According to Aristotle, humans are social creatures. This means we all crave companionship, appreciation, and to feel loved. The best way to maintain these social relationships is by putting in time and effort for another person. And when it comes to keeping friends, actions definitely speak louder than words.
Think about all those movies that have the main character perform a grand gesture to win back a relationship. It usually works. However, huge displays of affection aren’t universally loved, so it’s best to focus on more of the little things. Keep reading for ideas on how to make small gestures that will mean a lot to the receiver.
1. Unplanned Check-ins
One of the simplest yet most heartwarming gestures is randomly checking in on someone you care about. If you live away from a loved one, chances are you might have planned call times or meet-ups. This is good, but sometimes it’s necessary to go even further. Spontaneity shows that you’re thinking about the other person and that you cherish them.
Go beyond that planned video chat and call them randomly to ask how their day has been. If you don’t have the time but still want to show you care, try sending a text instead. You could even send them a song that made you think of them. If you live close by and you know their schedule, you might even consider dropping by their place. But only do this if you know the other person would be okay with it, of course.
2. Giving Gifts
It’s no wonder that giving or receiving gifts is a love language — there’s something so intimate about giving presents. This is especially true the more the gift plays into the receiver’s interests because it shows you pay attention. The more personalized the present is, the more it will show just how much you listen and care about their interests.
And no, presents don’t have to be reserved only for special occasions like birthdays and holidays. Random gifts are extra special because the reasoning behind them is plain and simple affection. This could be their favorite candy, a book you’d think they’d enjoy, or a home decor item that fits their vibe.
Moreover, gift-giving is especially appreciated when the receiver is going through a tough time. Consider delivering sympathy gifts when an unexpected bump in the road occurs, like a death in the family or illness. These could be care packages that include some of their favorite things to lift their spirits. Soup, chocolates, flowers, cookies — these are just a few popular care package items to note.
3. Perform Acts of Service
Speaking of the five love languages, acts of service is another to try out. Even if this isn’t their top of the five, who wouldn’t appreciate someone going the extra mile for them? This is a very strong way to show your affection for someone. For example, doing mundane, menial tasks feels like a chore, so eliminating that chore for someone else is very thoughtful.
Try your hand at cooking them a meal that you know they’d enjoy. Or, bake them their favorite dessert instead. You could also help them out with housework if you know they’re going through a difficult time or sick. Run some errands for them if they’ve been super busy lately and have felt overwhelmed. These are the moments when performing acts of service are usually extra appreciated.
4. Do Your Best to Listen
You’ve probably seen a TV show or movie where they make fun of how women don’t want men to solve their problems. Rather, they just want their partner to listen and agree that their situation is unfortunate and be a supportive figure. This scenario isn’t exclusive to women, nor is it something that should be made fun of. Being a good listener and offering a shoulder to cry on can go a long way for someone.
Moreover, people tend to want a trusted friend to listen when they need to vent. This doesn’t mean they need someone to come up with a solution for them. Many times, we already have made up our minds for the most part before even asking for advice. And when advice is received, if it doesn’t match your idea, you’re likely to not take it.
Remember this when your loved one is going through a hard time. Don’t be a problem-solver unless they ask you to take on that role. Only give your opinion if they ask for it, or you feel as if an intervention is absolutely necessary. Just listen, take in their problems, and offer a helping hand should they want it. Sometimes all people need is to talk through their frustrations, and that alone can do wonders for the upset mind. So be that moment of relief for your loved one, by allowing them to lift that weight off their shoulders.
Everyone is Different
When it comes to showing you care, remember that everyone is uniquely different. One person might appreciate a specific gesture more than another person does. However, this is another element of showing that you care — by paying attention to what they appreciate. Overall, simply being there and staying attentive to one’s needs can make all the difference in that person’s life.
