Host a Surprise Party
Hosting and attending a surprise party can be a total blast, if you plan it the right way. Whether you've got a close friend's birthday coming up, or you want to have a just-because party, consider throwing a surprise party! Your guests will be thrilled with the secret of it, and you'll feel accomplished at having hosted a successful party.
Steps
- Decide who will be invited to your party. Make sure that they are all clear that this is a surprise party, and that they keep it a secret.
- Make a visit to the store. Buy confetti, cups, plates, napkins, ribbons, and anything else you think is necessary. Tell the "victim" of the surprise party that you are just buying groceries, and be sure that they won't be home when you get back (assuming you live with them).
- Hide all the party supplies in an old trunk, a locked car boot, or someone else's house.
- Have everything ready and decorated before the person or guests arrive.
- Think of ideas for how to thoroughly surprise your little (or big, as the case may be) "victim". A classic is hiding behind all available furniture and leaping out at the person, but feel free to make edits. An alternative method is to have someone the victim hasn't seen in a long time approach them as they enter the house. Behind closed doors in other rooms are the guests. A few minutes after you know the victim has arrived, everyone walk out singing Happy Birthday.
Tips
- Make sure there is enough food for everyone.
- Some great ideas to get the special person out of the house are:
- Ask the special person's boy/girl friend to take them out on a date that night and have them be at the house at a certain time.
- Get the special person's best friend to take them to a movie, play, or sleepover.
- Have the special guest's boss or teacher call them to school or work for a "special project".
- If it is for a kid's birthday, have their parents take them to the mall or school or somewhere (anywhere really) as you set up your party.
- Have great music playing (but only after the special guest arrives)
- Always make sure your guests arrive earlier than the special person, and that they park in an inconspicuous place (not crowded around your house/apartment, etc.). The reason for this is so that the appearance of many cars won't ruin the surprise early, and you don't risk the chance of the special person recognizing a friend's car. Try having your friends park on a different street or down the block.
- Consider carefully whether to include alcoholic beverages at the party, as people tend to over drink at parties. It will depend upon age, and the desired environment.
- Don't avoid them or they will feel hurt or get suspicious...which might ruin the surprise, Instead keep them busy when you're planning and attend to them as often you can.
- Hide the party supplies where the special person never/rarely goes.
Warnings
- Make sure the special guest is the sort of person who can handle and appreciate a surprise.
- Make sure all guests can keep a secret.
- Some people at the party may be allergic to some food so, ask the invitation writer to write in bold type that anyone with any allergy notify the party-thrower.
Things You'll Need
- Confetti
- Towels
- Napkins
- Paper plates/cups
- Plastic utensils
- A computer
- A printer
- A camera
- A special guest
- Hiding spots
