21 Ways to Make Your Long Distance Boyfriend Feel Special

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Thoughtful gifts and fun things to do with your long distance boyfriend
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Whether your long-distance boyfriend had a bad day, is feeling a little extra lonely, or you simply want to shower him with love, there are plenty of ways to make him feel special and show him that you care when you can’t be there in person. Sending him a sweet text, planning a romantic virtual dinner date, and surprising him with a care package are just a few options to put a smile on his face and express your love. If you’re looking for more ideas, keep reading! We put together a list of thoughtful gifts, activities, and messages to make your boyfriend feel special, all with help from relationship experts.

The Best Surprises for a Long Distance Boyfriend

  1. Send him a love letter.
  2. Mail him a care package.
  3. Have a virtual dinner date.
  4. Send him food or a thoughtful gift.
  5. Make him a scrapbook.
  6. Plan your next visit together.
1

Write a love letter or card.

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  1. This old-school gesture is sure to brighten his day. Write him a sweet note explaining how much you love and care about him. For instance, tell him all the reasons you love him, or reminisce about your favorite memories together. It’s okay if you aren’t a wordsmith—feel free to toss a love poem into the mix, or reference a romantic movie. [1] If it’s a special occasion, like a birthday or holiday, mail him a card, instead. [2]
    • You might say, “I can’t believe how lucky I am to have you in my life,” or “I’m counting down the days until we can see each other again.”
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2

Schedule a virtual dinner date.

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  1. To really set the mood, change into a fancy outfit and light some candles in front of your webcam. Regularly scheduled dinner dates allow you and your boyfriend to spend quality time together, which is really important for both of you, says relationship coach John Keegan. It also reminds him that you really care about him, and that he’s an important part of your life. [3]
    • For a fun twist, you can even try cooking together and making the same meal! Or, you can each order a meal from a new restaurant and share your food reviews.
    • Try to schedule a dinner date or other type of virtual date once a week, or once every other week, depending on your schedules.
    • Don’t feel like you have to be talking the entire time you're video chatting. Licensed clinical social worker Raffi Bilek, LCSW-C, says the simple act of spending time together is beneficial to your relationship.
    • If you don’t have time for a dinner date, try coordinating your schedules and watching the sunrise or sunset together.
3

Mail him a surprise care package.

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  1. Fill a box with your boyfriend’s favorite snacks, sweets, and other small gifts, like socks, a book, a candle, or a restaurant gift card. Slip in a cute note or doodle to make him smile, too. These gifts don’t have to be lavishly expensive—the package alone shows that you’re thinking about him, which will make him feel special. [4]
    • Add a personal touch by mailing him an old shirt or hoodie that smells like you, or a framed photo of the 2 of you together.
    • You can even try choosing a special theme for your care package For instance, send him self-care items like face masks or a throw blanket. Or, send him things related to his hobbies, like bicycling gear or colored pencils.
    • Send him a pre-made care package if you don’t have time to put one together. There are great snack and self-care package options online!
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4

Order him food.

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  1. Download an app like Seamless, Postmates, DoorDash, GrubHub, or Uber Eats . Check that these apps deliver to his address, and then order his favorite meal or snack right to his door. [5]
    • Make sure to order the food at a time when he’ll be home!
5

Surprise him with a thoughtful gift.

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  1. Sending him something he’ll enjoy can definitely make him feel special. Take note when your boyfriend tells you about something he wants, then order it for him when you get a chance. Or, surprise him with a meaningful gift you know he’d like, like a t-shirt from his favorite band or a piece of work from an artist he follows online. Romantic gifts are another great idea, like a mug from the coffee shop where you met or a necklace engraved with your anniversary date. [6]
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6

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  1. Sending him a quick TikTok video or picture will put a smile on his face. Whenever you see a funny TikTok, Instagram Reel, or YouTube video you think your boyfriend would appreciate, send it his way! Or, send a song you think he’d like or a pic of the meal you had at a restaurant that you can’t wait to bring him to. Keegan says these little reminders are a great way to show that you care and bring you two together.
    • Little videos and pictures help your boyfriend feel like he’s involved in your life and special to you, says Keegan. He suggests getting him further involved by asking his opinions about things going on in your life, like how to handle an issue at work or what he thinks about a paper you wrote.
7

Send him a playlist.

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  1. Using an app like, compile a variety of different tunes that remind you of him and your relationship. If possible, set the playlist to private, and then send him a link to your personalized musical gift. [7]
    • You might pick songs by your boyfriend’s favorite band, or pick songs that match his favorite music genres.
    • You can also make a collaborative playlist that you and your boyfriend both add to. This is a fun way to share new music with each other and get an intimate peek into each other’s lives.
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8

Watch a movie together.

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  1. Spending some quality time together can help him feel closer to you. Set aside some time every week or every few weeks to watch something together. You can use an app like Teleparty to start a movie or TV show at the same time and message each other about it while you watch. Keegan says this is a great way to spend some time together and make the distance feel less apparent.
9

Kick back with a game night.

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  1. Other games, like Jackbox party packs, Uno , Animal Crossing: New Horizons , Scrabble GO , and Fortnite, are great options to pass the time. Playing games is a great way to connect with your boyfriend, make him feel special, and make it feel like you're just hanging out, not miles apart. [8]
    • Some games, like Jackbox , cost money to download and play. However, many virtual games are completely free.
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10

Read a book together.

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  1. Start a couples book club to deepen your bond while apart. According to Keegan, reading a book with your long distance boyfriend is a great way to spend quality time together and make you feel closer. He suggests reading a genre you’re both interested in and setting a time to talk about it when you’re done.
    • Keegan also suggests reading a relationship book together, as that could help “improve your relationship.”
11

Send him drawings or crafts.

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  1. Handmade items are sure to make him feel warm and fuzzy inside. You don’t have to be particularly artistic to make your boyfriend a homemade gift—just knowing that you made it for him shows him that you love him! For instance, snap a pic of a cutesy doodle you drew of him or you two together. Or, send him a bracelet you made, a hat you knitted, or little figurines you crafted out of clay. [9]
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12

Put together a scrapbook for him.

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  1. Take him on a walk down memory lane to make him feel loved. Either create a physical scrapbook and mail it to your boyfriend, or make a digital scrapbook using a site like Canva . Fill the scrapbook with pictures from trips you’ve been on together, romantic dates, or silly photos of you guys just hanging out. He’ll appreciate the opportunity to reminisce about your memories together and have a sweet keepsake to hold onto. [10]
13

Help him with his day-to-day tasks.

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  1. Believe it or not, there are lots of ways to virtually lend a hand. You might proofread a paper he’s writing for school, or give him a wake-up call to make sure he’s ready for work. Or, call him while he’s completing his household chores to keep him company as he cleans and straightens up. Little acts of kindness will really make him feel special and cared for. [11]
    • For example, if he hates clothing shopping for clothes, you might order some new shirts and shorts for him online.
    • You could also try paying for dry cleaning so he doesn’t have to worry about doing the wash, or virtually grocery shopping for him.
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14

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  1. Log onto Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or your social platform of choice and post a romantic or cute message gushing about your boyfriend. Then, tag your boyfriend’s account so he gets notified. Now, your boyfriend, as well as your friends, and your followers will all can know how much you value your relationship! [12]
    • You might upload a silly picture of the two of you both, or post a short, sweet message about how much you love him.
15

Check in on him throughout the day.

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  1. Quick messages and phone calls remind him that you care. Staying connected throughout the day shows your boyfriend that you’re thinking of him and helps you keep the relationship strong, says Bilek. He advises that you “keep a constant stream of little notes like, ‘Hi, how's it going?’” so he feels supported. Not every conversation has to be big, though. For instance, Bilek says, “You can call [him] up and say, ‘Hey, I heard a funny joke’ and then hang up.”
    • While you want to check in with your boyfriend regularly, you don’t have to be in contact 24/7. Over-communication can be smothering, says Keegan, so find a balance that works for you and your guy.
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16

Text him encouraging messages.

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  1. Text your boyfriend periodically to remind him how much you love him and how important he is to you. Thank him for being in your life and for always being there. Or, text him a sweet compliment to let him know how special he is—he’ll really appreciate the gesture. [13]
17

Send him a romantic email.

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  1. Draft a sweet note explaining how much you love and care about him, and how you can’t wait to see him soon. Whether he’s at home or at work, an unexpected message in his inbox is sure to brighten his day! [14]
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18

Call him at the end of the day.

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  1. Ask if he's free for a phone or video call after work, or call to wish him a good night right before he goes to bed. Ask him about his day, or, if he’s up for a deeper chat , ask him questions about his favorite memories or deepest wishes. Whatever you talk about, just hearing your voice or seeing your face will make him smile and end the day on a positive note. [15]
    • Make your evening (or any time of the day) phone or video calls a regular thing! According to licensed mental health counselor Laura Richer, making calls a priority helps you connect with your boyfriend and keep your bond strong while you’re long distance.
    • Reader Poll: We asked 1019 wikiHow readers about the best ways to comfort a man who is stressed or upset, and only 6% of them said making him his favorite food. [Take Poll] Instead, talking and listening to him might be more helpful and make him feel special.
19

Plan some time for intimacy.

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  1. While you and your boyfriend might be apart, there are still some creative ways to add spice and intimacy to your relationship. Get into the mood by sending some dirty texts and spicy photos back and forth. Or, have a steamy phone call and consider trying some role play while you're at it. [16]
    • For instance, snap a picture of yourself in some lingerie or send him a spicy photo when he’s getting ready for bed.
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20

Plan your next visit.

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  1. If you don’t have a trip on the calendar yet, set aside some time to plan your next visit! Keegan says it’s important to have in-person time scheduled as regularly as you can to stay connected. Suggest some fun ideas of what you could do the next time you’re together, like heading to the beach, taking a hike, or just relaxing at home. One-on-one time together is a sure way to help him feel special and loved! [17]
    • Instead of traveling to one of your hometowns, find a place to meet in the middle to make it a fun adventure for the both of you. Or, take a vacation together to a destination you’ve both been wanting to go to.
21

Talk about your future.

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  1. Sharing your long-term goals shows your commitment. When you’re in a long distance relationship, Keegan says “you want to have a bigger plan together” to keep things moving in the right direction. Make time to have deep conversations with your boyfriend about where you see the relationship going and when you’ll end the long distance and be together in person again.
    • For instance, you might talk about moving in with him within the next year once you find a job in his city.
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Join the Discussion...

What are the secrets to make a long distance relationship work?
WikiRiverWatcher317
WikiRiverWatcher317
Me (19) and my bf (18) have been dating for 2 years, he is moving a few states away this summer to go to college, and we want to try long distance, but we've never done it before and aren't sure how to make it work. What are your tips for making a LDR thrive?
Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC
Marriage & Family Therapist
We are lucky to have the technology today that allows us to stay close in a long distance relationship. To continue to foster intimacy in a long-distance relationship, regularly check in over Zoom or WhatsApp to update each other on what's going on in your life.

Basically, think about how can you use technology to maintain your connection and understand each other's needs. If you can meet from time to time physically, that would also be great. But each person needs to understand what they need to do to overcome distance and simply have a healthy communication, and to express those needs to one another while maintaining healthy dynamics and positivity.
WikiDesertLeaper849
WikiDesertLeaper849
I'm not going to sugarcoat it...long distance relationships can be hard. You can't really replicate physical intimacy when you're so far apart, but that doesn't mean you can't make it work! My girlfriend and I tried to be intentional with fostering emotional intimacy while we were long-distance. We would use conversational card games to spark deep and connecting conversations.

Also, it's nice to hear from each other regularly. Try to interact every day, even if it's just a quick text. And involving each other in mundane, everyday things kind of simulates being near each other. For example, if she goes clothes shopping she might ask me to pick between options for her, or we'll sit on a video call together while we're both working or cooking so we can exist in the same space together, albeit virtually. You got this!
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  • Question
    How can I spend time with my boyfriend?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    It can be hard to spend quality time with your boyfriend during a long-distance relationship, but it definitely isn’t impossible, either. You might plan a video date or virtual game night, or surprise him with a call. You can also plan ahead for the next time you’ll see each other in person.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    My boyfriend lives in Nebraska, and I live in Texas. I’m only 14 and he's 13. Can we make it work?
    Janice Tieperman
    Community Answer
    It’s definitely possible! Long-distance relationships can work if you’re willing to put in the extra time and effort to spend time with your boyfriend. Try scheduling regular times to call and video chat, and send him plenty of texts, emails, and letters to let him know that you miss him.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/01/magazine/how-to-write-a-love-letter.html
      2. ↑ https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/long-distance-relationships-giving-it-go/
      3. ↑ https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/long-distance-relationships-giving-it-go/
      4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/friendship-20/201806/10-tips-to-make-a-long-distance-relationship-work
      5. ↑ https://verilymag.com/2016/09/5-love-languages-long-distance-relationships-words-of-affirmation-for-guys
      6. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/hru/blog/13-tips-for-making-a-long-distance-relationship-work
      7. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/a52519/valentines-day-ideas-for-long-distance-relationship/
      8. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/how-to/best-online-games-to-play-with-friends-to-keep-you-sane-during-winter-2021/
      9. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/hru/blog/10-ways-to-express-your-love-to-your-significant-other
      1. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/hru/blog/7-ways-to-bring-back-romance-to-your-long-term-relationship
      2. ↑ https://verilymag.com/2016/09/5-love-languages-long-distance-relationships-words-of-affirmation-for-guys
      3. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/hru/blog/10-ways-to-express-your-love-to-your-significant-other
      4. ↑ https://verilymag.com/2016/09/5-love-languages-long-distance-relationships-words-of-affirmation-for-guys
      5. ↑ https://www.psychalive.org/keeping-the-romance-alive-in-a-long-distance-relationship/
      6. ↑ https://www.psychalive.org/keeping-the-romance-alive-in-a-long-distance-relationship/
      7. ↑ https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/how-can-i-give-long-distance-relationship-good-go
      8. ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/hru/blog/13-tips-for-making-a-long-distance-relationship-work

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Long-distance relationships require a little creativity, but there are plenty of cute ways to make your boyfriend feel special. Hand-write him a letter, telling him how much you love him and how you can’t wait to see him. Then, mail it to him so he can keep it and re-read it when he misses you. You can also make a slideshow of your favorite pictures of you together and add a song you both love to it. Or, send him a care package with little gifts, such as his favorite snacks, a framed photo of you, or merchandise of his favorite band. Another way to make your boyfriend feel special is to watch a movie together or play an online game together while video chatting. For more tips from our Relationship co-author, including how to make your long-distance boyfriend laugh, read on!

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