How to make your wife's birthday special

Looking for some romantic birthday ideas to sweep your partner off of his or her feet? I can help! Planning a romantic birthday (or Valentine's Day or anniversary) is all about showing your partner how important their happiness is to you.

It's not about expensive dinners or a piece of jewelry you spent a month's paycheck on. Romance is really about how much thought you put into what you do. 

Romance just ain't something you put a price tag on. And for those of us without a lot of money to spend, that's good news, indeed. Below you'll find our 10 tips and suggestions for planning a romantic birthday on any budget. 

How to Be Romantic: 10 Tips and Ideas

1. Be specific.

While everybody loves spending a day out with their sweetie-pie, the most memorable days are the ones where you did something truly special. Is there something your partner loves to do? Or something he or she has mentioned but has never tried? Whether it's spending the afternoon ice skating or going fishing at your uncle's lake house, pick something special that fits your partner's interests... but don't tell them what you're doing 'til you get there.

2. Be extravagant.

This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to spend a lot of money-- after all, some of the best romantic birthday ideas are also the cheapest. What it does mean is that making an extravagant, unexpected gesture always goes over well. Did your partner once mention a toy he or she used to love as a child? Or something she used to love to do? Or something he or she wishes you would do?

In the months leading up to the big birthday, listen to what your partner talks about (such as when they're reminiscing with they're parents) and try to recreate a special thing or a special moment with them. It's these sorts of extravagant gestures that romance is made of. And when it comes to looking for creative romantic gift ideas from his or her past, don't forget that eBay is your friend!

3. Celebrate them.

I think one of the best romantic birthday ideas in the world is a day or an evening spent celebrating the birthday boy or girl. From their favorite food, to their favorite movie, to their favorite activity, a day of celebrating your partner's favorite things is a wonderful way to show them how well you know them. And how much you care. And unless your partner's favorite things are foie gras and race-car driving, this is an inexpensive romantic birthday idea, as well.

4. Make something together.

We all wish that perfect days --like the one you're planning with your sweetie-- lasted forever. But they don't. A great way to seal this romantic birthday in your partner's mind forever? Make something together. Go to a pottery workshop for an afternoon and create something that'll last forever. Or buy craft supplies to make a special object for your home or your partner.



The trick to making this work? Be specific. Make a poker table for a poker-loving husband or boyfriend, or make a piece of jewelry together for a woman who loves to sparkle. Not the crafty type? Don't be afraid... it'll be a lot of fun!

5. Leave home.

If you had the money sitting around in your bank account, you would probably love to sweep your partner off to Aruba. Or Paris. But if you can't, even spending one night away from home --even in the same city-- is a wonderful romantic birthday idea. Stay in a bed and breakfast just outside the city, or even just down the street. Want to throw your sweetie off your trail? Blindfold them and drive them around for awhile before you get there so they don't realize how close you are to home.

6. Heat it up.

One of the best --and most common-- romantic birthday ideas? Cook a special meal for your sweetie. Especially if you don't do it often, preparing an entire meal is a great way to show how much you care. After all, the more effort you put in, the more romance you'll create. Don't know what to cook? We've got some great romantic menus for him, for her, and for anybody.

7. Make extra effort.

Is there something you've always wanted to do for your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend but have never had the time (or perhaps the self- discipline) to do it? Well, now's the time. If the idea of an activity or a gift means you'll have to spend hours researching or months slowly working away at something, it's just the kind of gift you want to give. Because your effort is the best way to show your partner how much they mean to you.

8. Make a sacrifice.

The best romantic birthday ideas all revolve around doing something to emphasize what your partner's happiness means to you. And the best way to do just that is to make a sacrifice. Is there's something your partner loves that you just hate to do? Or a chore that he or she would love done, but you've never wanted to do it? Now's the time. Spend the afternoon playing video games together if that's what he loves. Or go to watch Monster Truck races. Or scrub the bathroom 'til it sparkles. When your partner sees that you gave up something you love or did something you dislike in order to make them happy, they'll truly feel romanced.

9. Be there even if you're not.

You can't always be there for your partner's day. But that doesn't mean you can't use some of the romantic birthday ideas here. Does your partner have a favorite flower or a favorite meal? Have it sent to them at work. The more effort it takes, the more they'll see how much you care.

10. Extend it.


Everybody gets one day for their birthday (or for Valentine's Day or an anniversary). Want to make your partner really feel special? Make it a whole weekend, or even a whole week. Spend each day of his or her extended romantic birthday doing something special, and have a whole schedule set up (but don't let your partner see!). Make each day a fun surprise with activities, foods, and little gifts (even if it's just a chocolate bar) that your partner will love.

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7 Ways to Make Your Spouse’s Birthday Special

1. Send your mother-in-law flowers on your spouse’s birthday.


Regardless of the relationship you have with your mother-in-law, she will always be your spouse’s mom.  She will always be the one who held them when they were sad, ran them around to school and activities, made them dinner, and kept them safe.  For that, you can be grateful.  Showing appreciation for her and her sacrifice is a great way to tell your spouse “Happy Birthday.”

2. Message your sweetheart frequently throughout the day


In the age of technology, it is so easy to stay connected.  Send your spouse text messages every hour, email old pictures of the two of you together, and post on his or her Facebook timeline.  Share memories, inside jokes, and the reasons you are glad you are together.

3. Kidnap Them

Plan a get away for the two of you without his or her knowing!  Plan ahead and arrange the schedule with his/her boss.  Schedule a babysitter/pet sitter if necessary, and take the opportunity to get away for the day (or better yet–for the whole weekend!). Fly to NYC and catch dinner and a Broadway show.  Leave the night before and head up to the ski slopes early the next morning for a full day of skiing.  Fly in to see a favorite sports team play or a favorite band perform.


If staying closer to home is more your style, make it a stay-cation.  Drive to a neighboring city and see what it has to offer.  Google your city for fun attractions and be a tourist for a day.  Or just take it slow by visiting new restaurants and going to that movie you have both been wanting to see.

4. Take the Day Off


Make it a tradition to always take your spouse’s birthday off from work.  Spend the day together doing things that “real life” often makes us too busy for.  Go hiking, plan a picnic, or stay in bed till noon.  Indulge your spouse by doing things with them that you would otherwise not choose to do.  Go shopping, watch a sporting event, or simply rent a movie they have wanted to see but you haven’t!  When all is said and done, you may look back on these day-off birthdays as some of the most memorable days in your relationship.

5. Give Your Spouse the Day Off

After allowing her to sleep in, arrange for her to spend the day at the spa and lunch with friends.  Or get a big breakfast ready and then set up some time for your husband to golf, paintball, or take in a sporting event with his friends.


During your honey’s day off, rally the troops and have the kids thoroughly clean the house–or hire a maid service to come in.  Arrange dinner and babysitting, too, so that the whole day is one of relaxing.

6. Favorite Foods


Establish the tradition of making your spouse’s favorite meals throughout the day, or going out to eat at their favorite restaurants. Breakfast in bed is a fun way to start the day.  Take lunch or his favorite treat in for his co-workers.  Dress dinner as up or down as needed to match her favorite cuisine.

7. Celebrate Half-Birthdays


Surprise your spouse by celebrating his or her half birthday instead!  With birthdays, there is an expectation of remembering and celebrating, but with half-birthdays, everything you do will feel like a special surprise.  If your spouse’s birthday falls near another holiday or occasion–like Christmas or a child’s birthday–it is likely that their day often feels a little overshadowed.  Celebrating their half-birthday allows more time and focus, so you can make it all about them.