The Thrill of the Hunt

If your girl (or guy) likes a challenge, a scavenger hunt would be a terrific way for you to present her/him with the perfect gift. The time and effort involved in making this gift an adventure from start to finish will have your mate dying to thank you. The hunt can be simple, with only one or two stops, or as complex as having her/him drive all over town in search of clues. However complicated you choose to make the hunt, this will certainly cater to the adventurer within.

Choose the Gift Item Carefully

If you are going to make the person work hard to get the "prize" then it needs to be something worth working for. All this time and effort for a card may cause the person more frustration than appreciation. Also, consider your final destination. If you choose a small gift (a pair of birthstone earrings, an engagement ring, a diamond pendant, lingerie, etc.) then you will need to give much more specific details in your clues. If you buy a large gift (furniture, a new car, etc.) you need for the final destination to accommodate the "prize",

Determine the scope of the search

Are you going to have the person stay in the house to search or are they going to need a car and a map? If they are going to stay in the house, then it would likely work best to hide the clues underneath everyday things. If the clues are in plain view, they may be found early and misunderstood. Don't spoil the surprise. If the person is going to need a car, make sure you have time to spread the clues all over town, and that you can find places for the clues that are weather and critter/nosy people proof. If you leave a paper clue under a tree, and it rains or gets windy, you will have one very frustrated mate.

Create the clues

Choose a theme for the clues and stick to it. For example, riddles are a great way to send people on a scavenger hunt, but riddles require creativity on the front end. Make the riddles meaningful but clear "Drive to the place where I swept you off of your feet," could mean the place of your first kiss, first dance, or first "wrestling match." The goal here is adventure, not aggravation. It will always mean more if the clues take the person on a trip down memory lane but avoid unscheduled stops by making yourself crystal clear.

Decide who else needs to be involved

If you are going to hide clues in stores or people's houses, be sure to ask the store owners or friends for their cooperation. If a bright eyed "huntee" comes into a store looking for a clue and the store owner doesn't have a "clue" what she/he is talking about, you have the potential for disaster. Also remember, that the more people you involve the increased likelihood that someone is going to spoil the surprise. Choose your posse carefully.

Be reasonable

Two or three destinations are fun and exciting, twenty three destinations are likely to get REALLY old. Keep the number of clues below 10, ideally closer to 5, especially with the rise in gas prices.

Create documentation

Require the "huntee" to take a video camera along, or to take a friend to do the documenting via video. It will be fun to relive the excitement together at a later date.

Be there for the finish

It will be difficult to follow her/him all over town (if you choose a large scale hunt) but it is imperative that you be there for the final destination. Maybe you will be wearing the final clue around your neck, or holding it in your hand. She/he will be so excited to thank you for all your hard work. You will want to be there in person to properly receive your thank you. Take into consideration how long it will take her/him to complete the hunt. It would be less than enchanting if you misjudge how long it will take and you aren't there when she/he completes the adventure.

Want to make sure you do this just right? Download our thrill of the hunt checklist.