Throwing a surprise party for mom can be a fun way to show her that you love her and appreciate everything she does for you. Planning a surprise party takes a lot of work, but if done right, it can bring you unparalleled satisfaction. To get started, you just need a little setup, some planning, and the ability to keep secrets.
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Method 1 of 3: Planning a Party
Step 1. Ask permission
Not everyone likes surprise parties and if you're planning to host one for your parents, it's best to ask permission first. In order not to spoil the surprise for mom, ask dad for permission. If that's not possible, try asking permission from a family member close to your mother, such as an aunt or grandmother.
- It would be better if you ask someone else to help plan the party and also give input on what mom likes and doesn't like.
- There are people who don't like surprise parties. So, if the person you're talking to says it's not a good idea, look for other alternatives to celebrate your mother's party.
Step 2. Determine the date
The most important step in planning a surprise party is choosing a date because the date dictates the rest of the party plans. Think about the purpose of the party. Was it a surprise birthday party? Mother's Day surprise party? A surprise party to show mom how much you appreciate her?
- If you're celebrating something specific, like a birthday or Mother's Day, try throwing the party the Saturday night before the actual celebration date.
- Check your mom's calendar to make sure she doesn't have any other plans that will clash with the party.
- If your mom doesn't have a calendar, check with dad or one of mom's friends to make sure the date you choose isn't a problem (make sure you tell them it's a surprise party!)
Step 3. Create a budget
To be able to organize a party effectively, you need to know how much money you can get. Ask your dad, relatives, or one of mom's friends to help plan the party budget.
- Make sure you also consider other things like the venue, food, drinks, decorations, invitations and cakes.
- If you're on a tight budget, think about whether there are things you can do yourself to save money.
- There are several ways that can be done to save costs. Instead of sending out printed invitations, try to invite guests via email or social media. You can also consider “potluck” to keep food costs down.
Step 4. Make a list of invitees
Decide how big the party will be. If you're planning a large party, it's a good idea to invite the following people: your immediate family, immediate family who live not far away, and people who know your mother well, such as co-workers, friends and neighbors.
- If you're planning a more intimate party, it might be a good idea to invite the immediate family with a few close friends.
- Ask your dad or close friends to help you make a list of invitations.
- Make a list of invitees a month before the party's celebration date.
Step 5. Decide on a party venue
Once you've determined how big the party will be, it's time to find out about the venue. If you are planning a small party, consider hosting a party at home or at a friend's or relative's house.
- If you are planning a large party, you may need to rent a venue and it will cost money for it.
- Look for party venues near where you live. If you are a member of a particular community, congregation of a mosque or church, they may be able to rent out space to members for free.
- Make sure you choose a place that mom won't go to before the party. If you decide to choose a place that your mother frequents, you will need to find a way to prevent her from coming there when you are organizing a party. This can create additional complexity.
Method 2 of 3: Preparing the Party
Step 1. Distribute invitations
After setting the date, invite list, and party venue, it's time to send out the invites. Invitations can be sent in several ways: you can create or purchase a physical invitation, invite them by email or Facebook or call them and invite them in person.
- Send out invitations about four weeks before the party date.
- Be sure to ask them to let them know if you can't come by a certain date so you can get an exact number of invites.
- Remind the guests that the party is a surprise party. You don't want someone to accidentally leak it.
- Include a small message with the invitation so people don't park near the party venue. You don't want to spoil the surprise with the large number of parked cars.
Step 2. Choose a menu
Menu choices will depend on the number of invitees and the venue of the party. Some party venues require you to order food and drinks from them, and others allow you to order food from outside or hire a caterer.
- If you're planning a party at home or at a place where you can bring in food from outside, make a list of what you'll be cooking yourself or ordering from someone else.
- Consider having a potluck. This will lighten your load of preparing food for the party. Plus, people will be happy to be able to contribute to the party.
- Make menu choices and order needed food four weeks before the party.
- Decide if you want to order a cake or make your own. Homemade cakes have an emotional bond, but take time to make. If you're already busy with other party matters, ordering a cake might make more sense.
Step 3. Plan about the decorations
Party decorations can be an opportunity to show the widest possible creativity, as well as have fun. Try to make decorations that are directly related to the mother and her hobbies. For example, if you like gardening, make decorations with lots of flowers.
- If you want a simple decor, try balloons, ribbons and maybe some kind of banner.
- If the party is being held outdoors, be sure to create decorations that won't blow away.
Step 4. Also choose some decorations that are sentimental
Since this party is for mom, think if you can come up with some touchy decorations. Your mom will appreciate the decorations that show her how much you value her as a mom.
- Photos can be a great decoration addition for your mother. Hang a photo showing his role in the family. Go through old photo albums and look for photos of unforgettable holidays, accomplishments, and fun times in family history.
- If you're quite tech savvy, look up old movies and photos on your computer. You can create a short film to play in the background, including photos and videos about moms.
- Look for decorations that express your mother's interests. For example, if your mother likes horseback riding, consider decorating the table with horse figurines and using a horse-patterned tablecloth.
Method 3 of 3: Hosting a Party
Step 1. Go shopping
One week before the scheduled party, go buy everything you need. If you can't drive a car, ask your dad or one of mom's friends to help you shop.
- Don't forget to buy items such as glasses, plates, napkins and other eating utensils. You can hide it in your room so mom doesn't see it.
- If you buy a lot of food, don't store it in the family refrigerator.
- Ask a friend or relative if you can leave perishable party supplies at their home so your mom doesn't see it.
Step 2. Try not to be suspicious
To make a good surprise party, you have to be good at tricking. People can often sniff if there's something going on. You may start asking a lot of questions. If this happens, don't panic. Try to dodge and control the situation.
- Try acting stupid. If you ask if something's going on, just say something like, "I don't know what you're talking about." Keep acting stupid and your mother's suspicions may go away on their own.
- Try to distract mom when you're planning a surprise party. If mom has other things to do, she probably won't notice that you're doing something secretly. You can ask dad to take mom to a movie when you need to start decorating the party venue.
Step 3. Think about logistics
Since it's a surprise party, you'll need to find a way to get mom out of the house while you're preparing for the party and when guests arrive. Ask one of mom's friends to help invite her to her house on the D-day.
- Make sure the mom's friend you're asking for help knows that she has to take mom to the party at the appointed time.
- You can also ask dad to ask mom out on a date. When they returned, the party immediately began.
Step 4. Clean the house
If the party is being held at home, you have to make the house look fun. However, cleaning the house for a surprise party can be tricky because you don't want your mother to become suspicious.
- Make sure mom is out of the house before you start cleaning.
- Prioritize cleaning the bathroom, living room and kitchen. Guests tend to come or gather in these rooms.
Step 5. Decorate the party venue
While mom is still out of the house, hang up all the decorations and prepare food, drinks and cakes. Make sure there's plenty of ice in the freezer and don't serve food that needs to be refrigerated until just before the party starts.
- If guests bring gifts, stack them on the table.
- Play music in the background to keep the party atmosphere from being hushed and desolate. It's a good idea to create a playlist featuring mom's favorite songs.
Step 6. Think of ways to expose the party
There are many ways to host a successful surprise party. One way that is considered classic is to have your mother enter a dark room where everyone is hiding. Then, as mom enters the room, the lights come on and everyone jumps up screaming “Surprise!” However, this method is a bit cliché and can spoil party plans prematurely. The dark room looks suspicious.
If you want a dramatic surprise, you can choose this classic way. However, an inconspicuous surprise is just as pleasant for the mother. You can start the party so that when mom enters the room the party is going on. He will be surprised when he comes home to find friends and family members waiting for him
Step 7. Have fun and tackle all the difficulties
Sometimes surprise parties don't go as expected, it could be that someone accidentally leaked the surprise or came home too soon. No matter how hard you plan, you don't have to feel responsible for everything that happens before and during the party.
- If the surprise plan leaks out by accident, so be it. Mom will still be touched to know that you are thinking of throwing a party for her.
- Be a good host. Even if you're disappointed with how the party went, it's still your responsibility to make sure everyone is having a good time.
Tips
- Make sure you delegate some of the work. Planning a party takes hard work. So ask for as much help as possible from others.
- Don't forget to thank everyone who helped you after the party.
