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Make a Surprise Party a Sure Success

     Surprise parties can take a little extra work, but they are a whole lot of fun. The amazed look on the guest of honor's face is worth the effort. To pull off a surprise party, event planner Robin Kring, author of "Memorable Milestone Birthdays" (Meadowbrook Press), has these tips:

• If you live with the honoree, send invitations, prepare food, and make decorations at a friend's house. Or let the honoree help, but let him or her think the party is for someone else.


• Hold the party a few days before or after the celebrated occasion. Or throw the party at a non-traditional hour, such as early in the morning.


• You'll need a convincing reason to get the honoree out of the house if the party is going to take place there. Remember, you need to be gone long enough for people to decorate, set up refreshments, and arrive. If you hold the party at another site, tell the guest of honor you're heading to a made-up celebration.


• Bring the surprise party to the honoree. Have friends gather food, gifts, and decorations and show up at the honoree's house as a group.


• Make sure you write "It's a Surprise!" prominently on the invitations. You can also call guests before sending the invitations to let them know ahead of time.


• Ask guests not to park their cars near the party site. It's no fun to tip off the honoree by having him or her recognize the cars. If it happens, go through with the surprise because they may not have time to understand why everyone's cars are parked on the same street!


• Videotape the pre-party activities. The honoree will enjoy seeing how much thought and effort went into planning the surprise.


• Surprise parties aren't for everyone. Make sure the honoree would really enjoy one.

Courtesy of FeatureSource