How to Throw a Surprise Party

Throwing a Surprise Party with Ease

1. Before you start planning anything, you need to find out, first and foremost, whether the guest of honor likes surprises. If they don't like to be surprised, going to parties, or being the center of attention, then just stop reading this article. They might appreciate the sentiment and the effort you put into making them happy, but there might be better ways to make their day special for them.

2. Pick people to help that you can trust. The guest of honor's spouse or partner might find it difficult to keep secrets for a couple of weeks. You can let them know that you're planning a surprise party, but they might not be the best helper in terms of details. 
   You will also need someone who can ensure that the honoree shows up at the right place at the right time without arousing suspicion. 

3. When you send out invitations, stress that it's a surprise party. You don't want your guests to accidentally spill the beans that they're "so excited about the big party on Saturday." And when the dumbfounded honoree asks "What party?" then the surprise is completely blown. 
   Send out the invitations so your guests have adequate warning, but not so early that they have more opportunity to spill the secret. 

4. Picking a venue can be tricky. It might be easier to coordinate details in the privacy of a home, but outdoor venues, bars, and restaurants are also great venue options (no clean up after!). 
   If you choose a bar or restaurant, make sure it's a place that your honoree likes so they'll be willing to go there.
   When you need your honoree to show up, make sure you have an accomplice who can reliably without causing suspicion or giving away the surprise.

5. You can do the *big reveal* in a few different ways.
   When you know that your guest of honor is close by, have your guests start chanting, clapping, or singing. The noise will reveal the surprise more slowly, giving your special guest some time to realize what's going on and wonder what's happening without being startled by a big group of people yelling "SURPRISE!"
   You could also do a "reverse" surprise party. Have your guests walk in on the guest of honor instead of the other way around. Watch their smile grow bigger and bigger as more of their loved ones arrive.
   Have the party already in progress. It'll be much less of a shock to walk in on a party already in progress rather than one that hasn't begun. You don't have to have anyone hide and have people shout "surprise!" because the guest of honor will already be surprised to see all of their loved ones in one place.