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If you have a loved one with a birthday coming up, you’re probably thinking of ways to make their day extra special. Surprising them is a great way to give them a gift or an experience that will astound and amaze them! That’s why we've put together a list of fun, creative ways you can surprise someone and make their birthday extra special this year.

1

Send them a happy birthday video.

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  1. If you want, you could even get other people to record videos, too! Then, send your loved one a fun birthday message straight to their phone.[1]
    • This is a great idea for a loved one who lives far away.
    • If you aren’t sure what to say, try telling them how much you care about them and that you hope their birthday is the best day ever.
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3

Schedule a day of fun.

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  1. Think about what hobbies they have, where they like to eat, and what they do to relax. Make a schedule and let them know they shouldn’t make any plans that day. Then, take them out to eat, to the spa, to their favorite restaurant, or to a popular nature spot for a day of fun.[3]
    • Spend the morning taking a hike, the afternoon playing miniature golf or paintball, and the night watching a double feature at the drive in.
    • Or, make it a 12 days of birthday celebration. For the 12 days leading up to the birthday, give him/her a note, a card, a letter, his/her favorite candy bar, or even an activity. Spread out the fun instead of putting it in one day.
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5

Make them a massage appointment.

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6

Make them breakfast in bed.

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  1. You could make pancakes, waffles, eggs, French toast, or anything your heart desires! Plate it all up on a tray and bring it to the special person to eat while they’re in bed. Add a cute card and a vase of fresh flowers to make this birthday breakfast extra special.[6]
    • Don’t forget to clean up the kitchen after you’re done!
    • If you live far away from your loved one, try ordering them a special breakfast on DoorDash, Postmates, or Uber Eats and getting it delivered to their home.
9

Fill their space with balloons.

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  1. When they go into the area, they’ll be showered in balloons! Pick balloons of all different colors for a fun, festive surprise they’ll never forget.[9]
    • If you have the time, write messages on the balloons. You can write, "I love you more than ____" or "Reason #___ that I love you is ______."
    • You could also write memories, funny stories, inside jokes, song lyrics, and meaningful words on the balloons to show them how special they are to you.
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10

Bake them a birthday cake.

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  1. Take the time to make a cake from a box or from scratch, then decorate it yourself. It will taste better than if you buy one (and it will be super meaningful, too).[10]
    • If your loved one isn’t a fan of cake, you could make cupcakes, pie, or cookies instead! It’s their day, so make something that they’re going to love.
    • Or, if they live far away, send them a dessert from their local bakery and have it delivered to their doorstep.
    • If the birthday person doesn’t eat sweets, try making them their favorite dinner or a savory snack instead.
11

Decorate their locker if they’re in school.

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  1. Paint a few signs that say “Happy Birthday” and tape them to the outside of their locker. Hang a few streamers or even some balloons on the outside for some extra birthday fun! You could also add magnets, a group photo, wrapping paper, a huge birthday card, or some candy.[11]
    • Some schools have rules against decorating lockers. Make sure you check your student handbook beforehand so you don’t get your friend into trouble.
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12

Plan a surprise party.

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  1. It’s a classic way to celebrate your loved one with a surprise. Tell all your friends to meet at your house about 30 minutes before the birthday person arrives. Decorate the place with balloons, streamers, and signs, and have a birthday cake waiting in the kitchen. When the birthday person walks in, jump out and yell “Surprise!” or "Happy Birthday!"[12]
    • To really sell the surprise, pretend like you forgot your loved one’s birthday or that you have nothing planned. That way, they’ll be super shocked when they walk into a party.
    • If your loved one lives far away, try hosting a surprise party over Zoom instead. Invite all of your loved ones onto a video chat, then invite the birthday person (but tell them it’s a one-on-one convo). When they join the chat, everyone can yell “Surprise!” or "Happy Birthday!"
13

Host a surprise dinner.

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  1. Tell everyone to meet up for dinner at a special spot, then get there with the birthday person a little later. When they arrive, they’ll be shocked by their friends and family members waiting to celebrate with them.[13]
    • Or, host a surprise potluck dinner at your house with every guest bringing a dish to share.
    • You could also host a dinner over video chat. Have everyone make a fancy dish and sit down in front of their computers to eat “together.”
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I make sure the surprise isn't ruined when I'm throwing a surprise party?
    Rachel Weinshanker
    Rachel Weinshanker
    Certified Party Planner
    Rachel Weinshanker is a Certified Event and Wedding Planner and the Owner of San Diego Life Events, an award-winning wedding and event planning business based in San Diego, California. Rachel has over eight years of event planning experience, and her work has been featured in many notable publications. San Diego Life Events has been awarded the Wedding Wire Couple's Choice Award in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Rachel is a graduate from San Diego State University.
    Rachel Weinshanker
    Certified Party Planner
    Expert Answer
    The most important thing to remember at a surprise party is timing. I always recommend that my clients leave at least 30 minutes between when guests and the guest of honor will arrive. That way, any latecomers can still arrive late without the guest of honor seeing them outside of the venue, potentially ruining the surprise. If you have friends that you know are always late, you may want to give them an earlier arrival time, just in case.
  • Question
    How can I surprise someone when I have less money?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Sometimes gifts don't get special when they are all fancy and expensive. They can also be special if love and effort are shown in them.You can make them something with your own hands or you can surprise them by making dinner with the best items they like and having a pleasant atmosphere with a nice song and a few candles while gulping it up.
  • Question
    I want to give my sister a midnight birthday surprise. How should I do it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Set your alarm clock. When you get up, go to her room with streamers, balloons and blowers. Turn on all the lights and yell Happy _th Birthday! If you like, you can also take a gift.
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Tips

  • Whatever you're planning, keep the birthday person in mind. If it's not something you think they'd like, go with something else.

Tips from our Readers

  • If surprising someone at school, decorate their locker the afternoon or evening before so you don't have to rush early. Just don't break any school rules about decorating lockers.
  • If you're planning a surprise party, try centering it around a theme you think the person will like. For example, if they like movies, you could have a movie night themed party.
  • Make sure the birthday person is someone truly special to you before spending lots of time and money on an elaborate gift or party. Focus on close friends and family.
  • If you'd like, you can also mail the person a card for their birthday. Just be sure to get it in the mail far enough in advance so it'll reach the person in time!
  • Keep the guest of honor occupied and engaged so they don't get bored and try to leave their own celebration early! Plan fun activities and games.
  • Make sure to take any allergies into consideration if you're planning something involving food or other possible allergens.
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About This Article

Rachel Weinshanker
Co-authored by:
Certified Party Planner
This article was co-authored by Rachel Weinshanker and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Rachel Weinshanker is a Certified Event and Wedding Planner and the Owner of San Diego Life Events, an award-winning wedding and event planning business based in San Diego, California. Rachel has over eight years of event planning experience, and her work has been featured in many notable publications. San Diego Life Events has been awarded the Wedding Wire Couple's Choice Award in 2018, 2019, and 2020. Rachel is a graduate from San Diego State University. This article has been viewed 947,452 times.
49 votes - 69%
Co-authors: 38
Updated: May 4, 2024
Views: 947,452
Article SummaryX

To surprise someone on their birthday, try starting the day by making them a birthday breakfast with their favorite foods. Alternatively, you could fill their room or car with balloons so they’ll be showered in balloons when they open the door. You can also make them a “birthday in a box” by filling a large box with gifts based on something they enjoy, such as popcorn, candy, and a DVD for a film buff. If they have a locker at school, decorate the inside with streamers, wrapping paper, and post-it notes with messages from friends. For tips on how to throw a surprise party for someone without them finding out, read on!

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    Anonymous

    Jul 10, 2017

    "I used the tip to decorate the locker and my friends loved it! Every time there is a birthday, the whole class gets..." more
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