watch on Netflix
- Completing DIY tasks for them
- Sticking up for them, even if they're in the wrong
- Giving them massages
- Getting rid of spider and bugs
- Pampering them after a long day at work
- Fixing appliances
- Sending video messages
- Paying for their beauty maintenance (e.g. nails, haircut, etc.)
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