What Would You Prefer?

hopscotch.

H's 30th birthday weekend is coming up in about a month and we're going to Nashville for the weekend.  He knows his best friend and BF's wife are coming down from Ohio to meet us.  What he doesn't know is that about 5 of his other friends are coming down too.

If it were your birthday surprise...which would you prefer:

- Tell him on the drive up to Nashville that everyone will be there.

- Have everyone meet at the hotel lobby or hotel bar and surprise him there.

- Have everyone meet at a nearby random bar...act like we're going out...and have everyone sitting in there when we walk in.

chrissyvcm

I opt for option #2. With 2 and 3 you get the whole "Surprise!" effect, but if he doesn't really feel up for hitting a bar that night then you have the liberty of changing plans if the friends are at the hotel.

And if it's going to be a surprise, I think you should DEFINITELY coordinate the big "Surprise!!!" moment with his friends.

SarahAndBen09

I agree with chrissy -- the second one.

hopscotch.

chrissyvcm:

I opt for option #2. With 2 and 3 you get the whole "Surprise!" effect, but if he doesn't really feel up for hitting a bar that night then you have the liberty of changing plans if the friends are at the hotel.

The bolded sentence and Ryan do not go together.  Ryan always feels up for hitting a bar!  Haha!  ESPECIALLY in Nashville!

I agree with the surprise effect of either the hotel or the bar we'll be going to.  I'm thinking hotel may be easier just as an overall gathering place.  The only reason I even started thinking of telling him on the drive up was because one of his friends coming down asked me "when I was planning to spill the news"...which made me wonder if it would be better to do it on the way up.  However, if I know Ryan, he'll love the surprise aspect.

 

Kellybeth124

I would go with option 2 because logistically it would probably be an easier meeting place and you still get the surprise element.

luckycooky

I did #3 for H's 30th birthday and he loved it. #2 would be fun but once the surprise in the lobby is over then what?  "umm - glad to see you - I guess we'll check in and head up to our rooms, etc....?"

mbd62709

I like option #2 best, since you'll all be there, it would be perfect!

hawkilady

Sounds like fun - I would go with option 2 - easier to coordinate and you still get the surprise effect.

cruella013

sounds likes a resounding #2   Although I don't know if I'd be able to keep the secret in the car...

Savy _05

i vote 3, it think thers more of a surprise in it, and it seems to me like it might be a bit akward saying hellos in the lobby of a hotel

vhcoleman09

Funny you posted this because I was struggling with the EXACT same issue 2 days ago. I'm surprising DH for his 30th birthday in mid-October by planning a trip to Door County, Wisconsin. He doesn't even know where we're going, but I'm planning to have his friends/family meet at a nearby winery and surprise him there. He'll just think it's his birthday surprise to go to Door County, then he'll get the added surprise of seeing friends/family sitting there when we go to the winery.

So my vote is for #3 because I think it has the best effect, but #2 is also good.

CTbride320

I like #2 also, but I'm going to go with #3. That's what my H's friends planned for his bachelor party, and he loved it. I just think it's more fun . But anyway, that's exciting!!