50 acts of service examples for couples

Have a partner who’s love language is acts of service? Then check out these acts of service examples that are perfect for making them feel loved and appreciated.

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Understanding your partner’s love language is the quick win of the relationship world.

After all, if your love language is acts of service then you might be less than enthusiastic when your husband comes home from work with your favorite candy bar that he picked up from the store and a bunch of flowers.

While you appreciate it, it’s when he comes home and cooks dinner for you that you really feel loved.

When you know your love language, and that of your loved one, you can be more thoughtful and intentional in the ways you show love. You’ll know that your expressions of caring are received as they are intended.

As well as acts of service, the love languages include:

Your preferred love language can change over time, so if you’re not sure what yours is or want to check it again, then you can do the quiz here.

You can also read more about Love Languages here.

However if you’re here because you suspect or know your spouse’s love language is acts of service and you’re looking for examples of things you can do to show your love, then you’re in the right place.

The key thing about acts of service is that it is an act, and that requires time and effort. You’re truly walking the walk not just talking the talk.

Here’s acts of service examples that you can use to show your love – but before you simply leap into doing the first 10 on the list and thinking you’re done, here’s some things to think about so your choices are thoughtful and considered.

When they complain about household chores, which ones do they seem to dislike the most? And which ones do they actually enjoy? For example, I love to vacuum. I have a Dyson and my vacuuming is always punctuated with periodic checking of the canister to see how full it is. I even like to “double vac” a room – doing it for the second time after I’ve emptied the canister, just to see how much more dust and dog hairs I can get. Take my vacuuming away from me, I might even be kind of sad. However go and clean the bathroom? Now we’re talking!
Are there things they often mention but ever seem to get around to doing – and that causes them stress? I’m thinking things like the garden being lost to weeds or booking an air conditioning service… important but not urgent tasks that can carry on from one weekend to the other. These are great things to do for them or to organize. You’ll also help reduce their mental load
Are you so focused on what you could do for them that you forget to listen to them? If they actually ask you to do something specific or say they need something from you, then you don’t need acts of service examples- you just need to honor their request as far as you are able
When you’re selecting these acts of service, are you aware of what you’re capable of? If you’re working long days and doing a side hustle at night, chances are you’re going to be feeling pretty spent. Think about what you can pull off realistically that you can also maintain. Maybe you do smaller gestures in the morning (like make them a coffee) and save the bigger tasks for the weekend
After you’ve done one of these things, how does your loved one react? Take note and think about which acts of service are meaningful to them so you know what’s worth repeating and what’s a waste of time. And if they’re not overtly appreciative ever, let them know that you’re trying to show your love for them and you’d appreciate their feedback on what they really value

And a final tip before we get into the examples – the acts should be done willingly. Filling their car with gas and then complaining about how long it took to get done kind of defeats the purpose.

So in summary, making sure your acts of service are valued and appreciated comes down to fulfilling a need, that unfilled causes them some form of pain, that you are capable of doing well.

It’s even better when it’s unexpected.

Acts of service examples

Now we’ve got that out of the way, here’s acts of service examples for you to test:

make the bed in the morning
bring them a cup of coffee in bed
make them a packed lunch
clean their sunglasses
do one of their regular chores
take out the trash
clean their car
plate up their dinner
get up and help when they’re working on something
wash the dogs
take the dogs out to the toilet by yourself
mend a tear or hole in their clothes
take their car for a service
change the sheets
order a repeat prescription for them
pick up their prescription
get them a fresh towel or warm up their towel in the dryer while they’re in the shower
plan a date night or a weekend getaway
look after the kids so they can sleep in
untangle a necklace
get that project finished that is still on their list
print out their fave photo
tidy their bedside table
shine their shoes
buy birthday cards for their family
unpack the groceries
clean the HVAC filters
take their clothes to the drycleaner
replace the toothpaste (rather than engage in a silent war as to who can make it last the longest)
clean their laptop
iron their work clothes
water the plants
charge their phone
walk the dogs
fold the laundry
book tickets to an event they’d like to go to
make their favorite meal
bake their favorite cake
record the game for them
order their fave toiletries before they run out
take them a drink when they’re out in the yard
post a parcel
organize a return purchase
get their car serviced
give them a night or weekend off
set up reminders for important events
have a shower together and wash them
buy the groceries
replace their razor, soap or shampoo in the shower
open the gate for them

Really show your love through your actions with these acts of service examples.

And if you’ve got an Act of service partner, then maybe this has opened your eyes to all the things he or she does for you as well!