10 Ways to Celebrate Wife Appreciation Day

bride wearing a red lengha and groom wear navy blue attire staring into each other's eyes for their wedding portrait — Photo by Ivy Weddings

While every day should be Wife Appreciation Day (also known as National Wife Day), having a specific date marked on the calendar gives you a great excuse to plan something thoughtful for your partner. Celebrated annually on the third Sunday in September, this holiday allows you to set aside additional time to express your love and gratitude for your wife. Yes, we know there’s her birthday, your anniversary, and other dates in between that call for celebration, but you can never say "I love you" too many times, especially when it comes to your better half.

Thus, we thought it might be helpful to put together a mini guide on how to honor this memorable holiday. Following the advice of a few wedding and event planning pros, in addition to a relationship and dating expert, read on for several Wife Appreciation Day gift and date ideas your spouse will absolutely love.

What Is Wife Appreciation Day?

01 of 10

Coordinate a Day of Relaxation

Who doesn’t love a day of relaxation? "Pampering can mean anything from enjoying a manicure to a spa day, or even just some much needed alone time to relax and unwind with a favorite show or book," shares Sunna Yassin, owner of Bash Please. "Schedules these days are so hectic, it seems that all women are just craving time to do something they enjoy."

02 of 10

Write 52 Things You Love About Your Partner

All you need for this gift is a deck of cards. Yes, really! On each playing card, write something you love or appreciate about your wife. These can range from physical compliments to more sentimental remarks. The best part about this gift is that whenever your wife wants to, she can flip through the cards and be reminded of all the reasons you love and appreciate her.

a couple dressed in blush pink (suit and wedding dress) on their wedding day standing amongst a backdrop of green, lush mountaintops — Photo by Le Vie Photography

03 of 10

Plan Her Favorite Activity and Do It Together

Is there something your wife tries to get you to join in on but you always say no? Wife Appreciation Day could be the day you change your tune! No matter how big or small, she’ll be so thrilled that you’ve finally volunteered to partake in her favorite activity. "The activity can also help you deepen your emotional connection and bond further on," shares Dr. Callisto Adams, Ph.D., a dating and relationship expert.

04 of 10

Plan a Day for Her and Her Friends

Sometimes what your wife really needs is a day with her friends. "The best gift of appreciation is alleviation. Winning spouses know how to coordinate and employ a wife's best friend," notes Rebecca Gardner, owner and creative director of Rebecca Gardner Houses and Parties. "[Spouses can] plan (and pay for) her day out with girlfriends while they stay home to complete the overdue honey-dos. Think of a grown-up bachelorette party, but everyone's in bed by nine.”

05 of 10

Cook Her Favorite Meal

If going out isn't an option because of your busy schedule or if you have kids, create a special night at home. Cook her favorite meal, pick up her favorite bottle of wine, play some music, and light some candles for a romantic night in. Be sure to also silence your phone in order to block all outside distractions. Want to go the extra mile? "Cook her favorite meals for the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert(s)," Dr. Adams recommends.

wife sitting on husband's lap who's in a wheelchair — Photo by Mallory Dawn

06 of 10

Buy Her a Gift She Really Wants

Is there something that your wife has been talking about a lot lately? Is it a new pair of shoes or new Airpods? What about tickets to a concert? Whatever it is, beat her to the punch and buy it for Wife Appreciation Day. "A gift is yet another beautiful way of saying ‘thank you’ or simply showing your gratitude for having a person in your life," shares Dr. Adams. Not only will she be happy to finally have the item or experience she’s been looking into, but she’ll also be thrilled to know you’ve been paying close attention to her needs.

07 of 10

Give Her a Break from Day-to-Day Routines

Nothing will make your wife happier than giving her the day off—from everything. "This means no chores, no errands, no schedule," suggests Yassin. "The best part is, monetarily, the gift itself is free. We have found that [wives] want nothing more than to have a free day of obligations and duties, and would love to spend the day relaxing doing something they enjoy—even if that is just sleeping!"

08 of 10

Present Your Wife With an Award

It may seem juvenile, but giving your wife an award is a creative and fun way to let her know you really appreciate everything she does. "Every significant other loves to be recognized by their spouse," shares Alicia Mae, founder and lead planner of Ile Events. "Get dressed in your finest tuxedo or gown, and have your spouse’s attire ready for them when they arrive too. Present [them] with two to three awards (you can get custom awards made at Tiffany & Co or Things Remembered) highlighting those things they excel in and what you really love about them. To complete the night, have a private chef prepare dinner. Don’t forget the champagne and have a romantic night with each other."

husband and wife posing on their blue floral ombre aisle — Photo by Bo Shim

09 of 10

Recreate Your First Date

Remember when you used to get butterflies before date night with your wife (or maybe you still do)? Why not recreate that very first date as an homage to how far you’ve come in your relationship? It doesn’t matter if you no longer live in the town where you had your first date or if the location doesn’t exist anymore, your goal is just to recreate a few of the activities you previously did together. If you have any photos from the date or from your first few months of dating, be sure to print those out as a fun way to reminisce on your relationship. Not only will this be a fun night out, but it will also be a fun walk down memory lane.

10 of 10

Plan a Surprise Trip

If you and your wife have been itching to take a trip, Wife Appreciate Day is the perfect time to present her with a perfectly curated travel itinerary. This can either be a day trip or an adventure that lasts a week. "Let her know she needs to take [time] off from work because you have a surprise for her. This will build excitement already," notes Dr. Adams. "This will capture your care and appreciation for her, but it’ll also draw you closer to one another due to the novelty of the activity."

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