Pick a final spot where you can set up everything you need to. Make sure you get permission if you’re going to set up in a business, such as a restaurant or café. You might plan your treasure hunt based on where your partner is naturally headed. For example, if you’re going to start the hunt with your partner at their workplace, you might have the final stop be at home—that way they can follow your path home from work.
For example, if you’re choosing stops that are significant to your relationship, you might include the place where you first met or had your first date, your favorite café or restaurant, and the place where you had your first kiss. You don’t have to create a long route if you don’t want to. You can have a short treasure hunt inside your own home—no map necessary.
For example, if your final treasure is a ski trip, you might include gloves at one stop, a hat at the next, then a scarf, and so on. Try things that have special meaning to your partner as well. For example, if your partner collects acrylic pins, you might get a special pin and include it with the clue card at each stop.
For example, if you’re doing the treasure hunt for Valentine’s Day, you might cut red paper into a heart shape. You could also use different pastel colors to mimic candy hearts. You could also type the clues into text boxes and print them out, then cut around the words. If you go this route, you can also find graphics online to copy and use (which is great if you’re not much of an artist yourself).
“Get ready for an adventure that can’t be beat! To find the next clue, you’ll have to turn up the heat. " (The second clue is hidden next to or inside the thermostat. ) “Follow the clues for a special surprise. The next one is hidden where the laundry dries. " (Clue is in the dryer or on the clothesline outside. ) “To discover your gift requires a little work—head to where you practice your clean and jerk. " (Next clue is at your partner’s gym. )
“You open me up and my heart bubbles over. " (The clue is near a bottle of champagne or bubble bath. ) “Go here if you want to spice things up outside the bedroom. " (The clue is near the spice rack in the kitchen, or at your partner’s favorite spice store. ) “I greet you every day without saying a word. " (The clue is under the welcome mat. )
“You’ve tracked me this far—man, you’re good! To find the next clue, search under the hood. " (The next clue is under the hood of the car. ) “From the very first date, you revved me up. Before you get the next clue, you’ll have to track down our pup. " (The next clue is attached to your dog’s collar. ) “There’s no denying you’ve captured my heart. Look for the next clue behind our favorite art. " (The next clue is behind a favorite painting or other piece of art. )
“This was a night I’ll never forget! Go to the place where our lips first met. " (The place where you had your first kiss. ) “You know I like to keep it light. Go to where we had our last tickle fight. " “Love so fine even turtles say ‘wow’—go to the spot where we exchanged vows. " (The place where you got married. )
This works especially well if your ultimate treasure is a marriage proposal—you can include people who supported you as a couple. If you want to have a clue at a specific business, talk to the manager and get their permission. They’ll usually be more than happy to help and might even throw in a little treat, such as a free cup of coffee at the café where you had your first date.
If you have small gifts at each stop as well, tape the clue to the gift itself so your partner gets both of them at the same time.
You might have a friend who wasn’t around for the planning run through it with you. That way, you’ll know if your clues are too confusing or difficult. Bring extra paper and other materials with you in case you need to change a clue on the fly.
If your partner is starting the hunt apart from you, such as at work, have a friend deliver the first clue to them instead.
You might have your partner text you periodically along the route to let you know where they are, especially if you have a little work to do to set up the final reveal.
