Okay, I may be generalizing too much when I write this. However, I know not all guys may like these ways to be "surprised" but I have found them to be really helpful for a birthday or just for a random day of the year when he needs a little pick-me-up. Since I have been in a long-distance relationship for over 3 years, gifts are easy to be kept a secret, but it never gets old when I Skype my best friend and he opens the package I sent.

I love surprises in general, but here are some specific ways to put a smile on your boyfriend's face.

1) Make him food.

Trust me on this one, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. No-bakes, chocolate chip cookies or some other goodie is always a wonderful surprise for your special guy at the end of a hard day. Cooking/baking takes a lot of time and energy, and if he sees that you did that for him, he will truly be surprised and love it.

2) Send him notes

Long distance is pretty much 50% accomplishable because of our postal service (50% is encouragement, phone calls and Skype, and 100% love). My boyfriend and I have been pen pals for a while now and he really enjoys getting letters in the mail. I mean, who doesn't? A personal, written sentiment is romantic and authentic; it shows that you took the time out of your day and write him thoughts and words of encouragement.

3) Buy him something he has wanted for a while

This does not have to be extravagant, it could be something as simple as a movie or an album that just came out that he mentioned he liked. Surprising him with little gifts that he has hinted about for a while will definitely brighten his day.

4) Let him pick the movie

I often pick the movie when it comes to a movie night over Skype. I always pick a Disney film or a movie with no gore or language (I'm not a gore kind of person). However, one night he wanted to watch this historical, gory rated-R movie. I let him watch it and I even watched some of it! Ladies, try this one, let your man pick the movie one night; you might be surprised and like it too!

5) Leave him messages to find

Being 3 hours time difference apart, I am usually the first to wake up and text good morning. However, if you do not have a time difference, a good morning text is always a wonderful way to surprise your significant other and start their day off right. I love being surprised with a text like this, but so does your partner! Also, one could leave a voicemail or a sticky note in one of their jacket pockets to find later as well. Little things like this will make them smile.

I know that these ones are just the tip of the iceberg for surprises, but they are just a way to get us women thinking creatively. Our boyfriends deserve to be spoiled as much as we do! Try some of these and see how they work out!