Shhhhh! It's a surprise party!

Before planning a surprise party, ask yourself: Is the occassion appropriate for a surprise party? If it's a brithday, a graduation or an anniversary then go for it but if it's something more formal like an office party or a retirement party i don't think it's a good idea.

A surprise party is a big trick and the most important thing is to make the guest of honor come to the surprise venue without any suspicions!

First thing you should do is set a date! Schedule the surprise party around something that's a routine for the guest of honor so he/she wouldn't suspect anything out of the ordinary.

Make a list of the guest of honor's closest friends and family. You can add some old friends that he/she would be excited to see. Send out detailed invitations and emphasize that the party is a surprise!

After you set the date and invite the guests, you should now plan for the actual party. Set a dress code; keep in mind what the guest of honor will likely be wearing and tell your guests to dress accordingly. Make sure that guests would arrive 30 minutes before the guest of honor and tell them to park out of sight! Purchase party supplies that will enhance the surprise like noise makers, colorful streamers, balloons and masks.

Remember that this party is not about you, it's about the guest of honor so include activities that he/she might like and focus on serving his/her favourite food.

As the surprise moment approaches, turn off the lights, tell your guests to hide and make sure that everyone is quiet!



One more tip: Never make a surprise party for an elderly, a pregnant woman or a sick person with a heart condition or something.. you don't want to be surprised yourself :)