15 Everyday Compliments Your Husband Wants to Hear

Men like getting complimented on their looks, too. So a few kind words before he takes off for work or when you're on your way to dinner is a nice thing to do. Just get ready with your response when he asks, "Does this make my butt look big?"

It doesn't hurt to get more specific. You know how you like it when your husband says he likes that red dress of yours? Same goes for him. Unless he's wearing that Hawaiian shirt you can't stand, in which case you might have to give him some tough love.

Dads usually don't get their due when it comes to parenting compliments. So make sure your husband knows you appreciate him being there to raise your kids together, and that you forgive him for sending your daughter to school in her pajamas.

This one's so basic, but when was the last time you actually said the words? It's easy to take our spouses for granted. Tell him you're happy to be married to him, and don't make fun of him if he tears up a little.

Ever since a cave man was told by his wife that he aced the buffalo hunt, husbands have liked being complimented on a job well done. So tell him how nice the new bathroom faucet looks, or how you can see your reflection in the car bumper he just spent five hours polishing. He'll beam.

Seriously, it doesn't take much—did you know you can score brownie points by just complimenting your husband on his movie choice or restaurant pick? Try not complaining about how much you hate the Olive Garden, and try telling him how happy you are that you're in the vicinity of endless breadsticks.

My husband doesn't cook much, but he makes a mean omelette. So I try and compliment him whenever I can on his omelette expertise. Because, call me selfish, but that just means more omelettes for me. You should see how he eats up those omelette ovations! So make sure and show gratitude for your favorite dishes if you want to keep eating them.

Did you know that deep inside every man is a stand-up comedian? Go ahead, laugh a little harder at the next knock-knock joke he tells, and tell me you don't see his chest puff out a little more. (Side note: It's still OK to encourage him to work on some new material, though.)

If your husband brings home some or all of the bacon, he probably would like to hear how good he is at producing that meat product and how much you appreciate his hard work. Everyone likes to hear a little encouragement when it comes to their career, and they might not be hearing it from their co-workers or their boss.

The next time your kid does something amazing, give your husband a little credit for his contribution to the gene pool. It's easy to blame his ancestors every time your son puts his pants on backwards, but try to acknowledge the good things your husband's passed on, too —like the way the kids can kill a room with their knock-knock jokes.

Aftershave and cologne weren't invented for their medicinal qualities—they're to make men have a pleasant odor. So give a little shout-out the next time your husband goes the extra mile and splashes something on, or maybe just compliment him on his natural manly scent. If he truly doesn't smell nice, you can break the news gently to him by sending him a Paco Rabonne gift pack anonymously.

Hate to mention those cave men again, but when you get down to it we all haven't evolved much when it comes to basic human emotions. Back then, men thrived on being lauded for their manly skills, and it's not much different today. Just replace a bison kill with an expertly grilled flank steak, or a 10-hour trek to find water with 30 minutes of skillfully navigating city streets to find a Starbucks.

Sure it's 2017 and "head of the household" is an antiquated concept, but it couldn't hurt to give your husband some credit for being a good co-caretaker. I'm betting he's already paid you the same compliment. And if he hasn't, this could be a good wake-up call.

Believe it or not, husbands are human, too, and, therefore, self-conscious of their age from time to time. Give them a little boost by comparing them to their older, more haggard-looking peers. Something like, "You're the same age as Russell Crowe? You look so much younger and less drunk."

There's no explanation needed for this one, is there? If you're not already telling your husband he's hot, get started immediately. Do not hesitate, do not delay. Call him now. Or text him one of those fire emojis. If he answers back with, "Is something on fire?" you can answer back with, "YOU."