Romance is a two-way street. While it’s usually on the guy to woo a woman, it’s only fair that women put in some effort too. Fortunately, it’s not all that difficult to win over a guy—you just have to know how to do it.
- Plan a date he’ll love. Most guys feel a fair amount of pressure to plan the perfect date for someone they like. A wonderful gesture would be removing the pressure entirely by being in control of the plans and putting together an evening you know he’ll enjoy. Even if it’s not something you’re particularly into, planning a date doing something that he wants to do can help you win a guy’s heart.
- Cook his favorite foods. Yes, it’s a cliche that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but that’s because it’s true. If you can make a guy’s favorite meal just the way his mom made growing up, he’ll basically start looking for rings. Don’t worry if you’re not a great cook—arranging a dinner by candlelight with his favorite takeout food can work just as well.
- Give him some physical affection. I’m not even talking about sex, but most men crave some kind of physical affection. It could be rubbing his shoulder, running your hands through his hair, or something as simple as holding hands. Guys love any kind of playful touching. It sends a signal that you’re into him and like being around him, making him more likely to develop strong feelings toward you.
- Send him secret notes. Sure, texting is simple and easy, but taking the time to hand write secret notes shows that you’re going the extra mile. When you really like a guy, leave him a little note letting him know how you feel. Seeing it in your handwriting will mean a lot more than just reading it via text message.
- Share a secret. This doesn’t seem all that romantic but telling someone a secret is a great way to move your relationship forward. If you tell a guy a secret, he’ll get the sense that you trust him and you’re comfortable with him. It’s a sign of intimacy that can make him more invested in the relationship. You don’t have to share your deepest, darkest secret, but sharing something with him that you don’t tell everybody will send him a message that you think he’s special.
- Put the phone away. By today’s standards, having a phone-free date counts as being romantic. If you want to create a romantic vibe with a guy you like, you have to put your phone away. In fact, both of you should put your phones away. Giving your undivided attention to each other can only be a good thing. When neither of you is tethered to your phone, you’ll notice that it becomes a lot easier to have a romantic night.
- Be the big spoon. Sure, it’s usually expected for the guy to be the big spoon when cuddling, but that kind of thinking is a little outdated. The truth is that guys enjoy being cuddled sometimes. I mean, what’s not to love about being the little spoon? If you want to win a guy’s heart, show him that you’re not afraid to take over sometimes. It may actually make him enjoy cuddling a little more.
- Bring him breakfast in bed. Yes, we’re back to food. Wouldn’t you be thrilled to have a guy bring you breakfast in bed? Well, it works both ways. You don’t even have to fire up the waffle maker if you don’t want—just bringing him coffee and a bagel can be enough. It seems like a small gesture, but it’s one that most guys will love.
- Throw a stay-at-home dance party. You don’t have to shake your booty at a club to win over a guy. In fact, your chances may be better with a stay-at-home dance party. You can create your own playlist and you two can boogie in the living room without anyone else there. Yes, there may be a noticeable lack of strobe lights and bottle service, but without anyone else there, it’ll be easier for you to focus on one another. Plus, with no one watching, you’ll be free to try out all of your best and worst dance moves. Surprisingly, some guys find bad dancing endearing. You can just be yourself and he’ll have a chance to fall for the real you.
- Just smile. Sometimes, just smiling when you’re around a guy can be enough to win his heart. For the most part, no guy is going to fall for a girl who always has a scowl on her face. I’m not saying you have to force yourself to be in a good mood 24/7, but a guy can be won over with a nice smile. We’re almost always going to fall for a girl who is smiling and cheerful rather than one who is noticeably melancholy. Sometimes a nice smile is enough of a romantic gesture to get a guy to fall for you.