Happy Wife, Happy Life: Celebrate Wife Appreciation Day
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying ‘happy wife, happy life,’ but have you also heard about Wife Appreciation Day? Turns out it’s a real thing. Of course, every couple is unique, and within that, each person has their likes and dislikes.
One of my pet peeves is dirty dishes. My husband knew about this. But in our first few months of marriage, he either ignored it or was completely unaware of my disdain for a full sink. He believed it would be more efficient to load the dishwasher in bulk rather than one item at a time. However, as I continued to express my wish for a clean kitchen, he finally caught on. We now have a beautifully empty sink most days. The dishes aren’t the main issue. My husband put aside his method to show me love and respect.
What do the experts have to say about Wife Appreciation Day?
In a recent study conducted at Rutgers University, researchers analyzed the quality of marital relationships of 394 couples. On average, the couples had been married for 39 years. The results revealed that when a wife is happy with her husband, she tends to do much more for him, which in turn leads him to report greater life satisfaction. In contrast, if the wife is not happy, she is much more likely to be confrontational and display aggressive tendencies. See? Happy wife, happy life.
8 Ways to Celebrate Wife Appreciation Day (or a random Tuesday)
To all of you men out there, how does your wife feel the love? Gifts? Acts of service? Quality time? Adventures? Below, I’ve outlined some great ideas to fit all of these and make your wife feel special:
Breakfast in bed
Start the morning with breakfast in bed. And don’t forget if she prefers pancakes over waffles or vice versa. Such a mistake could get you in trouble (just kidding)!
Show appreciation
Thank her for everything she’s done and remind her how much you love her. Remember, she’s not a mind reader. Verbalizing what you think she already knows can make a significant impact on her day.
Surprise her
Catch her off guard with a romantic gesture. Surprise her at work with a bouquet of her favorite flowers or splurge on that necklace she’s been eying.
Plan date night for Wife Appreciation Day
Take her to the restaurant she’s always wanted to visit, even if you previously thought it was too expensive. The night could be priceless. Alternatively, get creative. Take her to a new place you haven’t tried before. Look up local events and hire a babysitter for the night. Dress up and enjoy kid-free time together at a play or concert.
Spend a night in
Try Datebox for a date night in. They do it all for you. They provide a creative and fun activity, snacks, and a customized playlist. Use code MARRIAGEDOCTOR50 to get half off your first date night in a box shipped right to your door. Perfect for Wife Appreciation Day!
Dessert is always a winner
Reconnect after a busy week over a bowl of her favorite ice cream. Don’t underestimate the power of simply snuggling on the couch as you watch a classic comedy or, even better, a romance flick.
Give her a break
Give her the gift of time to herself. Prepare a bubble bath with candles and her favorite music or book. Prepare dinner, watch the kids, or handle some errands to give her the space she needs to rejuvenate and decompress.
Offer her a massage
Demonstrate your appreciation in a hands-on way. Practice your massage skills with a one-hour at-home treatment. Or if that’s not your thing, buy her a gift certificate for a local spa.
Wife Appreciation Day is an opportunity to go out of your way for the person you love most. Investing in your relationship, even with simple gestures, is never a waste of time. If you’re looking for additional reinforcement to restore, reconnect, and revive your marriage, you may consider therapy or trying the activities in this book I often recommend for couples, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.
