Is there an important event that involves a person you love and who deserves a surprise party? Fantastic, here's your chance to get organized seriously and above all in secret. But make sure you think about everything, whatever snags you might find. A successful surprise party involves only a few people in the early stages of the organization and above all absolute secrecy. Thanks to this tutorial your guest of honor will remember the party for a long, long time.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planning the Event
Step 1. Make sure the birthday boy likes surprise parties
There are three categories of people: those who don't like surprises because they want to have everything under control, those who don't appreciate them because they believe they have been forgotten, and those who go crazy for surprise parties. Make sure the birthday boy falls into the third group!
However, if the birthday boy is in the first or second group, you still have a couple of solutions available. If he wants to have everything under control at all times, tell him that you need to go to a certain place for a certain occasion so that he gets dressed and is in the right mood. If, on the other hand, it is someone who believes they have been forgotten, plan something in advance
Step 2. Choose a date prior to the event
If it's a birthday party, it's unlikely to be a real surprise if it takes place right on the birthday, especially if you've known the birthday party for a long time. To prevent this from happening (and that the person thinks you have forgotten about them, which would make them suspicious), plan the party a little in advance.
In addition to this detail, remember to choose a day when all the friends of the birthday boy are free and can participate (and the birthday boy too!). Since it is impossible to know a person's commitments without asking, try to increase the chances that everyone can participate by giving plenty of notice and choosing a date / time when you are sure there are no other commitments
Step 3. Choose a place that the birthday boy usually goes to to avoid suspicion
If you tell him that you are going to the best restaurant in town, he will understand that something is organized. On the other hand, if you tell him that you are going to the usual restaurant on a Thursday night, then the suspicions will be minimal. Pick a place that looks "normal" to your habits, be it a restaurant, bowling alley, or a friend's house.
If you have decided on a restaurant, remember to book in advance. You have to be sure there is room for everyone
Step 4. If you wish, choose a theme for the party
One way to get people excited about the idea of a party is to pick a theme, so guests can dress extravagantly and you can indulge yourself with decorations, gifts and games. Do you know what is best? There are no limits! You can throw a party inspired by cartoons, a color, a holiday (why not throw a party in June with the worst Christmas sweater?).
However, remember that even if there is no theme, your party will still be great! It will be informal and for this reason it will not arouse suspicion. The guest of honor may even be at the party and not realize it's just for him! Plus, if there's no theme, the birthday boy won't feel out of place as he's not prepared
Step 5. Choose the guests
You have two options: party for a few close friends or ocean party! Here's what to consider:
- Small group. It's easier to manage, people will keep it a secret, and the atmosphere will be more intimate (the restaurant will be easier to book and so on). However, the impact is more subtle, and some people may be offended that they were not invited.
- Large group. It is more difficult to manage and coordinate, a few words could leak, finding the right place is challenging, but, in the end, the birthday boy will be thrilled to find all the people who love him in the same room (or overwhelmed, it depends on the character).
Step 6. Talk to invitees individually
The most complex part of a surprise party is not to be discovered by the guest of honor, not to let people know you don't want to invite, that no one else is organizing something with the birthday boy, and that no one gets offended if they can't attend. To avoid these inconveniences, as much as possible, talk to each one individually, in person, on the phone or by sending a private email. In this way there is no risk that a large group of people will talk about it with the risk of blurting everything out.
- A face-to-face chat is best for a number of reasons: you are certain that the guests have understood everything, you can emphasize the importance of keeping it a secret, and you are sure that no one else is listening. If the guests have any questions, they will come to you without asking around.
- Remember that you will have to lie to some people, the ones who cannot keep the secret. But don't think of this as a lie! You're just protecting the success of the party. You can tell these people that you are going out for dinner or an evening, but don't give the whole background. However, remind them that there will be few people so you don't run the risk of them talking to others.
Step 7. Get organized with the guest of honor
This doesn't mean saying, "Hey, there's a party for you next Friday!". You have to pretend that you have other "plans" so that he keeps himself free for the occasion, so you can be sure that he won't make any more appointments that you will have to ask him to cancel. So it doesn't matter what you tell him, just make sure he dresses appropriately!
Ask other people not to organize other engagements with the birthday boy. This is a bit tricky part; even if someone has not been invited to the party, you must ask them not to fix other projects with the guest of honor. Let him know that you are planning something special (just a small event) so that he keeps the agenda free
Part 2 of 3: Prepare for the Event
Step 1. Get some of the birthday boy's best friends to help you
Organizing a surprise party all by yourself is a very tiring and stressful thing. To divide up the responsibilities, ask a few friends to cooperate with the preparatory phase. Plus, you'll need someone to stay with the birthday boy while you receive guests.
Make sure they are people close to the guest of honor. If you choose helpers who aren't really interested in the birthday boy, they may give you the wrong suggestions or talk to people who shouldn't know about the party
Step 2. Buy everything you need, decorations and food
If the party is going to be held at someone's home, you have to worry about everything from decorations, to food, to games. If it will be held in a restaurant, provide some decorations such as balloons or streamers.
If the party is themed, the choice of foods and decorations will be a little easier. Make sure there are appetizers, drinks and, if it's a birthday, cake
Step 3. Find a safe place to collect everything you need
The problem is that the guest of honor doesn't have to see the food or the decorations. If he opens the refrigerator and sees that it is overcrowded, he will probably ask you questions. Then find a safe place (such as a friend's house) to store everything you need at the party and take it to the party venue the same day.
This also includes mail / correspondence. Don't leave a message for a guest where the birthday boy can find him
Step 4. Ask the guests for confirmation of their presence
The night before, call friends and all partygoers for the latest details and confirmations. Do not send emails, the guests may not read them until the next day. Call and report any additional information to them.
At the same time, you must inform the guests you told "half truths" of the true purpose of the evening and of course all the details. Remind them that you just wanted to make sure you are keeping it a secret and that there is no need to get mad about it
Step 5. Prepare the venue on the day of the party
To make things easier, make sure everything is ready the same day. This way, if the birthday boy arrives suddenly, you won't have to struggle to hide everything. Take some extra time to make sure you haven't forgotten anything or to deal with any unexpected events.
Guests who have to bring something (like dishes) need to arrive early if they can. They may also need to run some errands while you set up the environment
Part 3 of 3: The Surprise
Step 1. Have the guests arrive an hour before the guest of honor
If the party starts at 7pm, ask for everyone to be on site at 6pm. People always arrive late to parties; in this way you are sure that by 18.30 everyone will be present and you can organize the surprise.
Only a few people will be on time, make sure you have food and drinks ready for them so they don't get bored or hungry
Step 2. Have one person with the guests and one with the birthday boy
This is why the best friends of the guest of honor should help you. They can stay with the birthday boy and entertain him while you can communicate with them, they will let you know where they are and if they are approaching the place of the party; in the meantime you can manage the party and the guests.
Make sure they tell you what they are doing and how far away they are. This way you can warn guests that there are "10 minutes" left before the birthday boy arrives and prepare the surprise
Step 3. Make sure everyone knows how the reception will take place
Some prefer the classic lights out and all guests hidden behind the sofa. Others pretend that it is a normal party and the guest of honor will understand that it is a party for him only when he sees his name on the cake. Whatever you choose, make sure your "accomplices" are well informed.
Think of all the logistical details. Can the birthday boy enter the room? The door doesn't have to be locked or else you'll have to grope around a dark room to open it. Could parking be a problem? Has anyone stayed in the bathroom while the guest of honor is walking up the stairs? Get it out now
Step 4. Surprise the birthday boy
Your well-organized party was a success! Hopefully… the guest of honor was expecting it? Even if he does, he will appreciate all the efforts you have made to make him feel loved.
Advice
- If you don't know what to give to the birthday boy, ask a friend to inquire about his preferences or just get a gift certificate.
- Be sure to offer drinks that are appropriate for the birthday and culture of the birthday boy.
- It would be better not to inform the children of the surprise party. They could screw it up by exposing your plans to the birthday boy.
- Get help from friends and family. Thinking about everything is difficult and stressful.
Warnings
- If the event takes place at someone else's home, make sure no one does any harm. Establish precise rules regarding access to the various rooms (for example, no one can go to the first floor or to the private rooms).
- Take into account the preferences of the birthday boy. If you don't particularly like traditional cakes, choose a fruit tart, ice cream cake or some type of alternative dessert.
