The Surprise that Started Our Girls’ Trip

One of my favorite parts of planning a trip isn’t booking flights or choosing restaurants. It’s coming up with one little surprise that will make everyone smile.

Before our girls’ trip to New York City to see Bon Jovi, I wanted to come up with something personal, fun, and a little unexpected.

That turned into custom trucker hats.

Not matching hats. Personalized hats.

Each one had a nickname or phrase that perfectly fit the person who would wear it:

·        Director of Fun — mine, because someone has to keep the itinerary moving! Just Add Diet Coke & Tito’s

·        Global Citizen

·        Old Finds & Old Fashioneds

·        Dancing Concert Queen

·        Lake Day Legend

I had them made before the trip and kept them completely secret.

When we arrived at our hotel in Manhattan, I laid all the hats across one of the beds and asked one simple question:

“Can you figure out which one belongs to each person?”

Within minutes, every hat had found its owner. They got every single one right.

That might have been my favorite part. It reminded me how well good friends really know one another. Over the years, we each collect our own little labels, the habits, stories, and inside jokes that somehow become part of who we are.

Seeing everyone laugh as they claimed their hats set the tone for the entire weekend.

Sometimes the smallest surprises become the biggest memories.

Have you ever personalized something for a trip with friends? I’d love to hear your ideas, because I’m already thinking about what I can surprise everyone with next.