Throwing a surprise party is always exciting. You get to plan a perfect event for someone right under their noses! Then, on the day of the party, you get to watch their face light up when they realize how much thought and effort has been put into their big day.
Of course, it’s easy to get surprise parties wrong. They can quickly end up being a little lackluster if not enough effort is put into the planning stage, for example. Then, there is the risk of the birthday guest finding out, ruining the entire surprise. That’s why preparing well in advance is such a good idea – if you want to give your loved one the surprise of a lifetime, use these seven secrets.
1. Pick a Distraction
One of the hardest things about planning a surprise birthday party is keeping it all under wraps. What if the birthday guest finds out in advance? To avoid this, you must come up with a good distraction, especially during the biggest planning stages. For example, you could get a friend or a family member to take them to dinner while you decorate.
2. Food that the Birthday Guest Loves
Giving food is a great way of showing love. If you want to go above and beyond with the surprise party, include amazing food that the main guest loves. Do they love seafood? Perhaps do a sushi platter. Are they into interesting foods from around the world? Try rotating plates that include different cuisines. If you want to go the extra mile, hire event catering services that offer high-quality, delicious food. They will love it!
3. Make a Surprise Party Chat or Group
Social media is your friend here. You want your birthday guest to have all the people they love there at the party, so create a group chat to invite everybody. Don’t forget to make it extremely clear that it is a surprise party so nobody spills the secret!
4. Pick a Theme Related to the Birthday Guest
Party themes are always fun. To make the surprise party more special, choose a theme that relates to the birthday guest. For example, you could pick Hollywood glamour if they are a huge movie buff!
5. Make it Magical with Decorations
Every party needs some decoration to make it extra special. There are many ways you could decorate. If throwing a surprise party in a house, you could include banners and balloons. If you’re using a specific venue, check to see if the venue offers decorating services to help you out. If you’re on a budget, consider DIY birthday decorations.
6. Locate Special Guests
The best surprise parties have a guest list that includes people the birthday guest absolutely loves. You might not know everyone who would fit on this list, so start talking to people the birthday person knows to learn who you should invite. Going the extra mile and inviting an old childhood friend or a family member they haven’t seen in a long time will make the day even more special.
7. Ensure the Birthday Guest Enjoys Surprises
This one is important but often forgotten. Yes – many people love a surprise, but that’s not true of everyone. You should only ever throw a surprise party for someone when you know they will actually enjoy it. If the planning becomes too stressful and you think the guest will feel anxious on the day, it’s better to be open about it all. Birthday parties are supposed to be fun, after all!
