Doing something sweet for your significant other or a friend or family member can be a wonderful way to show them just how much you care. For some people, acts of service are their ultimate love language. Don't worry if you don't know what to do, though. We have some great acts of service examples to inspire you to show your loved ones just how much they matter to you.
Cook Up Some Comfort Food
Cooking for someone you love is a great way to take care of them (remember your grandma's cookies?). If you know their favorite comfort food, take the time to make it for them. You can also make stand-by favorite foods like chocolate chip cookies or morning pancakes. No matter what you make, they'll love that you took the time to cook for them as an act of service.
Spruce Up Their Car
Another great act of service example is taking care of someone's car for them. We all spend a ton of time in our vehicles, and it can have a major impact when the car is clean and fresh. Spend some time cleaning out their car, detailing it, or running it through the car wash. We guarantee they'll appreciate it.
You can also perform an act of service by gassing up their car. This is extra nice when you know they're busy and don't have time to stop at the gas station or it's cold outside and they hate pumping gas in the winter.
Give Them a Day Off
Anyone who lives a busy life knows how exhausting adulting can be. From getting kids ready for the day to cleaning the house or making dinner, there's just a lot that has to happen to keep life functioning smoothly. It can be an act of service to give someone a day off from all the normal life responsibilities. Step in to help with everything you can for a day, letting them do something else (or even nothing at all) for 24 hours.
Related: Signs Mom Needs a Break (& 9 Ways to Make It Happen)
Help Them De-Stress With a Massage
A massage is an act of service and a comforting physical touch at the same time. Take 15 minutes at the end of the day and help them relax with a shoulder rub or back massage. Don't worry if you don't know lots of techniques. You can just ask them what they like best and work on the areas that feel tense.
Bring Them a Cup of Coffee
When your significant other wakes up, greet them with a cup of coffee. It's a sweet way to start the day with an act of service. You can also do this throughout the day if you both work from home (or stop by their work at lunch with a latte if you're both in the office).
Cover a Little Chore They Hate
We all have some chores we just really hate doing, and it's amazing if someone else just steps in and does those from time to time. Whether it's taking out the trash or scrubbing the bathroom floor, a great act of service example is to cover that hated chore for them every once in a while.
Pamper Them With a Bath
After a long day, a hot bath can be really relaxing and rejuvenating. Draw a bath for your loved one in the evening, complete with candles, their favorite book, and soothing music. We guarantee they'll be surprised and feel so cared for.
Help With Things They Struggle With
If your partner hates making phone calls or needs some help reaching the back of their head when it's time to touch up their roots, step in to help without being asked. The act of service could be help with anything that makes life just a little harder. Showing that you're paying attention to what they need will also make them feel adored.
Don't step in if doing so will make it seem like you don't have confidence in their skills. This means if they're trying to fix something around the house, it's often better to ask if they need help than to simply jump in.
Get Things Ready for Bedtime
At the end of a long day, there are lots of little tasks people have to do. Step in and do a few of these to make bedtime more relaxing. This could mean setting up the coffeemaker for the next day, turning back the bed, setting out their pajamas, or bringing a glass of water to their nightstand. It's all about what makes bedtime easier and more chill for your partner.
Drop Them Off at the Door
If the two of you are driving somewhere, you can show you care by dropping them off at the door while you park the car (bonus points if it's raining or snowing). This is a little act of service they will love.
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Run an Errand for Them
One of the great things about acts of service is using your time to make them feel special or free up some of their time. If there's an errand they need to do, you can do that for them. Think picking up a prescription, returning something to a store, mailing out a package, that kind of thing.
Charge Their Devices
Are they always forgetting to charge their phone or AirPods? You can perform an act of service by simply plugging these things in for them so they'll have plenty of charge when they want to use them next.
Plan a Great Vacation They'll Love
Planning a vacation takes multiple steps and a lot of effort, but you can show your love by doing this for both of you. Think about (and get their input) where they might like to go, and then make all the arrangements to make that happen. They'll love having fun with you on a trip and knowing you set everything up with them in mind.
Use Acts of Service Examples as Inspiration
When it comes to acts of service, examples can help, but it's really about what matters to your loved one. Use these as a starting point, but tailor them to fit your partner or friend's specific needs and wants. The best way to show you care is to really pay attention to what matters to them.
