Anticipation or a surprise - which do you prefer?

anticipation causes tummy to churn, surprises please

Another one for anticipation. Surprises catch me off balance and would be over before I could start enjoying them.

I had friends arrange a surprise party for me years ago. My daughter told me, as she knew I would absolutely hate the idea, and she was right, I did.
I casually dropped into the conversation that I would be out for the day..

On the whole think I prefer surprise as planning leaves me full of doubt and anxiety..

I remember a surprise 40 th party. I thought I was going for a bite to eat in a pub with 2 friends sometine near my birthday. I had had a busy day with the kids and just went in my scruffs. Imagine my surprise and shock when 25 friends turned up! The photos show a nice smiley face and an old sweatshirt bought from a charity shop!

On reflection I think I prefer anticipation - I like to know and plan ahead. Over the years I sprang surprise parties for my parent's 70th & 80th birthdays and my husbands 40th. They were all thrilled to bits but equally when it was my parents Golden Wedding we all enjoyed planning the event. They didn't really know what was going on for their Diamond anniversary but enjoyed it just the same. On the odd occasion my son has popped in as he's passed (he lives 2 hours away) it's been lovely to see him.

I've only ever had one complete surprise, when my DS, who lives in Australia was travelling around South America and was supposed to be spending Christmas in Rio. He just appeared through the front door on Christmas Eve. DD and I wailed when we saw him, there were tears all round.

I must say, I absolutely loved it and would love to experience another surprise. I get a bit fed up with organising things for myself!

Definitely anticipation - I really don't like surprises at all

Us and our son am? Where does predictive texting get these things from? That was meant to say "... us and our sons ..."

I prefer to know. Going back to a big birthday a few years, OH had booked a table at a restaurant for us and our son am but suspecting that my parents might be coming down from Yorkshire to join us, I secretly rang the restaurant to 'check' how many people the booking was for. I was right about their coming, and was much happier knowing in advance. The surprise was on them when some time later I admitted that I had known, and how I had found out!

grannyactivist what a lovely memory to have!

Surprises and anticipation both appeal in different ways. I am always happy when I receive surprise visits from people and on occasions when family have surprised me with a party or gift I've been thrilled. However; I relish the feeling of anticipation I get when I'm looking forward to an event or a long-awaiting purchase and I do wonder if this is something that younger people miss out on.

I saved for years to buy my first white goods/car/new furniture - and the anticipation as I got closer and closer to my goal was so exciting. Similarly planning and preparing for things is, to me, all part and parcel of the excitement that is to come. I sometimes think that because younger people often have their 'wants' met quite quickly they miss out on a little of the excitement that comes from delayed gratification.

A few years ago my youngest daughter was having her son Christened when, as a surprise, her sister arrived at the church just before the start of the service, having flown in from New Zealand to be there. Their sobbing greeting will ever remain one of my happiest memories.

I prefer surprise visitors too , but have warned everyone ..... no surprise parties ever again . For my 65 th DD organised a surprise party , I was nearly sick when they all shrieked and jumped out at me

dont like surprise parties but I love surprise visitors ,I dont like planning things ages in advance either ,I like to do things as the mood takes me.happily OH is on the same wavelength

I prefer anticipation and really dislike surprise visits. My nearest & dearest received a firm directive, long ago, that they must never, ever prepare a surprise party for me.

Anticipation for me too as I also like to be in control.

If asked I'd go for the anticipation as it takes me a while to adjust to ideas, having said that on the few occasions someone has been brave enough to spring a surprise I loved it. Oh dear, no hope.

Anticipation every time. Surprises really unsettle me.

I would never want a surprise party, or one I had to organise either.
For a surprise outing/meet-up etc I'd enjoy getting the surprise the day before and then feeling happy, but I'd be delighted with a complete surprise too.

Tee hee - a funny mistaker to maker ...

Guess you mean Christmas. I've done the other as well though. Open to all kinds of worry and guilt

Aaaah ... Christian guilt / anxiety ... Yes, that could be the reason for my user name ...

Reading your last post Imperfect, I'm on the surprise side just because of the worry of getting it right for visitors, even family. My pre-Christmas anxiety starts weeks before and usually leads to a desire to run away!

Ha ha! I wondered if I was being a control freak!

I am a bundle of contradictions though as I do love surprises - especially if, as an alternative, 'knowing' would mean I had added stress re preparation / organisation. The mum in me who has usually had to do all the prep would like some hassle-free experiences!

I'm not a fan of surprises, so anticipation for me.