50 Times People Made Awesome Snacks For Valentine’s Day And Shared Pics So You Can Recreate Them (New Pics)

One doesn’t need to be a scientist to determine that acts of kindness can positively affect people’s relationships. Though there is research to back that up, as studies show that receiving compliments and appreciation, as well as gifts or any acts of kindness, makes people feel loved. That’s why while making cookies or dipping some fruit in chocolate might not seem like much, in a romantic relationship, small gestures can make a big difference.

“It’s important to continually do things to support the relationship and help it to thrive. We often think of grand gestures, but the everyday little things we do to show our partner we care for them are immensely important. Of those, it’s the gestures our partner may not even notice—the invisible support—that are especially helpful,” Dr. Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. told Bored Panda in a recent interview.

Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at The University of New Hampshire, Tyler Jamison, PhD, seconded the idea that small gestures go a long way toward a happy relationship. “Decades of research suggests that the small things are critically important for maintaining strong relationships. Big, romantic gestures can be wonderful, but it's the small acts of care and love that sustain partnerships over the long haul,” she told Bored Panda.

“Strong, healthy partnerships can give us a secure base to explore and grow,” Dr. Jamison suggested, discussing some of the main benefits of a stable romantic relationship. “Being in a relationship also gives us access to another person's perspectives, problem-solving skills, and life experiences, which can enhance our lives.”

In addition to that, the expert pointed out that she believes the best relationships are formed, not found. “Supporting each other, building each other up, and feeding each other's needs is what makes relationships worth working hard for.” (So is feeding each other snacks, if you ask me.)

According to professor of philosophy at University of Haifa, Aaron Ben-Zeév Ph.D., in a genuine long-term loving relationship, it’s the small gestures that tend to weigh more than grand actions, which tend to express a momentary mood rather than profound love. In a piece for Psychology Today, he suggested that, “Love is not one big gesture; it is rather a combination of a million little things expressed in pleasant and kind daily actions.”

Surveys found that more than half of Americans appreciate an unexpected act of kindness, be it a small yet thoughtful gift, a treat, or a spontaneous trip to the beach.

According to Prof. Ben-Zeév, “Profound love, like a happy life, combines the enduring continuum of the little things with the bigger, more meaningful things. The latter spices up romantic relationships and life, but it is not the main course.”

Acts of kindness can make both the person on the receiving end and the person spreading said kindness feel good. Being kind to others is believed to boost the production of feel-good hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine, and linked to reducing blood pressure and the stress hormone, cortisol; it also helps people foster their sense of belonging and relationships with those around them.

The kind—and delicious—gestures on this list are clear expressions of appreciation, showing that the people who made them must really care for the recipient, be it a significant other, a friend, or a beloved family member. That’s because there is no more valuable gift than time, and making a cookie version of Darth Vader likely requires quite a bit of it.

Another great example of how significant seemingly small gestures are in people’s relationships is the so-called “orange peel theory”. Based on the process of peeling an orange, the theory is more focused on the underlying messages that are shared when a person asks their partner to peel the fruit for them rather than the sticky—even if fragrant—peels left in their palms; the partner’s response in such a situation can be quite telling.