“A surprise need not be elaborate or expensive,” says marriage and relationship coach Stacey Greene. “It should be from the heart and filled with opportunity for strengthening the bond between you and your spouse.” If you’re looking for inspiration, we gathered romantic surprise ideas from mental health and relationship experts that will reignite the spark in your relationship. And for more ways to keep your relationship fresh, check out these 21 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Marriage. Has your spouse always wanted to swim with dolphins? Try the tasting menu at a Michelin-star restaurant? Spend a weekend at that beautiful bed and breakfast in the country? Whatever it may be, make a plan to surprise your partner with something you know they’ve always wanted to do or see. “It doesn’t matter how small or how grand—the fact that your partner felt like you listened to them will show them that you care and are paying attention,” says Melissa Divaris Thompson, LMFT, with Embracing Joy Marriage and Family Therapy in Manhattan. And if you’re looking to spice things up, try these 40 Amazing Date Night Ideas for People Over 40. No matter how long you’ve been together, making it clear to your partner that your relationship remains a top priority in your future is a great way of keeping the romance alive. One fun way to do that? “Plan 12 months of dates and have your spouse open up each date at the beginning of the month and follow through with the plan,” suggests Seattle-based licensed mental health counselor Rachel Elder. In doing so, “not only are your prioritizing your relationship for the year, but you are creating future memories together and expressing your desire to be with your partner.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb You don’t need to spend a ton of money on a romantic gift to surprise your partner—creative and thoughtful gestures that let them know you’re thinking about them and value them are sure to help spark a renewed passion in your relationship. “Whether it’s a $20 bill in a coat pocket, a sweet note on their steering wheel, or a date night invitation in their coffee cup, you’ll hardly be able to wait for your spouse to find your fun surprises that you leave for them,” says therapist Lauren Cook, MMFT. Putting pen to paper may feel like an antiquated practice in the digital age—and that’s exactly why a handwritten love letter feels like such a thoughtful and surprising gift. “Affirming or validating love and qualities of your spouse can encourage and create a connection in the relationship as well as help during times of stress when a couple is working through challenges,” says psychotherapist and certified relationship coach Babita Spinelli. Even if you’ve never found a personal passion for crocheting or puzzles, taking an interest in your spouse’s favorite hobby—especially if you’ve been resistant to doing so in the past—can be a great way to give them a romantic surprise. Sure, flights to Paris may be prohibitively pricey, but you can still sweep your significant other off their feet with a romantic getaway closer to home. Just set your sights on a spot that’s important to you as a couple and book your trip! And if you want to be more romantic in general, brush up on these 50 Relationship Quotes to Reignite Your Love. Whether your spouse had a stressful day at work and could use a chance to blow off steam or they just got a promotion you want to celebrate with them, picking your significant other up at the end of the workday is a romantic surprise they’re sure to love. The surprise will be an instant mood booster for your partner, and you’ll feel pretty good about seeing them so excited, too! Has your spouse been complaining about the loose banister on your staircase or their messy closet for what feels like forever? If you want to surprise them in the best way, arrange to have it taken care of by the time they get home at the end of the day. “This can be as big as a remodeling or redecorating job, or as small as sending out the laundry,” explains Rachel D. Miller, a marriage and family therapist based in Chicago. “Taking something off your partner’s to-do list can create space in their mind to be present with you in a moment or maybe a day of fun and frivolity.” And if you’re eager to keep your marriage healthy, make sure you know these 40 Marriage Mistakes No One Over 40 Should Make, According to Experts. Hearing “I love you” is nice, but if you want to surprise your spouse, give them thoughtful compliments on top of those daily reminders of your love for them. Greene recommends everything from the gushing “You look wonderful” to the grateful “Thank you for always forgiving me when I lose my temper.” Regardless of its nature, any comment that clearly comes from a genuine place and that shows how much you appreciate them can make a big impact. Not every romantic surprise for your spouse has to be an experience you do together. If you want to give your partner a gift they’re sure to love, try offering them some time to fly solo. “This gives your partner a chance to recharge,” says Miller. Looking for some ideas as to how to do that? Book a hotel room for your partner or take the kids away for the weekend. And when they return from having some time to themselves, you might just find that your relationship is better for it. “Fully charged partners are more likely to want to engage in quality time together, especially if they have had quality time alone,” Miller explains. Want to give your spouse a romantic surprise they’ll love on a shoestring budget? Compile a slideshow of photos of your relationship or create a memento box and have it ready to show them when they arrive home. “Nostalgia can create emotional connection and bring the warmth of those early days back to the surface,” Miller says. “Surprising your partner with a trip down memory lane either through a scrapbook, a framed enlargement of favorite picture, or a recreation of a first date or favorite moment can be an incredibly powerful way to reconnect.” And if you want to maintain the strength of your bond in the future, try these 17 Daily Habits That Keep a Marriage Healthy, According to Therapists. Everyone could use some R&R from time to time—including you!—so why not surprise your spouse with a day for the two of you to unwind and recharge? “Surprising your partner with a planned day of relaxation together provides the atmosphere and mood for meaningful reconnection,” says Miller. Who says you have to make reservations at a fancy restaurant to surprise your spouse with an unforgettable romantic meal? Instead, try surprising them with a picnic at home. Prepare a meal, get their favorite wine and dessert, and let the fun unfold. “Creating something new in a familiar place can bring a sense novelty, which stimulates our brains,” says licensed therapist Farah Harris, MA, LCPC. “And the shared experience can help you feel closer to your partner.” Even if eating under the stars isn’t an option, try spicing things up in the kitchen (and maybe elsewhere later on) by planning a menu full of aphrodisiacs to cook and enjoy together. “Grab a fun cookbook like Fork Me, Spoon Me or Romancing the Stove,” suggests Miller. “Let the books be the surprise, and you can plan a menu to cook together and have a spicy night in.” Want to really surprise your spouse? Then arrange a night out for them—without you by their side. “Set up a date or evening for your spouse to get together with his or her friends,” suggests professional life coach Carrie C. Mead, MS. By sitting the evening out and allowing your significant other to nourish their other relationships, “it shows your spouse that you care deeply about their needs and are willing to make sacrifices for them.”
