Surprise Parties
User:kendra67 @timeAndDate(1265401590)Kendra Elise H
Your To-Do List
You need to figure out the Who, What, Where, When and How of your party to get you started. Planning for a surprise party is more difficult than a regular party because you need to act as the voice of the GOH. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or graduation, it is up to you as the party planner to steer this fest in the right direction. You have chosen to take charge of the party planning details because it seems that you are the closest one to the GOH, so you know his/her likes and dislikes best. You have the difficult task of satisfying both the GOH and his/her guests, delegating what he/she will want to do and who he/she will want to celebrate with. So pull on your most creative thinking cap and get ready for an adventurous ride.
What
Before you can even make a guest list or determine the venue, you need to decide what kind of party you (and ultimately the GOH) want to have.
* Will this be a wholesome family gathering or one just for friends, complete with
drinks,
adult games and inappropriate stories? You need to know this before you call up Grandma to join in on the festivities.
* To help you decide, take into consideration what the GOH likes to do. Does s/he like to dance all night long to the loud sounds of
soft jazz and drinking a few glasses of
wine? Determine this; then you can move on to choosing the perfect theme.
* Party theme ideas include an intimate or large
picnic, a gathering at a special venue (theater, ice skating rink, restaurant/lounge, strip club), or a good clean (or dirty) dance party.
Who
Now that you have determined what kind of party you plan on throwing, now you can begin to build a guest list.
* You can start by reviewing the GOH's
invitations.
* The worst thing you can do at this point is talk about the party too much. Word of the party should be passed along strictly via invitation. Too many people talking about it could lead to a leakand untimely disclosure of the party plans to the GOH.
* When sending out invitations, be sure to include that it is a '''surprise '''in a very prominent place. Also, make sure to be very specific about where and when the guests should arrive, but also when the GOH is to arrive, so tardy party guests can get a sense of when not to show up. (You wouldn't want late party guests straggling in at the same time as the GOH!)
Where/When
Are you looking to rent out a hall or do you want to keep it fairly simple and setup in the backyard? Either way, the location of this party is just as crucial as who's going to be there.
* Sneak a peak at the GOHs
calendar or
planner to get an idea of when s/he will be available; then consult with friends so that you are aware of a general time frame that is best to throw the party. You don't want an empty party, so it is crucial to know guests are available to come as well!
* It is important to include details about attire (check out our guide for finding
Executing the Surprise
This is the fun part. After weeks of planning and goodawaited look on the GOH's face when you all jump out and scream "SURPRISE!"
Appropriate Occasions for a Surprise Party
Not every occasion is surprisereceived.
Related Guides
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*
Bachelorette Parties
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Party Gifts
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Event Planning
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Party Outfits for Women
