Throwing a surprise party may sound easy, but a memorable surprise party takes planning. Manage some basic details about what kind of surprise party you want to throw and decide what the main stars of the party will like. After making the details of the party, keep the party plans secret while sharing the information with the guests. To bring the "victim" to the party, give the "victim escort" some ideas on how to take him to the surprise party, without revealing any secrets.
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Method 1 of 3: Managing the Party Basics
Step 1. Decide on the theme of the party
Think about what your target birthday likes and use that as a party theme. If you want to throw a party for the kids, the theme might be their favorite toy or story. For an older target, you can throw a party based on their favorite movie. Ask him to dress like a character from his favorite movie.
Keep in mind that you also need to plan food, decorations, and activities according to the theme. If you're having a Hawaiian themed party, throw a party on the beach or go for tropical themed decor. Serve tiki drinks and hand out garlands to party guests
Step 2. Choose a party location
You can throw a party almost anywhere. The party location should be large enough to accommodate all the guests. If you want to throw a big surprise party, you may need to rent a ballroom or function hall. If you're planning a party with only a dozen guests, you can have it in a cool restaurant.
- For example, you can throw a party at the target's house, your house, a restaurant, a park, or any other place that the main star of the party doesn't expect.
- If you need to rent a space, learn about available sound systems and ask about food and decor policies.
Step 3. Choose the date and time of the party
While you can throw a surprise party on the recipient's birthday, you can make it even bigger by throwing it a day or two early. Decide on a time and date that suits most guests, and make sure even the “victim” can attend the party at the time you choose.
- Ask the recipient in advance if he or she would like to get together and spend time with you and other friends on a date of your choice. If it turns out that he already has other plans, you will need to reschedule the surprise party.
- Don't throw a party after his birthday because he could suspect that you forgot the big day.
Step 4. Determine the dish to be served
People naturally want food and drink at parties. If you want to throw a birthday party for the kids, you can provide “standard” birthday party snacks (eg cider, cookies, and cupcakes). For a surprise birthday party for adults, serve up a meal that is easy to prepare and enjoy. If you don't want to bother arranging meals, try hiring a caterer or throwing a party at a restaurant.
Match the food to the party theme. For example, if you're throwing a surprise after-hours birthday party on a weekday, most guests will probably want a "heavy" or main meal. If the party is in the afternoon on a weekend, you can serve drinks and appetizers
Step 5. Make a guest list
Determine the number of guests you want to invite and think about the personality of the target. If he is not an outgoing person, he may prefer small parties with close friends and family. If he likes crowds and likes to chat, you can invite more people to the party.
You can ask other people to help you plan and surprise you, especially if that person is interested in your surprise party idea
Step 6. Invite guests to the party
After creating your guest list, create an event page on social media to invite guests or call each guest to invite them in person. Don't give out an invitation card so the target won't see it and find out your secret plan. Explain to guests that the party will be a surprise for the birthday party.
Decide if you want to ask guests to bring gifts or help you prepare food and drinks
Method 2 of 3: Keeping the Party Secret
Step 1. Decorate the target's residence for the surprise party
If you're having a party at his house, you need to wait for him to leave first, then quickly decorate his house. Choose decorations that are easy to use. Make sure he can't see the party decorations before entering the main party room. Keep the decorations away from the windows so he can't see them when he walks into the house.
If you don't have time to decorate the venue, focus on decorating the main room of the party. After that, you can decorate another room if you still have time
Step 2. Put the party decorations elsewhere
If you're not having a party at his house, you can put up some decorations from the start. You can use party-themed decorations, your target's favorite colors, or standard birthday decorations (e.g. balloons and streamers). Keep in mind that the entrance to the main party room shouldn't immediately reflect surprise so don't put banners or balloons on the door.
Ask a few guests to help you put up the decorations before the other guests arrive
Step 3. Provide the guests with party details
After inviting guests, contact them or provide more detailed information on social media pages that have been set up so the target cannot see them. To keep the party secret, let guests know where to park the vehicle, where to store gifts or food when they arrive, what costume or outfit to wear, and the exact time to arrive (usually about 30 minutes before the big surprise).
Don't share party details with too many people or anyone who wasn't invited to the party. This increases the target's risk of finding out the surprise for him
Step 4. Choose a “companion” for the main star of the party
Find someone who can accompany your target when you plan and organize the party. Make sure he's comfortable with the companion you choose (eg his partner or best friend). A companion can divert and steer it until it's time for a surprise party.
Let the companion know that you may contact him if he needs more time (in this case, the companion needs to spend more time with the target) or take him to the party immediately
Step 5. Plan a fake event to surprise the main star of the party
The easiest way to distract him is to plan another event he knows about. For example, ask a companion to take him out to dinner or an activity. He will not feel suspicious if the companion has planned exciting activities.
- If you want to have a party at home, ask a companion to take your target shopping, watch a movie, or try hiking. Both the companion and the target should enjoy fun activities so that the target doesn't want to go home early.
- Make sure the target is dressed according to the surprise party. For example, if the party is having a formal theme, the target will have to dress for a similar activity so that he or she wears a cool or fancy outfit for the surprise party.
Step 6. Double check everything before the party starts
To check all the details of the party, make a list. Take note of what needs to be installed or set up, food preparation times, where to store the sound system, and so on. You can use this list to assign something to your guests.
For example, ask someone to turn on the lights and music when the target arrives. You can also ask guests to check if the target has arrived
Step 7. Tell guests what to do when giving a surprise
Direct guests to do what needs to be done so no one will accidentally spoil the surprise. You can ask all the guests to jump up and shout “Surprise!”, or ask the guests to hide in each room so the target can pass through each party room and find their friends or family members.
Method 3 of 3: Bringing the Target to the Party
Step 1. Ask your target to help you plan a surprise party for someone else
If you really want to distract him, ask him to plan a surprise party for someone else with you. This can be a great move if you don't have much time to distract him from the party for himself. You can take your target to the party location and ask him to meet you in an unadorned room. When ready to surprise him, take him to the main party room.
For example, if a surprise party is being held at your house, decorate the main room and ask the target to meet you in the backyard. Once ready, you can take it to the party room
Step 2. Tell the target that you forgot something
If you're his best friend and are having fun somewhere else with your target, you'll need to take him to a surprise birthday party at the appointed time. Let him know that you "accidentally" forgot something important at home and need to come back to get it.
This tactic is only effective if the party is being held at your house or the target's house
Step 3. Ask the target to accompany you shopping
If the party is being held elsewhere (eg a restaurant or park), meet the target first. After spending some time with him, ask him if he wants to accompany you shopping or doing something. After that, take the target to the surprise party.
For example, you can invite him to drink coffee together. After a while, say, “Oh yeah! A few days ago I left my jacket at McDonald's. Would you like to accompany me to pick it up?"
Step 4. Give notification
If you're the target's companion, message the party planner 10 minutes before you bring the target to the party. If you don't think you can do it discreetly, ask the host or party planner to assign a guest to wait by the door so he or she can let the other guests know that the target has arrived.
