Surprise! Five Tips to Shock the Guest of Honor Good
Paperia | November 2014
Love ‘em or hate ‘em – there’s no denying that surprise parties are a lot of fun!
Whether you are throwing a shower for the bride or mommy-to-be, or a milestone birthday bash, there are a number of things you can do to help ensure your guest arrives without even a hint of suspicion.
Pre-date the party: If your husband’s 50th birthday is in November, have the party in October – or even September. The closer you get to his actual birthday date, the more likely you would be to discuss celebratory plans with him. You can avoid this altogether if the party already happened! Also, his birthday will be far from his mind that much in advance, so you will really catch him off guard – which is what a surprise party is all about!
Parking at venue: Whether the party is at a restaurant, hall, or private home, make sure you have the attendees park a good deal away. This is more difficult to execute at a private residence, but you can ask neighbors to borrow driveway space, or even consider hiring a valet company for the evening. At a public venue, be particularly careful that familiar cars – those of children or siblings with identifying stickers or accessories – are parked furthest from the entrance.
Communicate clearly: Be sure that the word “SURPRISE” is bold and stands out on your invitation. You may also consider adding stickers or labels to the envelope reading “Shhh… It’s a Surprise!” The more you tell them, the more likely it is to stick! If there is someone who you know just can not keep a secret, keep the party plans from them until the very last minute. That way, they will not have to endure many (if any) encounters with the guest of honor beforehand.
Social gatherings beforehand: If you will be spending time with those invited to the party in a social setting before the big day – say going out to dinner – make sure you whisper a subtle reminder to them, perhaps when the guest of honor excuses him/herself for the bathroom. Or, you can pull them aside individually. Life is busy – everyone can use a reminder!
Know your alibi inside and out: The guest of honor will have to think they are attending some sort of a function in order to get them to the party (unless it is at his/her own house!). If they think they are going to someone else’s birthday party, make sure you leave the house with a wrapped present. If they think they are going out for a casual dinner, don’t get too dressed up. If you are always late, don’t announce that you’re ready to leave 15 minutes before your agreed upon time. The idea is to be as natural as possible.
If you follow these guidelines, you’ll have a much better chance of stumping them – and stumping them good! Just make sure you have someone ready to video that look on their face when they walk in, which, after all your planning, will be priceless.
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