I had been putting off working on some home repair projects that were in dire need of being finished. The main reason I was putting them off is that I find that if I stop doing my daily household work (i.e., cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.) no other family member is going to do it for me and so, I end up doing twice as much work.

When my husband finally questioned why I wasn’t finishing any of the bigger projects, such as painting the family room walls, I responded that I just wasn’t up to taking on the extra work knowing that I would have to stop in the middle to fix dinner, or do the laundry, or take care of the dog.

It took some convincing, but I do believe he finally understood what I was talking about. He promised to help as long as I did the painting while he wasn’t occupied with work or something else and I agreed. Coordination and cooperation between spouses, that’s the key.

So, this past Sunday, after asking my husband what his plans were for the day, I tackled my painting job. While I was doing that, he cleaned the swimming pool, then came in and started dinner. By the time I was finished cleaning my brushes and putting away the ladder several hours later, dinner was on the table.

You’re probably wondering why I am writing this, but the point of this post is to let everyone know that if couples work together to accomplish things, big or small, they can make each other feel good. I felt such a sense of accomplishment for finally getting the painting done and I didn’t feel stressed about having to stop and make sure dinner was ready. I felt that what I was doing was appreciated by my husband enough for him to want to take over some of my usual duties in order for me to get the job done.

Sometimes, spoiling someone can be as simple as letting them know they’re appreciated.

Sometimes we wives can be so wrapped up in our house duties, jobs, or child-rearing that the husband takes a backseat in our attentions. But your man needs loving just as much– and often more than– that job, the baby, and the laundry! A man needs to feel needed, and thrives when his wife shows respect for him. There’s a tendency in our modern age to focus on the needs of the woman. Women certainly do have needs! But so do the men! Here are some ideas to help you kindle that relationship. The nice thing about it is that the man, when loved and respected, will return the love and respect to his wife. So it’s a win-win situation!

Here are ten easy ways to spoil your husband. Be flexible, too. Just the fact that you pay attention to his likes and dislikes will warm his heart. Remember how you like to be treated, and do likewise!

1. Praise him publicly. Never mock him or ridicule him publicly.
2. Cook a nice dinner at least three times a week. Know what his favorite recipes are, and serve them frequently.
3. Tidy the house before he comes home from work. Wipes the kids’ faces, perk some coffee. Make his homecoming a big deal.
4. When he comes home from work, greet him at the door if you can. Don’t ask him how was his day, but let him shake off the cares in his good time. Offer him coffee or a snack.
5. When he’s feeling particularly stressed out, take the kids out of the house to a park for a while, so he can have some alone “down time.”
6. When he offers some advice or an opinion, don’t dismiss it, even if it isn’t very helpful. Consider his input as you would like him to consider yours.
7. Wear neat, clean clothes and dress up from time to time– just for him.
8. Create a special room or a special area just for him and his hobby. Even if it is an armchair with a lamp and some magazines, make a place that is “his” and do not allow the children in that area.
9. Do not overspend the budget.
10. If you are a stay-at-home mom, don’t make him get up for baby’s nighttime feedings. You can get a nap during the day; he works all day and suffers more from lack of sleep.

Every husband is different, so be creative. Sometimes we can put so much emphasis on a new barbecue grill or an HDTV that we forget the more meaningful things. But it’s the meaningful things make the material gifts all the more precious!