Does someone you care about in the near future have a special day that deserves a surprise party? Good. Now it's time for some serious and secret planning. But to make sure nothing gets in the way, you have to be sneaky. The best surprise parties are always well planned, involve only a few people in the first stages, and are, of course, a secret! With these guidelines, your guest of honor will remember this party for a very long time.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Planning an Event
Step 1. Make sure your guest of honor will want a surprise party
There are three types of people, those who don't like surprise parties because they always want to be prepared, those who don't like surprise parties because they feel forgotten, and those who like surprise parties from you. Make sure your party people are in the third category!
However, there are a few things you can do if your party's people are type one or two. If they always want to be prepared, tell a similar story about what they “would do” so that they dress appropriately and know what the atmosphere is like. If they feel forgotten, do something before the day itself
Step 2. Choose a date “before” the event itself
If it's a surprise party for a birthday, throwing a party on that day might be a little tricky to turn into a stunning surprise; the person may have guessed something, especially if you've known the person for a long time. To avoid that (and to prevent the person from assuming you forgot about them, which can also be suspicious), plan something "before" the day, like his or her birthday.
In addition to choosing a date before the actual day, choose a time and date where all your friends can come, and of course, the guest of honor as well. Since this is impossible to know without asking, remind often and choose a time and date when there are no other events
Step 3. Choose a place frequented by honorary guests to avoid suspicion
If you tell your party people that you're going to the most luxurious restaurant in town, they'll know there's an event. However, if you say you're going to the same restaurant you go to on a Thursday night, that will minimize suspicion. Choose a place that feels “ordinary”, whether it's a restaurant, a bowling alley, or a friend's house.
If you choose a restaurant, be sure to make a reservation at least a month in advance. You want to make sure that there will be room for everyone in the party
Step 4. If you want, choose a party theme
An easy way to get people excited about a party is to give it a theme; they can come up with crazy outfits, see other people's outfits, and you can use your creativity in decorations, gifts, and activities. The best part? It can be anything; cartoon themes, colors, holidays (who says you can't wear a bad Christmas sweater in July?); whatever!
However, remember that even if you don't have a theme, the party can still be fun! The party will be more relaxed and therefore less suspicious. Your party person could walk in and not even realize he came to the party for her! What's more, if there's no theme, your guest of honor can fit in, even if he didn't prepare anything
Step 5. Select your guests
You have two choices: a fun little gathering or a big, thunderous gathering. The following is considered:
- “Small group.” It's easier to control, people can keep secrets, and it creates a more intimate atmosphere (easier to make reservations at restaurants, etc). However, this was not very impressive and many people would be sad if they weren't invited.
- "Large group". It's harder to handle and coordinate, secrets may be out, it's harder to secure space, but ultimately, your party person may be very surprised to see everyone he cares about in one room (or may be overwhelmed, depending on his personality).
Step 6. Tell people one by one
The hardest part about surprise parties is making sure your guests of honor don't know about it, people you didn't invite don't know, no one else is making plans with your party people, and no one else is offended by not being invited. To avoid this problem as much as possible, tell people individually, face-to-face, over the phone, or via personalized email. That way the party doesn't become something everyone doesn't talk about that spoils it.
- One-on-one speaking is better for many reasons: you make sure they understand everything, can emphasize their secret interests, and you know no one else is there listening to you. If they have a question, they will come to you, and not discuss it with anyone else.
- Keep in mind that you may have to lie to some people; those you think might reveal their secret. But don't think of it as lying! Think of it as protecting the integrity of your party. Say you're going out to dinner or out, but don't say it's something important. However, say that it's just a few people, so don't tell anyone else. That way, they had no reason to talk about it.
Step 7. Make plans with the guest of honor
No, this doesn't mean, “Hey, there's a party for you next Friday!” This means you make “other” plans with him to save his time; this way they don't make plans that you have to ask them to cancel later. It doesn't matter what it is, just make sure she's dressed appropriately!
Ask other people not to make plans as well. This is where it gets difficult; Even if some people weren't invited, you might want to tell them not to make plans with your party people. Tell him that you're doing something with him for his birthday that day (just a little) to clear his schedule
Method 2 of 3: Preparing for the Event
Step 1. Ask one of his best friends to help you
Throwing your own surprise party is exhausting; this can lead to stress quickly. To help share the load, ask one of his friends to help you with the arrangements. After all, you need someone to accompany the guest of honor while you gather guests!
Make sure the person is "really" close to him. If you choose someone who isn't close, they could be late, make the wrong suggestions, or reveal secrets to people they don't want
Step 2. Get all the supplies, decorations, and food you need
If you're doing it at someone's house, you'll need to control everything from decorations to food to party activities, if you are. If it's in a restaurant, provide some minimal decorations, such as balloons or gifts.
If the party is themed, it will make choosing decorations and food a little easier (fewer choices). Make sure you have some snacks, drinks and, for the birthday, cake
Step 3. Choose a safe place to put supplies
You have to make sure your guest of honor doesn't see the food and decorations. If he opens your fridge and looks at all the supplies, you may have to answer some questions. So keep it in an out of reach location (like a friend's house that no party people go to). On the day of the party, bring everything.
This includes writing stuff too! Don't leave a note for someone where that person can find it
Step 4. Re-confirm with all guests
The night before, reconfirm with all his friends via text message or phone. Don't send e-mail, maybe they won't check e-mail that day. Call and provide additional information.
At this time, you may want to tell the guest you lied to about the "real" details of the event. Just say you want to make sure it stays a secret; they can't argue with that
Step 5. On the day of the event, set the location of the party
To simplify things, organize everything for the party on the day. That way if a party person happens to visit, you don't have to rush to hide anything. Give yourself extra time in case something goes wrong or you forget something.
Ask guests who brought something (such as a side dish) to arrive early, if possible. They can do something necessary, while you continue to prepare
Method 3 of 3: Surprise
Step 1. Have everyone come an hour early to the party
If your party starts at 7, have all guests come at 6.
Some people will come on time. For them, make sure you have food and drink on time so they don't get bored and starve
Step 2. Ask one person to be with the guest of honor and one person with the participants
This is why asking his best friend to help you is so helpful. They can accompany the person, do whatever the closing plans are, then you can correspond with them; they will notify you when it is near, etc. You can control the party and guests.
Make sure they tell you how things are and how far away they are. That way if you get a text message saying “10 minutes!” You will be ready
Step 3. Make sure everyone understands the big surprise
Some people choose to do the standard light-off shock, hiding behind the sofa. Others choose to pretend the party is casual and let the person meet his or her name on the cake. Whatever you choose, make sure all guests know.
Make sure all logistics are completed. Can your friends enter? Make sure the door is unlocked so you don't spoil the atmosphere by opening the door in a dark room. Will parking spaces be a problem? Was anyone in the restroom while the party went up the stairs? Get them out
Step 4. Surprise
And it worked! Your well-planned party has been a success without a hitch! Yes hopefully. Did he suspect it? Even if he does, he will feel very loved and appreciate all the effort you put in.
Tips
- If you don't know what gift your friend wants, have her friend ask for you or give her a gift card or money.
- Be sure to have alcoholic beverages for the age appropriate group of people of honor and trust.
- It's better not to tell young children about a surprise party. Without you knowing, they can run and scream, "PARTY!" and reveal the secret to the guest of honor.
- Ask for help from other friends and family. Doing it yourself can be very difficult and stressful.
Warning
- Be careful that no one breaks things when having a party at someone's house. Make it a rule that no one goes upstairs or in private areas.
- Remember the taste of the guest of honor. If he doesn't like cake, serve him a fresh fruit cake or a layer of Rice Krispies, whatever he likes.
