When you’re in a relationship, you should show your partner how much you care on a regular basis. Just as you shouldn’t wait until Valentine’s Day to amp up the romance, you also shouldn’t hold out for National Boyfriend Day to give your guy a little extra love and affection. If you’ve never heard of this holiday but want to be prepared the next time it rolls on, read on to find out more.
What is National Boyfriend Day?
National Boyfriend Day provides people in relationships an opportunity to celebrate their male partners. Like other days of recognition, it’s an occasion on which you can show the man in your life how much you love him and lavish him with attention, affection, and even a gift. After all, it’s not every day you come across a guy who’s thoughtful, caring, funny, intelligent, and super hot, right?
The first mention of the “holiday” online dates back to October 2014, but it was two years later, in 2016, that it really seemed to take off on Twitter. In March of that year, the term had nearly 50,000 tweets. Since then, those in relationships with men and those who identify as male have taken the opportunity to spotlight their partner on this special day every year.
When is National Boyfriend Day celebrated?
National Boyfriend Day is celebrated on the same day every year: October 3. This has never changed and likely never will, so mark your calendar! (And don’t worry — National Girlfriend Day means we get celebrated every August 1, per National Today).
What should you do for the holiday?
- Tell him how much he means to you. To be fair, you should be doing this more often than once a year. However, if you haven’t voiced your love for him lately, now’s the time. Tell your boyfriend how special he is to you and how lucky you feel to have him. We don’t realize it, but men like being complimented, assured, and told they’re loved just like we do.
- Cook him his favorite meal or take him to his favorite restaurant. It’s a bit cliche to say that the way to a man’s heart is through stomach. Oh well, because it’s true! For National Boyfriend Day, get your apron on and get in the kitchen to make his favorite dish. If it’s something complicated and you’re a competent and confident cook, go for it. Hell, go for it even if you’re not confident! (If you can read, you can follow a recipe.) He’ll be touched you took the time and his stomach will thank you. On the other hand, if you literally burn everything you put on the stove, maybe make reservations at his favorite restaurant.
- Plan a special date you know he’ll love. What’s something he’s always game to do but you don’t get to very often? Maybe he loves going bowling and hitting the arcade. Perhaps his passion is going to baseball games so he can buy a hot dog and drink beer. Whatever it is that you know he enjoys, make it happen. It’s his special day, after all.
You could also…
- Give him a massage. They’re relaxing, sensual, and if he’s tense or stressed, it can loosen his muscles. Grab some body oil, throw a towel on the bed, and get massaging. It’d be nice if he returned the favor, of course, but this day is all about him. Light a candle, put on some chill tunes, and melt his worries away.
- Buy him something you know he wants as a gift. It could be something as simple as a new video game or a pair of sneakers he saw but was too cheap to buy himself. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive or extravagant. Just a little token of your love and affection will go over well. He’ll feel loved and appreciated and will be happy with the surprise.
- Plan a romantic evening at home (wink wink). You know exactly what we mean here. If he’s always the one to initate sex and romance, this is your turn to take control. He doesn’t have to lift a finger or put in any effort. You’re there to blow his mind in the best way possible. Now that’s a holiday he won’t soon forget.
- Bring him coffee and a bagel in bed. Who doesn’t like breakfast in bed? After your night of passion, he’ll likely be exhausted and not in a hurry to jump out of bed in the morning. That’s no problem! For National Boyfriend Day, you can treat him by running down to the deli for coffee and a bagel to bring back.
- Offer to do something he likes doing that you hate. Hate watching “the game” on TV? Begrudge working out at the gym together? Whatever it is that he’s super into that either doesn’t interest you or you really don’t like, do it anyway. His special day comes once a year. While you should be a little nicer to him every day, this is definitely time to go the extra mile.
