14 ways on how to surprise your boyfriend on his birthday

Is your boyfriend's birthday coming up, and you have no idea what to do? In this blog post, we will share awesome birthday surprise ideas to make your boyfriend feel special.

On this page

It’s your boyfriend’s birthday coming up, and you want to make it extra special for him. You’ve racked your brain trying to come up with the perfect idea, but nothing seems quite right. Birthdays are a great way to make someone feel better and more loved, and they’re also perfect opportunities to spend quality time together with friends and family. 1 And yet, you can’t seem to come up with anything that you know he’ll love.

Don’t worry – we’re here to help! We’ve got some great tips on how to make your boyfriend feel loved and special on his big day. So read on, and get ready to make your boyfriend happy!

1. Make a list of all the things your boyfriend loves and try to do at least one of those things on his birthday.

1. Make a list of all the things your boyfriend loves and try to do at least one of those things on his birthday.

The key is to do something that you know he’ll enjoy. Does your boyfriend love spending time outdoors? Why not take him on a hike or go for a picnic in the park? If he’s more of a homebody, maybe you could cook his favorite food or watch movies in bed together.

Writing down your memories together is always a great way to reminisce and make things easier to remember. 2 This list will serve as a great reminder of all the things he loves and help you brainstorm ideas for how to make his birthday special.

Knowing his love language - or the way he likes to express and receive love - can also be helpful in planning a birthday that will really speak to him. Couples who respond to their partner’s love language tend to have more satisfying relationships, so it’s definitely worth considering. 3 Some people like to feel loved by receiving gifts, while others feel more loved when they are given quality time or acts of service.

Whatever his love language is, try to incorporate it into your plans for his birthday!

Need some inspiration for a romantic surprise? Here are eleven ideas for romantic surprises for your boyfriend’s birthday.

2. Make a scrapbook of all the great memories you have shared together over the years.

This is a great way to remind your boyfriend of all the good times you’ve had together. From the first time you met to the most recent memory, put them all in a scrapbook and give it to him as a birthday present. Scrapbooking is a great way to promote emotional strength and show him how much you care. 4 It’s also a lot of fun. He’ll love flipping through the pages and remembering all the happy moments you’ve shared.

If you need some inspiration, check out some of the great scrapbooking ideas online. There are lots of different ways to put together a scrapbook, so you can find one that suits your style and personality. Pinterest is a great place to start – just search for scrapbooking ideas, and you’ll find tons of inspiration.

3. Bring him breakfast in bed on his birthday morning.

3. Bring him breakfast in bed on his birthday morning.

This is a great way to start the day with a little bit of love. Food sharing is a tried and true method for interpersonal closeness, and what better way to do it than with his favorite breakfast foods? 5 Plus, it’s a nice way to pamper him and make him feel special. He’ll be delighted to wake up to breakfast in bed, and you’ll get bonus points for being so thoughtful!

If you’re not sure what his favorite breakfast is, take a look at his food preferences or ask one of his friends. There are plenty of great breakfast recipes online, so you can cook something up yourself or order it from a restaurant. Either way, your boyfriend is sure to love it!

4. Plan a surprise party with his closest friends

This is a great way to celebrate his birthday with all the people he loves. Spending time with peers, especially during adulthood, helps to facilitate a sense of community and support, and improves mental and physical health. 6 So, get together with his friends and plan a birthday party that he won’t see coming. Make sure to keep the surprise hidden until the day of the party and watch him light up when he realizes what’s going on.

There are lots of different ways to throw a surprise party. If your boyfriend is into music, you could have a karaoke party or a themed party with his favorite band. Or if he’s more of a sports fan, you could have a Super Bowl party or a pool party. The possibilities are endless!

Just make sure to have plenty of finger foods and a birthday cake to celebrate the birthday boy. And be sure to take lots of pictures so you can remember the party for years to come!

5. Get creative with the decorations

5. Get creative with the decorations

Put up streamers, balloons, or even some fairy lights. The more personalized the decorations are, the better. This is your chance to show how much you care and put some thought into it.

What he’s favorite color? What’s his favorite sports team? What’s his favorite movie? There are so many things to choose from, you can really make it your own. Just make sure to put up some sort of sign or banner that says HAPPY BIRTHDAY, so everyone knows it’s his special day.

The possibilities of birthday decorations are endless, so use your imagination and go all out! Make sure that the decorations reflect your boyfriend’s personality. He’ll love seeing all the effort you went into it, and it will make his birthday that much more special.

6. Write him a heartfelt letter telling him why you love him

6. Write him a heartfelt letter telling him why you love him

This is a really personal and special way to show your boyfriend how much you love him. Take some time to write out all the reasons why you love him, and put it into a letter or birthday card for him to read on his birthday. This will be one of the most memorable gifts he receives, and he’ll cherish it forever.

If you’re not sure where to start, think about all the things you love about him. Are he’s always there for you when you need him? Is he always willing to make you laugh? Is he a great listener? Write down all the things that come to mind, and you’ll have plenty of material for your letter.

Be sure to tell him how much he means to you and how much you appreciate everything he’s done for you. Let him know that you’ll always be there for him, no matter what. The letter doesn’t have to be long, but it should be heartfelt and from the heart.

If you’re looking for the perfect words to describe your love, look no further than these heartfelt emotional wishes for your boyfriend on his birthday.

7. Compliment him the whole day

Make sure to let your boyfriend know how lucky you feel to be with him, and how happy he makes you. Romantic relationships have huge potential to be self-affirming, and reframing your compliments to make them more meaningful can help increase relationship satisfaction and security. 7 Of course, you can compliment your boyfriend any time of year, but his birthday is the perfect time to really lay it on thick.

Some great things to compliment your boyfriend on are his sense of humor, his intelligence, his looks, and his character. If you can think of any other specific things you love about him, be sure to mention those as well. The more specific you can be, the better.

And don’t forget to tell him how much you love him! This is the most important thing, and it will mean the world to him.

8. Have a special birthday dinner prepared just for him

8. Have a special birthday dinner prepared just for him

This is a really simple and easy way to make your boyfriend feel special on his birthday. All you need is a nice dinner table set up and some of his favorite food. Make sure to have candles, flowers, wine, and anything else that will make the dinner special.

This is your chance to really show your culinary skills and impress him with a fantastic dinner. If you’re not sure what to make, look up some recipes online or in a cookbook. And be sure to have a birthday cake to finish off the meal.

He’ll love being able to relax and enjoy a nice dinner without having to worry about preparing it himself. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to spend some quality time together and catch up on all the things that have been going on.

9. Buy him a gift that is unique and special to him

If you know what his favorite hobby is or what he’s interested in, buy him a gift related to that. Receiving gifts has been positively linked with relationship strength, perceived similarity, and the evaluation of the relationship’s future potential. 8 Your boyfriend will appreciate the thought and effort you put into getting him a thoughtful gift he can use and enjoy. This is the perfect way to show your boyfriend how much you care about him.

If you’re not sure what his interests are, or you want to get him something more personal, try buying him a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant or store. This way, he can choose whatever he wants, and you know that it will be something he’ll really appreciate.

No matter what you choose, make sure it’s something unique and special to him. He’ll love knowing that you put in the extra effort to find the perfect gift for him.

10. Organize a fun scavenger hunt for him with clues that lead to his gift

10. Organize a fun scavenger hunt for him with clues that lead to his gift

This is a really fun and unique way to give your boyfriend his birthday gift. It’s a bit of a challenge, but it will be worth it when he finally solves the clues and finds his gift.

The scavenger hunt can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. You could have a few easy clues that lead him to a small gift, or you could make it a really challenging puzzle that takes him all over town. It’s up to you!

Be sure to include some fun tasks or challenges along the way. He’ll love being able to do something different and exciting on his birthday. And the best part is, he gets to open his gift at the end.

Get your loved ones the best birthday wishes from miles away with these heartfelt, funny, and sweet messages.

11. Give him a relaxing and rejuvenating massage

11. Give him a relaxing and rejuvenating massage

Massages are a great way to show your boyfriend how much you care about him. They’re relaxing, soothing, and just generally make you feel good. Plus, they’re the perfect way to celebrate his birthday.

If you’re not very experienced in giving massages, there are plenty of instructional videos online that can teach you the basics. Or, if you have a friend or family member who is a massage therapist, ask them for some tips. You can also enroll in short positive massage programs offered at some community centers or recreation facilities, which have been shown to improve wellbeing, perceived stress and coping, and relationship satisfaction among couples. 9

Once you know how to give a massage, set up a nice and relaxing environment for him. This could include dimming the lights, playing some soft music, and using scented oils. He’ll love being able to relax and enjoy his birthday with a massage from you. Even a simple message has short-term benefits on pain reduction and musculoskeletal function, so don’t worry if you’re not a professional. 10

12. Bake his favorite cake or cookies

Baking is a great way to show your boyfriend how much you care about him. It’s a fun and creative activity, and the end result is always delicious. Plus, it’s a great way to celebrate his birthday.

If you’re not sure what his favorite cake or cookies are, ask him. He’ll be happy to share his favorite recipe with you. Or, if you want to surprise him, try baking one of his favorites without telling him. He’ll be really impressed when he sees what you’ve made.

Be sure to take lots of pictures while you’re baking, so you can share them with your boyfriend on his birthday. He’ll love seeing how much fun you had while baking his favorite treat.

13. Plan a romantic picnic for the two of you outdoors

13. Plan a romantic picnic for the two of you outdoors

It’s romantic, fun, and always a hit with everyone. Planning romantic picnics and date nights won’t only increase excitement and promote self-expansion in your relationship 11, it’s also a great way to spend some quality time together and enjoy the nice weather. There are a few things you’ll need to do before planning your picnic.

First, check the weather forecast and make sure it will be nice on the day of his birthday. Next, gather all the supplies you’ll need for the picnic. This includes food, drinks, napkins, plates, and utensils.

Once you have everything you need, it’s time to plan the actual picnic. Choose a location that you both love, and make sure there’s plenty of room for you to spread out. If you want, you can also bring some games or activities to keep you entertained.

The most important thing is to make sure the picnic is romantic and special for your boyfriend. He’ll love spending his birthday outdoors with you.

14. Message jamboree

A message jamboree is a fun and easy way to send lots of messages in one go, and it’s a great way to celebrate his birthday.

To set up a message jamboree, all you need is an online chat service or messaging app. You can use anything from Facebook Messenger to WhatsApp to Snapchat. Then, all you need to do is invite your boyfriend and start sending him birthday messages.

The best part is, you can send whatever you want. You can write a personal message, share a funny meme, or even just wish him a happy birthday. The more messages you send, the better. He’ll love scrolling through all of your messages on his birthday.

So there you have it, 14 easy and fun ways to make your boyfriend feel special on his birthday. No matter how you choose to celebrate his birthday, the most important thing is that you make your boyfriend feel special and loved. He will appreciate any effort you put into making his birthday special. So, go ahead and start planning now!


  1. Rojaka, D., & Lesinskienė, S. (2018). A survey of some aspects of birthday celebration. Acta medica Lituanica, 25(2), 107–111. doi.org ↩︎

  2. Klein, K., & Boals, A. (2001). Expressive writing can increase working memory capacity. Journal of experimental psychology. General, 130(3), 520–533. doi.org ↩︎

  3. Mostova, O., Stolarski, M., & Matthews, G. (2022). I love the way you love me: Responding to partner’s love language preferences boosts satisfaction in romantic heterosexual couples. PloS one, 17(6), e0269429. doi.org ↩︎

  4. McCarthy, P. G., & Sebaugh, J. G. (2011). Therapeutic scrapbooking: a technique to promote positive coping and emotional strength in parents of pediatric oncology patients. Journal of psychosocial oncology, 29(2), 215–230. doi.org ↩︎

  5. Hamburg, M. E., Finkenauer, C., & Schuengel, C. (2014). Food for love: the role of food offering in empathic emotion regulation. Frontiers in psychology, 5, 32. doi.org ↩︎

  6. Masten, C. L., Telzer, E. H., Fuligni, A. J., Lieberman, M. D., & Eisenberger, N. I. (2012). Time spent with friends in adolescence relates to less neural sensitivity to later peer rejection. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 7(1), 106–114. doi.org ↩︎

  7. Marigold, Denise C.; Holmes, John G.; Ross, Michael (2007). More than words: Reframing compliments from romantic partners fosters security in low self-esteem individuals.. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(2), 232–248. doi.org ↩︎

  8. Chan, C., & Mogilner, C. (2016). Experiential Gifts Foster Stronger Social Relationships than Material Gifts. Journal of Consumer Research, ucw067. doi.org ↩︎

  9. Naruse, S. M., & Moss, M. (2019). Effects of couples positive massage programme on wellbeing, perceived stress and coping, and relation satisfaction. Health psychology and behavioral medicine, 7(1), 328–347. doi.org ↩︎

  10. Bervoets, D. C., Luijsterburg, P. A., Alessie, J. J., Buijs, M. J., & Verhagen, A. P. (2015). Massage therapy has short-term benefits for people with common musculoskeletal disorders compared to no treatment: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy, 61(3), 106–116. doi.org ↩︎

  11. Harasymchuk, C., Walker, D. L., Muise, A., & Impett, E. A. (2021). Planning date nights that promote closeness: The roles of relationship goals and self-expansion. Journal of social and personal relationships, 38(5), 1692–1709. doi.org ↩︎

Author picture of David Hall
Dating Expert

David Hall

David Hall is a self-taught dating expert who works as a freelance writer to help people improve their love lives. He has always been interested in dating, physical attraction, and …

Read full bio

Get the official app 😍

PumPum® app icon

PumPum®

For iPhone & Android
Browse all articles