Brits commonly express their love by cooking and giving compliments, study finds

Brits express their love in relationships by cooking, giving compliments, celebrating small achievements – and doing DIY projects, research has revealed. A study, of 2,000 adults, found writing cards, doing the washing up, and taking the bins, out are the top ways UK adults love to show signs of affection.

As many as 52 percent have sent handwritten letters, and 33 percent have shared video messages with their loved ones in the last six months.

“I love you”, “I can’t imagine life without you”, and “you mean the world to me”, were cited as the most common romantic phrases used in a relationship.

And expressing love through written words was a winner, as 73 percent consider a love note or card to be romantic – according to the research commissioned by Hallmark, to determine the top ways that people express their love on Valentine’s Day.

Exactly two in 10 adults have sent flowers to spread love and positivity, and a handful (three percent) have even had a matching tattoo with someone they care about.

Others exhibit fondness by completing DIY tasks around the house (16 percent) – with 44 percent considering such gestures to be “romantic”.

Leaving them the last snack (24 percent), sending good morning texts (23 percent), and planning spontaneous date nights (19 percent), were also ways those polled have shown love for their other half.

Emma Bragg, writing director from Hallmark, said: “There are plenty of ways we can show we care about someone, and make them feel special.

“In this modern, digital world, the time it takes to send a handwritten note or card can make the recipient feel loved and appreciated.

“From traditional things such as writing a love letter, to practical things like making the bed and mending something around the house, the research shows Brits have done it all.

“But whoever you love, and however you love, the most important thing is to make sure the people you love know it.”

The research went on to investigate the UK’s top “love language” – a term used to describe the ways in which romantic partners express and experience love.

Physical touch was the most common love language (34 percent), which entails expressing love through gestures like hugs and kisses.

This was closely followed by quality time (22 percent), which involves connecting emotionally by spending meaningful time together.

However, only 14 percent have been asked about their love language – and, of those, 57 percent noticed a difference in the way the other person showed them love.

It comes as 45 percent consider themselves the romantic type – however, 29 percent struggle to express their feelings. But 53 percent find it easier to do this if they know the other person’s love language, according to the OnePoll stats.

Dating expert, Hayley Quinn, who has teamed up with Hallmark, said: “It’s important to see how your love language aligns with your partner’s, because a lot of the time they will value different things to you.

“If you communicate your love differently to your partner, it can be hard for the other person to understand how much you appreciate them.

“So, whilst you made the bed in the morning to show how much you care, they may connect more with a handwritten note.

“Simply asking how someone likes to give and receive affection in a relationship can go a long way to tighten an already strong bond. It will also help you to recognise all the small, and sometimes mundane, ways your partner shows their love for you.

“Your partner’s Valentine’s Day gesture may not be like something out of a rom-com – and we shouldn’t expect it to be – but if you understand their love language, you’ll know how much they care.”