It’s not always easy to surprise someone who has been away. You want to make sure that they feel like they have been missed, but you also don’t want them to feel like you were bored while they were gone. So here are some ideas for how to surprise your friend when they return from a trip:
Have Flowers Delivered to Their Front Door
Flowers are a great way to surprise your friend from a vacation overseas. Flowers can be delivered anywhere in the world, so don’t think you have to limit yourself to your home country or region. If you want to send flowers from Los Angeles and have them delivered straight to their front door, You can use a flower delivery and find a flower delivery LA, for example.
Deliver a Homemade Meal or Dessert
Have you ever noticed how when a friend comes home from vacation, they always make a big deal about how much they missed certain foods? It’s like the food becomes the highlight of their trip.
You can do something special for your friends by making them a meal or dessert that reminds them of home. It doesn’t even have to be expensive as plenty of foods are available online and at grocery stores that are easy to prepare and will remind your friend of home.
If you live in different cities, this idea might be more challenging for you since it would require planning so that both people are not busy at the same time; if possible, try it anyway.
Also, remember that gifts don’t need to cost money either; sometimes, spending time and effort on something thoughtful can mean more than an expensive gift ever could.
Gift Them Something You Know They’ll Use
If you know your friend well and have a sense of what they would like, consider gifting them something that they will be able to use and enjoy. Maybe your friend is into fitness and wants to try new workout routines. Get them a gift card for their favorite gym studio or spa. If they love coffee and tea, consider getting them an Amazon gift card to get new coffee accessories or even some specialty teas from around the world.
If all else fails, take advantage of the fact that almost everyone loves movies. Most theaters offer discounted tickets if you purchase in advance online. You could even get two tickets: one for yourself and maybe another friend and one for your overseas buddy who just came back home after being abroad on vacation.
Host a Party on Their Return
Host a party on your friend’s return. Make sure to invite people who know the guest of honor well to celebrate with them. Make sure the guest of honor is taken care of during the party, have a drink in hand, and make sure everyone else is having a good time too. You should also plan for games, music, food, and drinks, anything that will help make your friend’s return more memorable.
And don’t forget: even though you’re welcoming your friend back into town with open arms, remember that it’s still their first day back in the country after being away. They’ll probably be overwhelmed by everything around them, so give them some time alone if they need it.
Give an Excellent Souvenir They Will Love
If you’re giving a souvenir to a friend or family member, there are several options that they might appreciate. For instance, you could give them a remarkable piece of jewelry. If they’re into fashion, this would be especially great.
You might also decide to give them something they can use every day, like an excellent bottle opener or even just their favorite type of coffee beans or tea leaves.
Another thing you could do is give them something humorous that reminds them of their time abroad.
Plan a Date
You can plan a date that they will remember. The key is to make sure it’s something they enjoy and can afford to do with you. It will be all the more memorable if you go out of your way to do something they wouldn’t normally do. And if they appreciate it, then you’re halfway there.
Get Something to Remind Them of Their Trip
Get something you know they will use and remind them of their trip when they get home. For example, if they went to Paris, you could get them a pillow with the Eiffel Tower. Or if they went to South Africa, you can get them glasses with the big five.
Take Photos of the Things They Love Most in Town While They Are Gone
You can take photos of the things you love about your friend, town, home, family, and pets. You may want to do this with friends to be more fun and less stressful for everyone involved. They can then take it with them on their next vacation.
Take Them Out to Eat at One of Their Favorite Restaurants
If your friend loves to eat out, taking them to one of their favorite restaurants is a great idea. They will love the surprise and appreciate the thoughtfulness.
Taking them to a restaurant they haven’t been to can also be fun. You’ll try something new, and your friend will get some good food for free. If you’re feeling extra generous, this could be an excellent opportunity to treat yourself.
If your friend is picky about where they eat or has a lot of restaurants on their “favorites” list, consider getting them gift cards instead. That way, they’ll have no trouble picking out exactly what they want while still getting treated by you.
Keep It Fun
If you’re friends with someone who recently went on an overseas trip, there are a few things that you can do to show them how much they mean to you. These creative ways to surprise your friend from a vacation overseas will show that you care about their well-being and appreciate their new experiences while away.
Remember that this should be fun for both of you. You should never make them feel bad about going away in the first place or try and guilt trip them into coming back early by being overly dramatic about it.
Conclusion
We hope these ideas have helped you think about how to surprise your friend. With each one of these options, you can find something that fits their personality and interests but also shows that their trip was special to you.
