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Writer's pictureGigi

A Guide to Hosting the Ultimate Surprise Party #amazonfinds

Updated: Feb 6



I have hosted a few surprise parties over the years, as well as having been the guest of honor myself on occasion.  Despite some initial nervousness in the planning stages, surprise parties have proven to be some of my most rewarding get-togethers. Once you can get over the fact that the best surprises start with a few white lies, to what I’ll assume is a close family member or friend, you can move onto plotting the party. Once again, surprising someone with a room filled with love on their special day, is just another way to infuse ordinary lives with moments of joy!


Covert Operations: Planning the Perfect Surprise

As mentioned, secrecy is the most important element to protecting the surprise. It’s best to enlist a trustworthy accomplice to help you organize the event. Set the date and have your accomplice or someone close to them confirm your guest of honor doesn’t have prior plans.  Create a diversion, perhaps a fake event or a fictitious gathering, so your VIP is dressed to go out and socialize. With all the focus that will be on them and the countless photos being taken, this is not a time you want your special guest to be feeling less than their best. Be sure to plan every single step discreetly so they remain  clueless. 


Invitations: Crafting the Intriguing Enigma

I cannot stress enough that the first thing your intended guests read in the invitation is that the party is a SURPRISE. You wouldn’t believe how many people skip over the fluff of an invitation  and zero in on the date to cross check with their calendars. So be sure your guests understand the importance of secrecy to preserve the surprise. Do not, I repeat do not, send an invite to the partner of the guest of honor. This is just asking for trouble as it heightens the risk of them finding it. Be sure to include directions for covert parking when your guests arrive so they can stow their cars away from site. It’s also a good idea to give a time frame for arrival, in case a guest is late, this will keep them from running smack into the guest of honor. Something like: “If you can’t arrive at 7:00 PM sharp, please wait until 7:30 PM when our guest of honor has arrived.” 



Building Suspense from the Start

Once your accomplice messages that they are close, have all your guests gather near the entrance and attempt to stress quiet so they’re not heard from outside. Have everyone yell “Surprise” as soon as the door opens or use a curtain or a darkened room, for an extra layer of anticipation. Having your guests burst into an unexpected chorus of "Happy Birthday" the minute they walk in will blow your guest of honor away and kick off the celebration. 


Personalized Touches

  • If at all possible, surprise the guest of honor by inviting long distance friends or family members. Having special people from different phases of their life can evoke nostalgic emotions, making the celebration more meaningful. 

  • Prior to the party, request copies of cherished photos from your VIP’s friends and family. Put them together into a slideshow and play it on a loop throughout the party. Seeing this collection of memories flashing through the evening will add love and nostalgia to the party.  

  • Lastly, decorate a guest book with a personalized photo and the birthday date, and have it somewhere conspicuous so all the guests can sign, resulting in a cherished memory for your special guest. 


Make the Menu all About Them

When planning the menu for the party, design a spread featuring their all-time favorite dishes. If you’re unsure, recruit family and friends to share all their favorite foods. Start with a signature cocktail and give it a fun personalized name. Be sure you have their favorite cake flavor, and adorn it with sparklers and another jubilant rendition of Happy Birthday! These personalized touches will ensure the menu is as special as they are. 


Loot Bags: Not Just For Kids

Consider sending guests home with a thoughtfully curated loot bag. Consider personalized keepsakes like mugs adorned with images of the guest of honor, or a variety of other photo gifts. There's even a custom picture frame where you can upload their photo along with their favorite song! Tailor the loot bags to reflect their favorite hobbies or unique quirks, ensuring each parting gift is a fun memory of an extraordinary day! 



By including these tips and tricks into your surprise party, you'll create a memorable and unique occasion for your special guest. These types of celebrations can be so much fun for the guest of honor, the guest, and if done right, even for the host! After all, life could use a few more pleasant surprises.



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