If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a surprise party, you’ll already be aware of exactly how fun it is and how special and loved it makes a person feel. A surprise birthday party is something that everyone who wants to should get the chance to experience at least once in their lives. It’s a great way to show a loved one you’re thinking of them, and care enough to go through the process of planning a party for them.
If you’d like to plan a surprise party for someone special in your life, then there are some tips you should know and important things you should consider. Don’t worry, we’ll take you through them all. This guide will give you the rundown on why the best birthday party is a surprise birthday party, and how you can pull this off without a hitch.
When you’re trying to organize a surprise party, there’s a lot of room for things to go wrong. This is why it can be tricky at times. The first and most important thing to remember is to make sure to let all of the attendees know that it is in fact a surprise party right off the bat.
Fail to do this, and you run the very real risk of having the surprise element spoiled by one of your guests by accident. Make sure to spell this out for attendees. Whether you’re sending out invites or telling them in person, it should be crystal clear that they’re not to mention the event to the guest of honor.
Another thing that can be tricky to plan and easy to get wrong when it comes to a surprise party is the guest list. Obviously, because it’s a surprise, you’re not able to consult with the party’s guest of honor about who they would and would not like to invite. This can lead to awkward encounters and even to the whole party being ruined.
There are a few things you can do to avoid this fate. You can go back over the guestlists of parties they’ve had previously. Since relationships change over time, however, a guest list from a previous party could potentially be misleading.
The best course of action is to ask their closest friends and family for guidance on who they’d want there. The people closest to them will be happy to help, and a reliable source of information on this topic.
If you want to make the party extra special, then you can plan further elements of surprise for after the initial shock has worn off. For example, why not create a heartfelt slideshow of your favorite memories together, or have a band or musician come and play for the party?
It can be a good idea to add a theme to the festivities, tailored to their interests, of course. Your theme could pull inspiration from their favorite movie or food. If they’re a girly type, what about throwing a glamour birthday party with makeovers for them and all their friends?
One of the most crucial elements of the surprise party is going to be, of course, the surprise! You want the person you’re throwing the party for to be completely blown away with shock, so they should have no idea that you’re planning anything. There are different ways you can throw them off the scent.
First, don’t pretend to ignore their birthday. Acknowledge it in some way, whether that be with a small gathering, a gift, or even just a text message.
Next, you’ll need a believable ruse to get them to the party’s location. You can pretend that you’re taking them out for a meal, or have a third party get them to accompany them somewhere. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s as believable as possible.
Planning a surprise party takes a village, so you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Get their friends and family in on the fun to come up with a decoy distraction. Get in touch with their partner to find out all their favorite foods.
Of course, working with professional services won’t hurt either. If you need to, don’t hesitate to use a party planner, a catering company, a DJ, or a rental space, it’s all going to add to the fun and festivities!
When you’re planning a surprise party, there’s very little room for error. If one thing goes wrong on the day, it can wreak havoc on the whole carefully orchestrated event. That’s why you’ll need to be as organized as possible.
Make sure whichever vendors you’re working with arrive at the event venue well in advance of when the main guest is supposed to be arriving. You never know who could end up running late, so give yourself plenty of time as a cushion. Make sure you have the full guest list finalized weeks before the event itself, and make sure to tell guests to arrive at least 2 hours before the guest of honor.
Planning a surprise birthday party is no small feat. But it’s the effort that goes into all this planning that shows the star of the show how much you care for them. Make sure to follow the above tips if you want to plan and pull off a party without any mistakes or missteps.
If you’re planning a party—whether it’s a surprise or not—then making it a Rockin’ Gamin Party or Rockin’ Glamour Party can be the perfect cherry on top. We’re professional party planners with a fun twist that your loved one will just love. Get in touch to plan your perfect party with us today.