National Boyfriend Day: A Time to Spoil Your Man

Hollywood makes us think it’s the boyfriend’s job to make the girl feel special, but National Boyfriend Day, on October 3, is all about flipping the script.

I’ll be honest—I no longer have a boyfriend.

In fact, I’ve been married for 20 years.

I married my high school sweetheart, who I started dating when I was 14.  

That sounds like a fairytale life, right?

Except it’s not; relationships are tough, and there are things I would do differently if I were dating my husband again.

I can honestly say I’m thankful we’ve hit the point in our lives where even the tough times or hurt feelings deserve to be celebrated. (This does not apply to abusive relationships, in which case you should seek help immediately.)

Here is a little about National Boyfriend Day and some ways to make your partner feel special on the “holiday” and every day after.

What is National Boyfriend Day and its History?

National Boyfriend Day is nothing more than a holiday originally created for girlfriends to celebrate boyfriends.

It appears the first reference to the holiday was in 2014, but it’s just gaining traction.

It’s believed the day was created in response to National Girlfriend Day (August 1), which was designed for gal pals to spend time together.

Now, National Girlfriend Day has taken on a double meaning for men to celebrate their girlfriends as well.

I’m not one for a bunch of made-up holidays—even Valentine’s Day gets under my skin, except for those chocolate heart boxes—this one doesn’t bother me much.

Guys get overlooked in life as the world places such an emphasis on women’s empowerment that I can appreciate a fake holiday that offers the celebration of male partners.

If you’re married like me, there’s no harm in using October 3, National Boyfriend Day, to celebrate your boyfriend-turned-husband (don’t let the term boyfriend stop you from showing your special person some love).

There are Many Different Ways to Celebrate National Boyfriend Day

There are so many National Boyfriend Day activities to pick from.

Even if you don’t have a lot of money or time, you can still have the perfect day.

Browse the list below and pick your favorite special date idea to try!

You might come up with your own unique ideas for a date as you focus on showing your boyfriend how much he means to you.

Buy your boyfriend a small treat or gift

Flowers, jewelry, and chocolates are examples of what boyfriends get their girlfriends to show them they care.

I know my man wouldn’t want any of that.

However, he loves it when I surprise him with beef jerky or whip up some homemade blueberry muffins.

Know your boyfriend and his favorite things.

Pay attention to the little things and then surprise him with them later.

Cook his favorite meal and enjoy a nice dinner date

I am not a seafood person—I hate cooking it, smelling it, and even looking at it.

But you know who does like it? My husband.

So occasionally, I muster up the courage (and stick a pin on my nose) to cook him fish or shrimp to show him I care.

He knows how I feel about it, so if I do it—without complaining along the way—he knows I’m putting him first.

Maybe you hate to cook—you could pick up his favorite meal instead, but I still think there is something about the labor of love of cooking the meal that speaks volumes.

Learn what he likes about it because he may be used to it being cooked differently than you’re used to cooking it. 

Take an interest in his life and what interests him

If the two of you constantly do the things you choose, eat dinner at the restaurants you want, switch it up, and let him choose!

Go eat chicken wings, have a beer, and then catch a hockey game.

Years ago, I joined a Fantasy Football League with my husband and his guy friends.

While I enjoyed watching football, I wasn’t a huge fan of the NFL and had never played fantasy football.

Despite having no clue what I was doing, I was determined to take him up on it since he invited me into this part of his world.

We’ve been in a league together most years since then. 

I’m one of what I’m guessing is only a handful of women who have simultaneously taken part in a fantasy football draft while nursing and then winning the championship.

One of my favorite quotes about relationships is from Sheldon Vanauken:

“If one of us likes anything, there must be something to like in it—and the other one must find it—every single thing that either of us likes. That way, we shall create a thousand strands, great and small, that will link us together. Then we shall be so close that it would be impossible—unthinkable—for either of us to suppose that we could ever recreate such closeness with anyone else.”

Just imagine your partnership looking like this.

If there is something your boyfriend loves to do—even if you don’t get it—look for the good in it and enjoy it with him.

Watch his favorite movie (You don’t even need to leave the house)

Of course, my husband and I have similar tastes in lots of areas, but there are some things that I just don’t understand.

Tremors, Rocky, Mission Impossible, and the Halloween movies are some I have seen with him.

However, movies like The Expendables, Rambo, or the Fast and Furious movies are a no.

Those are never movies I would pick, but they’re movies he would love to watch together.

So, for National Boyfriend Day, why not suck it up, make sure you don’t complain, and settle in on the couch.

Read The Five Love Languages

Prepare for National Boyfriend Day by reading The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.

It explores the different ways that people show and feel loved.

The five love languages are:

1. Words of affirmation
2. Quality time
3. Physical touch
4. Acts of service
5. Receiving gifts

You may think you’re showing your boyfriend you love him, but he may not feel it because you’re not “speaking” his love language.

I recommend having your boyfriend take The Love Language Quiz!

Don’t let it stop on National Boyfriend Day

Let’s be honest—this is a silly “official holiday.” 

It would be really easy to forget about this holiday and move on to the next thing on your to-do list. 

But I challenge you not to let that happen in your relationships.

Remember, you guys are lovers, friends, and significant others

Shift your focus from what you’re getting out of the relationship to what you’re contributing to it (this is also a good practice for family and friends). 

Mark the occasion by sharing a creative date idea or how you show your boyfriend, whether your relationship is just beginning or has been going on forever, you love him in the comments below. 

Let us know how you celebrate National Boyfriend Day (or National Girlfriend Day) in the comment section.

Don’t forget to share a sweet message about your boyfriend on social media each year for #NationalBoyfriendDay on October 3.