Mastering 'The Surprise'

Ah, surprises. On the surface, few things seem more romantic. There's the thrill of the unknown. The bliss of an interrupted evening.

Oh yeah, and the awkwardness of being whisked away when you haven't even shaved your legs.

This Glamour blog post about surprise parties got me thinking about the do's and don'ts of surprising your significant other.

For example, if you're surprising your partner with a gift, it should be something you're at least 99 percent confident he or she will like. That ensures it receives a positive reaction, rather than igniting a fight.

When it comes to romantic surprises, my biggest "don't" is anything that involves an impromptu first-time introduction to your parents.

I don't know why people think that's a good idea. Both men and women need to prepare extensively for the "meet the parents" date -- in both wardrobe and conversation repertoire.

Few things ruin a potentially good surprise like this line: "My dad's coming, too."

What's your best advice for a successful romantic surprise?