We’re obsessed with parties of every variety, and surprises are the cherry on top of any celebration! Let’s explore the secret ingredients that create the ultimate surprise party sundae, from keeping the surprise a secret to making the grand reveal unforgettable.
Surprise Parties 101: How to Keep the Secret
The moment the guest of honor finds out about the party, it’s no longer a surprise! Keeping the secret is the most essential part of planning any surprise. Here are some tips for ensuring the surprise stays a surprise:
1. Avoid the Paper Trail
While paper invitations can be fun, they also increase the risk of the special person finding out! They could find the invitations on your desk, or on the refrigerator at the home of a guest! One way to invite guests to your surprise party without getting caught is to create a private Facebook group or event. Just make sure it is only visible to those who are directly invited, and don’t accidentally invite the guest of honor! If you have a lot of guests attending who don’t use social media, try a free e-vite service.
2. Create a Good Cover Story
If the guest of honor isn’t available on the day of the party, you won’t be able to celebrate them! Have someone on your party planning committee take on the role of decoy and make believable, realistic plans with the guest of honor. Make these plans interesting enough to keep the guest of honor engaged and committed, but not so exciting that they’ll be disappointed the plan was a fake one. For example, don’t promise tickets to a Taylor Swift concert only to lead them to your house for a surprise party. They might feel a little disappointed by the bait and switch!
3. Book a Separate Location
While it is possible to host a surprise party at the home of the guest of honor, you’ll then have to get them out of the house long enough to decorate, bring in all the guests, and hide before bringing them back. A separate venue will make it easier to bring together the decor, the food, and the guests without them suspecting a thing.
4. Hide the Evidence
If the driveway or street is full of familiar cars, your guest of honor may suspect the surprise! Depending on your venue’s parking situation, ask guests to park down the street or around back. If there isn’t anywhere near enough for guests to park and walk, you can ask guests to take Uber or Lyft, or have a couple of party planners act as chauffeurs to ferry guests from a secondary location.
Shock and Awe: Making the Reveal Truly Special
The most satisfying moment of any surprise party is when the guest of honor enters and everyone shouts, “SURPRISE!” This is the moment when all that planning, secrecy, and hard work finally pays off and you get to show your loved one how much you care. While all the people gathered to celebrate them are already exciting, you can make the surprise party even more special with some finishing touches. Here are some ideas:
Have with a Fitting Theme
The theme of a surprise party can be as simple as “surprise,” but if your guest of honor enjoys certain hobbies, sports, or pieces of pop culture, you can bring all of the decorations and food together with a creative theme you know they will love. Here are some ways to make the most of a theme for your surprise party by getting all of your guests involved:
- Have a costume party: Have everyone sign up for a costume in advance. Just make sure you also provide a costume for the guest of honor so they’re not left out!
- Theme the gifts: Ask each attendee to bring a gift aligned with a theme that is relevant to the guest of honor. For instance, if the special guest loves to read, ask each person to gift a book and write a personal note on the inside cover. If they’re really into board games, have each guest bring a board game as a present that can then be played at the party!
- Make it a potluck: Take some of the planning off your plate by turning the food portion of the party into a potluck. Brainstorm the guest of honor’s favorite foods and have each person sign up to bring a favorite dish.
Having a Showstopping Party Rental
If you want to really draw the eye and make the event extra special, why not include a fun party rental that will have your guest of honor gaping with amazement? This, of course, is where we come in. At Fun Services Midwest, we have exciting party rentals for all ages and themes, from moonwalks for kid parties to obstacle courses for teens and adults. For a formal Vegas Night, check out our Casino Games. Turning your backyard into a carnival? We have that covered too!
If you’re planning a surprise party in the Kansas City or St. Louis area, request a quote and make sure your preferred rentals are available on the big day!
