How To Organise A Surprise Party

We all have that one friend or family member who deserves the world. A fantastic way of showing somebody how much they mean to those around them is to organise a surprise party. Whether it’s to commemorate their birthday, graduation, new job, or just because, gathering together their nearest and dearest to celebrate will result in lifelong treasured memories.

So, how do you organise the perfect surprise party? Consider these tips to guarantee a successful endeavour.

Think Carefully

While some people might revel in the thought of having a surprise party thrown for them, others would prefer to steer clear of the whole ordeal. Consider if your loved one has a history of social anxiety or becomes easily overwhelmed in situations they cannot control - a surprise party is probably not their idea of fun. If you’re confident they’ll be delighted, continue your plans without hesitation.

Plan Ahead

Planning a last-minute party is never a straightforward process, and when you have a surprise element involved, stress levels are bound to skyrocket. Planning ahead will reduce the risk of fully-booked party venues and prepare you for any obstacles or setbacks. Keep in mind that your guests can’t be expected to drop their previous commitments without notice - sending out invitations in advance will allow them enough time to book time off work and organise childcare.

Planning ahead also includes budgeting for your gathering. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of organising the perfect event, resulting in going over budget and spending way more than you can afford. Work out how much everything will cost and, if possible, invite others to pitch in.

Pick The Right Venue

The key to picking the right venue is to consider size. For a large party with dozens of guests, a local community hall might be ideal. For smaller groups, consider a restaurant, bar or any community space that accommodates private bookings. Alternatively, you could always host your get-together at a friend or family member’s home. So as not to rouse suspicion, it might be wise to have a cover story - tell your loved one you’re off for a few quiet drinks or to see a movie.

Make A Guestlist

Hopefully, you know your loved one well enough to understand who they would and wouldn’t want at their party, so compile your guestlist wisely. A small group is decidedly easier to manage, with an insignificant chance of somebody spilling the beans. A large group may be preferable for a roaring shindig, but make sure you can trust everybody to keep a secret. A great way of doing this is to set up a private Facebook or Whatsapp group so everyone can communicate on the down low.

Plan The Reveal

It all comes down to the big reveal - have your guests take their places, turn out the lights and ensure everybody is ready to jump out and shout, “surprise!”. You may also want to provide everybody with celebratory drinks - especially for your guest of honour. Prosecco is affordable and synonymous with celebrations. You could even add a DIY prosecco station, complete with cordials, syrups and fruit.

Consider A Theme

Not everybody enjoys a strong theme, but your special guest might. If you know of something they are passionate about, why not build a party theme around it? This might be a specific decade they’re keen on; for example, the 80s - you could compile an 80s playlist and request that all your guests dress up accordingly. Other fun themes to consider include; their favourite film/TV show, Hollywood glamour and pyjama party - just make sure you have something for them to change into so you don’t spoil the surprise.

Book Entertainment and Catering In Advance

An excellent way of enriching any party is to provide entertainment - amongst other things; this could be in the form of live music, dancers, karaoke or games. Whatever you opt for to complement the ambience of your party, it is advisable to book your entertainment in advance to secure your desired outcome. The same can be said for catering - food vendors and caterers book up quickly. Even if you’re planning on a restaurant setting, you may wish to inform the staff to ensure they can cater for large groups.