Surprise Your Friend: 12 Original Ways and Ideas to Amaze Him

Receiving presents is fun, but giving them away is often even more fun. However, you still want to be a bit original when giving a present. It is fun to surprise your friend with an original present and the anticipation for you is often twice as much fun. You can brainstorm, make the preparations and then wait to see how surprised the look is on your friend’s face.

Because we know how much fun original gifts are, we have listed ten original ways and ideas to surprise the love of your life. Whether on his birthday or your anniversary or before Christmas: it is possible at any time.

What gift giving is good for

Since early history, people have given each other gifts. This is done to build friendships and strengthen the bond with each other. But gifts are also given primarily to get something for each other.

When you give someone a gift, it makes them feel some sort of obligation to give you something in return or to do something for you. So it leads to reciprocity. Consider an end-of-year bonus from your boss for hard work or a present for the neighbor who regularly cleans the windows for you.

Did you know that this is mainly the case in the Netherlands, but that in some cultures it is actually an insult if you want to do something in return or give something back after someone has been nice to you?

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Why do we actually give gifts?

According to scientists, giving someone a gift strengthens the mutual bond, because the gift symbolizes the existing relationship between you and someone else. Often you also give gifts in order from small to large, as your relationship with someone becomes stronger and lasts longer. Sometimes that sounds a bit superficial.

We give these gifts to each other to show that we appreciate the other, that we are grateful and that we (still) have an interest in the other. And of course that is always well-intentioned. Especially personal gifts show that you have taken the time and effort to find a suitable gift for the other. ¹

Better a surprise than a gift

But material gifts often suggest that they ‘must’ be compared. There is always a nicer or better version of every gift. And when you receive a gift from someone, it may quickly feel like you have to give a gift of the same value in return the next time.

Material things ensure that we can never have enough, but things are different with experiences. Every experience is unique and we can cherish it in our memory for a long time. You often experience an experience even better in your mind afterwards than during the actual moment of the experience. That is why giving an experience or surprise to someone is often even more valuable than giving a gift.

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Why should you surprise your boyfriend?

First of all, it’s fun to do or give something different than what everyone else does or gives. Giving socks or boxer shorts can be fun once or twice, but if you have been together for a while you might want to come up with a different gift.

In addition, an original gift shows that you have taken the time to think of something for your boyfriend. It is a sweet form of affection that is always well received. It is also very nice for him to receive an original gift, because he will probably have good memories of it for a long time.

For which occasions?

Not every gift is suitable for every occasion. Therefore, first consider for which occasion you want to give a gift to your boyfriend. For example, is it because he has a birthday soon (and is he reaching a nice, special age)? Or do you want to celebrate your togetherness because your anniversary is in sight?

Maybe you recently got engaged or are getting married soon. Or are you expecting a baby and want to tell your boyfriend that he is going to be a father? There are fun, original gifts for every occasion. Now you just have to decide which gift is right for this specific moment.

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12 Original Ways to Surprise Your Boyfriend

Now think carefully about which gift is suitable. Not only for the occasion, but also for your friend. Not everyone has the same preferences, because every person is different. Fortunately, you know your friend better than anyone, so that should not be a problem. A number of useful tips when preparing the original gift are as follows:

1. Give a gift when he doesn’t expect it; that’s original and spontaneous;
2. Also consider the design; how do you pack it and when/how do you want to give it;

3. A day out or weekend away

The best way to give a gift is to give one that doesn’t just last a short moment. That’s why a whole day out or even a short holiday is great fun to give. Not only because your friend can enjoy it, but you too. Of course, such an undertaking can be relatively expensive, but if you keep an eye on the offers you can plan really nice trips for the two of you.

Is your budget smaller? No worries. Is your friend’s birthday coming up and does he want to get in a glider, for example? Then get his friends and/or family to help pay, so that together you can make his dream come true.

4. Make Christmas a Christmas month

A very nice gift to receive is an advent calendar, because this way you can unwrap a present not just once but 24 times. This way you can make someone happy every day with a little surprise. But it is even more fun if you get an advent calendar that is made especially for you. An original gift is putting together such a calendar for your friend. You can then give a personal gift for every day that suits him or your relationship.

There are many ways to make such an advent calendar on the internet, so be creative and amaze your friend with your original ideas!

Personal gifts are the most fun to receive

Of course, there are many more ways to surprise your friend with an original gift.

5. Make a travel diary or photo album of your travels and beautiful moments together;
6. If you like watching movies, create a cinema package including popcorn, M&M’s, a handwritten card/voucher for a cozy evening together on the couch;
7. If he has a favorite drink, put together a nice package with a bottle of drink, matching glass, merchandise and other nice decorations;

Five more original ideas in a row

8. If he doesn’t get a Christmas package from work, make one yourself containing all the things he likes and enjoys;
9. Buy funny gadgets that suit him or your humor and make him laugh;
10. Give him personal vouchers for, for example, a back massage or not having to vacuum for a week;
11. Organize an evening for him and his friends and provide beer, chips, snacks and football shirts for everyone. He will certainly appreciate that;
12. Encourage one of his personal wishes (such as exercising more often, reading more books, drinking less alcohol, etc.) by giving him a matching gift. That shows that you really know him and want the best for him.

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You know your friend best

Of course, the above gifts are very original and fun to give, but that does not mean that your friend will necessarily be happy with them. Not all gifts are suitable for every man. And that’s a good thing, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to come up with original ideas anymore.

Fortunately, you know your boyfriend best and can probably guess which gifts he will like and which ones will please him less. Also nice: give him a certain amount of money as a gift with which you can (partially) realize a joint wish, such as a new garden or bathroom. You will both enjoy that later.

Go for the optimal experience

As you have read, experiences are often even more valuable to give than material things. That’s why making time for someone when you’re busy or listening to someone who wants to vent is often an even better gift. In addition to respect, people also need attention and appreciation from each other.

So realize that when you want to give your boyfriend the most beautiful gift there is, you can’t do that with money. You do that by really being there for him, by opening up to him and always respecting him. Even on bad days. If you don’t show that on a few occasions, but every time during your relationship, you give him the most beautiful gift there is.

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