Q&A for How to Plan a Surprise Birthday Party

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Question

How do you keep a surprise party secret?

Stefanie Chu-Leong
Owner & Senior Event Planner, Stellify Events
Stefanie Chu-Leong is the Owner and Senior Event Planner for Stellify Events, an event management business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and California Central Valley. Stefanie has over 15 years of event planning experience and specializes in large-scale events and special occasions. She has a BA in Marketing from San Francisco State University.

Stefanie Chu-Leong

Owner & Senior Event Planner, Stellify Events

Expert Answer

Keep the party plans off social media and out of text messages. You never know when the VIP guest will see a message on someone else's phone about the surprise party. To avoid spoiling anything, keep the details off your phone and other devices.

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Question

My mom's birthday is in a few days, should I invite her friends without asking?

Community Answer

This is most likely a good idea, but if you don't know her friends well, you may need some help. Maybe ask her best friend which people she thinks it would be best to invite. This way you don't accidentally end up inviting people your mom isn't really close with.

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Question

What should be on my party shopping list?

Community Answer

The list could include: Balloons, snacks, cake, decorations (streamers), a present for the person, and drinks. The breakdown of specifics will depend on your party theme, preferences and exact items to be used and made.

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Question

Can I do it at my house?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as everyone at your house is aware that you are planning the party, and the person the party is for is going to be coming to your house that day.

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Question

What should I do to get the guest of honor out of the house?

Community Answer

Take them out somewhere, like shopping, a coffee, a random drop-off/pick-up needing their help, etc., and then "forget" something that has to be picked up on the way home.

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Question

How can I choose a theme for a friend's party based on her interests?

Community Answer

Think about your friend's favorite hobbies like soccer, basketball, or painting and incorporate these into your decorations, games, food, etc.

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Question

Where should the guests park their cars?

Community Answer

For an ideal surprise party, have the guests park their cars on another street. This will ensure that the surprise party is kept a surprise from the guest of honor.

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Question

My elder sister is turning 17; what can I do if my budget is very low?

Community Answer

Make her breakfast and pamper her as much as you can. Give her a small, personal gift; she's not expecting anything lavish out from her younger sister. Your attention and affection will be the perfect present for her.

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Question

How many weeks or months do you think I should plan ahead?

Community Answer

It's ideal to plan a little over a month before so that it'll give you a lot of time to prepare, and people will have the time to RSVP and you can be sure of the numbers attending. This also gives you time to get decorations, organize the food and do all the other things this article explains.

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Question

What if the "surprisee" is very busy, and can't attend?

Community Answer

To avoid this problem, keep in contact with someone who lives with the "surprisee." This might be his or her parent, sibling, spouse, or roomate. This way, you will know that they won't have plans that specific night. Also, plan in advance. To have as much preparation as possible, start thinking about the party and planning a little over a month before the date.

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Question

What if the surprisee is planning their own party while you're planning a suprise party for them?

Wavysandybeach

Community Answer

Let him or her invite everyone, but make sure that everyone politely declines with an excuse. Before you decline, get an idea of what kind of party he or she was throwing for themselves so you can make sure the surprise party will be something that they like. After everyone declines, ask someone like the mom of the suprisee to offer to take him or her out to dinner on their birthday. Instead of going to the restaurant, have her bring them to the party.

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Question

How do I make someone feel special at a surprise party?

Community Answer

Well, it depends on their age. If they are younger, a crown or a fake throne would be great. If they are older, just give them a lot of attention and tell them how much they mean to you.

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Question

Should there be someone on the look out?

Community Answer

Yes, this is a good idea, so they can warn everybody to get into position and prepare to shout "Surprise!" when the person enters.

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Question

My mum wants a party, but says she doesn't have the money. How do I do it if I'm 11?

Community Answer

You don't have to do anything extreme. On the day of her birthday, act like it's a normal day. Tell your other family members to do that too. Then, while she is at work, put up decorations, and make or buy a cake. Get snack foods and some punch too. Make her a gift, or even just a handmade card. Call up other family members (grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.) and ask them to come over to celebrate.

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Question

How can I keep it a secret if the honoree is home in bed?

Community Answer

Plan the party so it's not in their bedroom.

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Question

What do I do if I fail doing a surprise party?

Community Answer

You can either just let it be and have a good time any way, or reschedule the party to ensure the person will still be surprised.

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Question

How do I throw a surprise party if my budget is low?

Community Answer

Invite people by Evite. Evite has a "What to bring" section that the guests can click on to see what is needed for the party. The host fills in what is needed for the party, and can also give the guest the option to fill in what they want to bring. So put alcohol, food, help with the party, etc. on this list, then the guests can choose how they would like to help.

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Question

How do I find out the person's favorite color?

Community Answer

You ask them. Friends ask each other questions like this all the time, so it shouldn't be suspicious. Or, ask one of this person's family members.

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Question

Where is the best place to celebrate?

Wavysandybeach

Community Answer

Anywhere where it would not be obvious that it is a party. For example, if you said to meet at your house, they might think it is just to talk or hang out, while if you said it was at an arcade, they might have suspicions that there could be a party.

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Question

How do I conduct a perfect party for my sister turning on a low budget?

Community Answer

Get balloons in her favorite color, decorate using homemade decorations and bake a simple cake.

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Question

What is the best place to get cheap soccer decorations?

Community Answer

You can probably find them relatively cheap on Amazon, or at any dollar store or party supply store.

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Question

What if I am planning a double surprise party for my husband's and sister's birthdays?

Community Answer

Tell one to keep the other one away from the preparations saying you are going to surprise him or her and end up surprising all of them when they arrive.

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Question

Does the Dollar Tree have good quality party supplies?

Community Answer

Yes! You can find super cute drinking glasses and balloons, perfect for a party.

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Question

My sister is 10 and I don't know how to get her to stay away. What can I do?

Community Answer

Have her stay at a friend's house. Have the friend do different activities with her that she enjoys and that will keep her occupied.

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Question

What if it's my dad I'm throwing the party for?

Community Answer

Do the same routine, theme it around his likes and get your mom or older sibling to take him out while you get ready.

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Question

How do I plan a surprise birthday party on a budget?

Community Answer

The Dollar Tree has party supplies for very cheap. Use your or a friend's house for a free venue.

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Question

What if someone else is throwing a surprise party for the person?

Community Answer

If you know the other person, ask him or her to team up so you can combine your ideas for the party.

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Question

What if the person being surprised somehow knew about the party? How can I make it a surprise again?

Community Answer

Tell them you aren't going to do it anymore, then don't bring up the topic again.

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Question

What if I live with the person for whom I am planning this party?

Community Answer

Ask a chaperone to take them out the house while people arrive, if the party is at the house, and keep plans secret.

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Question

What should I do if my friend doesn't want to celebrate their birthday?

Community Answer

If your friend doesn't want to celebrate their birthday, then you should respect that and avoid planning any surprises for them.

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