A surprise party is a special celebration planned in secret for someone who has no idea it’s happening. There’s nothing quite like the look on someone’s face when they walk into a room full of their favorite people shouting “SURPRISE!”
Planning a surprise party might seem tricky, but with the right preparation, you can pull off an amazing celebration that will be talked about for years. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to plan a surprise party that goes off without a hitch.
- Determine if a Surprise Party is Right for the Guest of Honor
- Solidify the Date and Time
- Create a Budget
- Pick a Theme
- Choose a Location
- Send Your Invitations Discreetly
- Plan Some Fun Activities
- Create and Finalize the Party Menu
- DIY or Shop for Decorations
- Find Ways to Distract the Guest of Honor
- Time the Surprise Reveal Perfectly
- Ready to Throw Your Surprise Party?
1. Determine if a Surprise Party is Right for the Guest of Honor
Before you start ordering decorations or sending out invites, take a moment to consider whether the person you’re planning for actually enjoys surprises. Some people love the excitement of unexpected celebrations, while others might feel uncomfortable being the center of attention or prefer to know what’s coming. Ask yourself:
-
Does this person typically enjoy surprises?
-
Have they ever mentioned wanting or not wanting a surprise party?
-
Do they get anxious in unexpected social situations?
If unsure, check with their close friends or family members. Remember that the goal is to make them happy, not uncomfortable. If you decide a full surprise isn’t right, consider a “semi-surprise” where they know about the party but not all the details or who’s attending.
2. Solidify the Date and Time
You’ll need to find a slot when the guest of honor is available without making the guest of honor suspicious. You can:
-
Choose a date close to (but not necessarily on) their actual birthday if it’s a birthday celebration
-
Consider their regular schedule and when they’re typically free
-
Have a believable cover story ready for why they need to be at a specific place
-
If possible, get access to their calendar or enlist the help of someone who knows their schedule well
Weekends often work best for most people, but a surprise on a weekday evening can be easier to pull off since it might seem less suspicious.
3. Create a Budget
Like any event, surprise parties can range from simple gatherings to elaborate affairs. Setting a clear budget early will help guide your other decisions. Your budget should cover:
-
Venue cost (if not hosting at home)
-
Food and drinks
-
Decorations
-
Activities or entertainment
-
Party favors and goodie bags
If you have a tight budget, consider hosting at home, making it a potluck where guests bring dishes, or focusing on a few high-impact decorations rather than various small items. Remember that some of the most memorable surprise parties are special because of the people and the sentiment, not because of the fancy decorations or expensive food.
4. Pick a Theme
A great theme can tie your whole surprise party together and make it extra special for the guest of honor. Choose a surprise party theme that reflects their personality, interests, or a significant milestone.
For example, if you’re planning a surprise birthday party for someone who loves traveling and is turning 30, you might do an “Around the World” theme with international foods and decorations from places they’ve visited or want to visit.
If they’re celebrating a golden birthday (when they turn the same age as their birthdate), you can incorporate gold into everything from invitations to cake.
5. Choose a Location
The venue plays a big role in keeping the surprise under wraps while accommodating all your guests. A few options include:
-
Their home
-
Your home or another friend’s place
-
A favorite restaurant with a private room
-
Community centers or rental halls
-
Parks or outdoor spaces
When choosing a location, consider how many people you’re inviting and how you can naturally get the guest of honor there. Whatever location you choose, make sure you have a plan for getting everyone there and hidden before the guest of honor arrives.
6. Send Your Invitations Discreetly
Invitations for surprise parties need to emphasize secrecy. Be clear about the surprise element and what time guests should arrive. Digital invites through email, private social media events, or messaging apps often work best for surprise birthday parties since they’re private and don’t risk being found by the guest of honor.
7. Plan Some Fun Activities
While the surprise itself is exciting, you’ll want to have some activities planned for after the big reveal. Good surprise party ideas include:
-
A slideshow or video compilation of memories
-
Games that match your theme or the guest of honor’s interests
-
A photo booth with props
-
Dancing if space allows
-
An activity the guest of honor enjoys
For instance, you might include heart-shaped crafts or a romantic movie for a Valentine's Day party theme. For a Fall birthday celebration, consider seasonal games like apple bobbing or pumpkin decorating.
8. Create and Finalize the Party Menu
Food and drinks are essential for any good party. Your party menu can be as simple or elaborate as your budget and venue allow, ranging from finger foods and appetizers to a buffet-style meal and catering if the budget allows.
Don’t forget the cake or dessert! Birthday cookies or custom cookie cakes can be great alternatives to traditional cake, especially for casual gatherings.
Make sure to account for any dietary restrictions, and plan how you’ll keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold if you’re setting everything up in advance.
9. DIY or Shop for Decorations
Decorations set the mood and make the venue festive. Choose items that create a wow factor when the guest of honor walks in, such as a banner, balloons, table centerpieces, and themed decorations.
If you’re crafty, DIY decorations can save money and add a personal touch. Otherwise, party supply stores, online retailers, and dollar stores offer plenty of affordable options.
10. Find Ways to Distract the Guest of Honor
Getting the guest of honor to the party location without suspicion is often the trickiest part of the whole plan. You’ll need a convincing story and possibly an accomplice. A few surprise party ideas for distracting the guest of honor include:
-
Having a close friend invite them to dinner, a movie, or shopping
-
Planning a “small” gathering that seems completely unrelated to their birthday
-
Creating a fake work event or meeting, if appropriate
-
Asking them to help you with something at the party location
The goal is to make your cover story as believable as possible.
11. Time the Surprise Reveal Perfectly
The moment of surprise is what everyone’s been waiting for. Plan exactly how it will happen for maximum impact. A few popular reveal options include:
-
Turning off the lights and turning them back on when the guest of honor walks through the door, with everyone shouting, “Surprise!”
-
Having guests hide and jump out when the guest of honor arrives
-
Leading the guest of honor into a seemingly empty room that suddenly fills with people
-
Having them “accidentally” discover the party
Ready to Throw Your Surprise Party?
Planning a surprise party takes work, but seeing the joy and excitement on someone’s face makes it all worthwhile. Remember that the best surprise parties come from knowing what the guest of honor would truly enjoy and creating an experience that feels personal to them.
Whether organizing an intimate gathering or a big bash, focus on the details that will make your loved one feel special. And don’t forget that delicious treats like cookies and brownies from Mrs. Fields® can make any celebration even sweeter.