how to plan a surprise birthday party essay

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Birthday Party Essay

Birthdays are among the most significant days in a person's life because they not only state their age but its also about celebrating an individual's life experiences. Birthday celebrations are essential for all of us, but they are particularly significant for children. Here are a few sample essays on ‘Birthday Party’ that students can refer to for their classwork and projects.

100 Words Essay On Birthday Party

200 words essay on birthday party, 500 words essay on birthday party.

For my birthday party this year, my family and I decided to celebrate it at the new bowling alley that opened in our town. I was amazed with the cool and comfortable ambience. There were 9 majestic rows for bowling. We booked one for ourselves and wore the bowling shoes they gave us. I did not play that well since it was my first time. My parents, however, were frequent bowlers and played very well. They taught me how to hold the ball properly and how to correctly aim for the pins. I was not able to get a strike but did hit many spares. We cut my birthday cake there and my parents sang the birthday song for me. I had a wonderful time celebrating my birthday with my parents.

A birthday should be a joyful occasion. However, it looked like no one had thought of my birthday this year. Nobody showed up to wish me a happy birthday when I got up in the morning. I had no messages or calls from my friends wishing me a happy birthday. My parents didn't seem to understand how miserable it made me to be ignored. My mom gave me errands to run and I was complaining about it the entire time. But when I returned home, I got a huge surprise. All my friends and family had gathered to wish me. They had decorated the house with beautiful flowers, cards and gifts.

The vacant dining table was now covered with trays of spaghetti, fruit tarts, colourful jellies, and crispy chips and delicious pastries. Everyone started singing as my mother brought out a huge chocolate-vanilla cake. I was overjoyed with so much love and happiness. We ended up playing many birthday party games—musical chairs, pass the parcel, newspaper dance. My friend won 2 games and won chocolates. It was a lot of fun. That evening, while I was getting ready for bed, I reflected on how wonderful it was to have such a nice birthday celebration.

Birthdays are a significant part of everyone's life. It makes people feel special on that day and deepens their gratitude.

My Thirteenth Birthday Party

I will always cherish the memory of my thirteenth birthday party—we visited an amusement park. All of my close cousins and friends were invited to the celebration. My parents drove us and took us to the theme park. I was astounded by the sight of the big rides at the park as soon as we arrived. People dressed up as clowns and performed stunts that were quite amusing. We waited in line to get on the roller coaster, which is one of my favourite rides. The ride was incredible. It rose to such a great height before dropping suddenly—it was a thrilling experience. We also enjoyed other rides, including a merry-go-round. Before we went home, we had dinner at a nearby restaurant where we cut my favourite vanilla cake. It was one of my best birthday parties.

My Sixteenth Birthday Party

I celebrated my sixteenth birthday this year. In our family, turning 16 is a big deal for women. My parents went all out and booked a banquet hall for my birthday and invited all my friends and close family members. My mother and I went shopping for my birthday dress. I chose a lilac gown with flowers and glitter on it. When I reached the venue, I was astonished to see how beautiful everything looked. My friends and family had already arrived before me and started singing happy birthday when I entered. We clicked millions of pictures, danced to our favourite songs and played our childhood games. My friends made me open their presents and they were all so amazing. My parents and grandparents were so happy looking at me and enjoying my day. They gave me a beautiful necklace with my initials on it and I wear it everyday. I am grateful to have such thoughtful family and friends.

Ways To Celebrate Birthdays

There are many ideas children can come up with to celebrate their special day. But sometimes, we all get stuck and wonder how we can celebrate our birthday. So, here are some ideas that you can use—

Amusement Parks | No matter how old you get, rides and retro video games never fail to impress you. Plan a day at an amusement park, call the manager ahead of time and make the arrangements that suit your wants. You can get a private area booked for food and beverages.

Home It In | Celebrating at your home is one of the common ideas that always work. Decorate your living room with balloons, photos and banners and invite all your close friends and family. You can order food and cake from a caterer and they’ll take care of everything.

Cafes/Restaurants | Birthday celebrations at a cafe or a restaurant makes everything easy and breezy. You can book any local cafe for a few hours and ask them to decorate it for your birthday. They’ll take care of food, beverages, decor, and cleaning. You only have to show up with your friends and family and have a great time.

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How to Plan a Surprise Birthday Party

Amy has a B.A. in Communications and has worked in a wide variety of industries.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

Stephanie has been freelance writing for ten years and has been published in many national publications. She enjoys writing in various voices and on a variety of topics.

Figuring out how to plan a surprise birthday party is not hard, but does take some additional planning beyond a typical birthday party. With the covert nature of this party, take special steps to avoid the surprise from becoming a letdown for everyone involved.

Welcome Surprise - or Not

The very first step in planning a surprise party is to determine whether the party is one that the guest of honor will appreciate or dread. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning the party and forget to figure out whether it is the type of party that the birthday boy/girl will enjoy. For example, sociable college students might find a 21st surprise birthday party exciting, while others who are introverted may be mortified at the thought.

Planning an Unforgettable 80th Birthday Party: the Ultimate Guide
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A surprise party is a good idea if the birthday boy/girl exhibits some of these traits:

Outgoing personality
Mentioned surprise party in a positive light previously

Skip a surprise party if the potential guest of honor exhibits these traits:

Shy personality
Embarrassed easily
Does not like a fuss
Previously mentioned not wanting a party or not liking the idea of surprise parties

Steps for How to Plan a Surprise Birthday Party

Keep yourself organized for the surprise by keeping a party planning checklist or outline. Include all the pertinent information in this list, including contact names and numbers. Use the steps provided below for making how to plan a surprise birthday party easy.

Pre-Party Steps

Most of the planning takes place well in advance of the actual party day. Follow these steps to plan the party:

Set a date - Casually ask friends and family members about the actual birthday date and the days surrounding the birthday date. Only mention the surprise party idea to a few trusted people who will not mention it-the longer the information is known and the more people who know it, the more likely it is that someone will let it slip.
Consider co-conspirators - Asking others to help cuts down on the amount of work you are obligated to do for the party, but also opens up the risk for outing the surprise. Ask just a couple people to help with planning or getting the birthday boy/girl to the party.
Create a story - The most important, and difficult, step of planning a surprise party is the creation of the story that will get the birthday boy/girl to attend the party without raising suspicions. Consider asking the guest of honor to a smaller soiree or create an alternate event to attend several days after the birthday day to keep suspicions to a minimum. Involve important family and even other friends if necessary, but only those who need to know.
Find a location - The party location for the surprise depends upon the story created for getting the celebrant to the party. For example, if you are planning a small dinner with close friends, use the restaurant's party room for a larger surprise party. Someone's home is another great idea, but think twice before using the guest of honor's home-after all, they may not appreciate everyone in their home without first cleaning it themselves.
Send invitations - Send guests surprise birthday party invitations several weeks before the event. Make sure that the surprise element is in large, bold lettering. In fact, mentioning the secret several times in your surprise invitation wording is a good way to emphasize the secretive part of the event. Remember to have everyone arrive 30 to 60 minutes before the guest of honor.
Gather decorations - Pick up birthday party supplies that are festive and fun. Just because it is a surprise party doesn't mean you cannot add another party theme, such as a luau or even a walk through time theme.
Plan the menu - Decide whether to host a party menu yourself with homemade foods, a caterer, or a mix of purchased foods and homemade dishes. Do not forget to include both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages on your shopping list.

Surprise Party Day Steps

Once the party day arrives, it is important that everyone knows what he or she is doing and when to do it. Double-check your timeline with those who are getting the guest of honor to the party. Arrive at the party location to decorate about an hour before guests arrive and have the food ready 15 minutes before guests show up. Watch for the arrival of the birthday boy/girl and then shout "surprise" with the rest of the guests when he/she walks through the door.

Additional Location Ideas

Picking the right location is a big aspect to planning this kind of party. Consider these places if you are having trouble coming up with ideas:

Bowling alley - Invite the birthday boy or girl to go bowling, or if you have a regular bowling day, consider having the party then and there.
Museum - If the birthday person is an art or history lover, consider holding the party at a local museum and inviting them to see an exhibit or collection.
Football field - Draw the birthday boy or girl to the field by offering to throw the ball around, but surprise them instead with a gathering of all their friends and family. Get permission from the school or area recreation board prior to planning a party on the field.
Campgrounds - Campgrounds are a great place to have a surprise party because the host can arrive early (even the night before) to set-up. The birthday boy or girl may think that they are going on a simple camping trip, but will be surprised when they see their friends gathered. If an overnight location isn't available, most campgrounds have shelter houses and buildings you can rent that are near playgrounds and rec areas.
Hotel room - If the party is for your significant other, make them think that they are going to spend a romantic night together, but surprise them with a party! Then, after the party, resume your romantic plans. Be sure you rent a suite so everyone can mingle comfortably.
Swimming pool - Instead of a simple day of swimming at the pool, surprise someone with a fun, pool party. Be sure bring anything the birthday person would need to feel presentable for photos after the swimming ends (make-up, hair brush).
Limousine - A limousine is one of the best places to hold a surprise party. Have the limo pick up guests before picking-up the guest of honor. Pull up to surprise the guest of honor who will be even more surprised when they step into the vehicle to see their friends inside. Have the driver take the celebrant on a tour of his/her favorite places or even childhood memories!
Sportsplex - Head to your local sports center for ice skating, basketball or soccer and invite the birthday boy or girl to go with you. Invite friends and family to meet you there. The beauty of this type of location is that you will automatically have entertainment options for your guests.
Office conference room - Surprising a co-worker? Book the conference room out for "meetings" and secretly decorate and hide guests.
Library - Many libraries have conference or meeting rooms that can be reserved by phone or online. Tell the birthday boy or girl you need to return some books or have to do some quick research in order to get them into the building for their big surprise!

Keep the Surprises Coming

Don't let the fun end with the initial "SURPRISE!" Be sure to add other surprise elements into the party to keep the excitement going throughout the day or night.

Video slideshow - Create a video slideshow including short video clips from friends who couldn't make it to the festivities and photos of the guest of honor, all put together with a special song. Play the video as a surprise to the birthday boy or girl.
Surprise guest - Invite a long lost friend of distant family member as a special, surprise guest. This can end up expensive and not everyone can travel on short notice, so plan ahead.
Bucket list activity - If you know the guest of honor well enough, you may know of an activity that he or she has on their bucket list. Try to incorporate that into your surprise party. Birthday boy always wanted to sky dive? Host the party near the airport and arrange for him to go sky diving. Has the birthday girl been longing for France? Give her French lessons as a gift.
Performance - If you are a dancer, singer, or performer consider creating a special dance or writing a song for the honored guest and surprising them with a performance.
Epic gift - You may not be able to afford an epic gift for the guest of honor on your own, but consider asking guests to contribute money towards one large gift from everyone. Even that trip to the spa, the new gaming system, or the new car might be within reach if everyone goes together on the perfect gift.
Progressive party - Keep the surprises coming all night long by making your party progressive. Surprise the guest of honor at his or her favorite bar for cocktails with a few friends, then move onto a secret restaurant location for dinner with another group of friends. End the night at a third surprise location for cake with yet another group of pals.
Scavenger/treasure hunt - Send your loved-one on a scavenger hunt or treasure hunt that leads them to some of their favorite places and finally ends at the party venue where all the guests will have gathered for the big surprise.
Gift an hour - Keep the birthday boy or girl in suspense by presenting them with a gift every hour of their party. Start off small, with a small box of candy, and progressively increase the values of the gifts, ending with the most expensive or most sentimentally significant gift of all.
Costume party - Ask guests to come in a disguise, especially one that hides their face, so even after the big "SURPRISE!" moment, the birthday boy or girl will have the fun of determining the identity of the guests. This idea would work best around the fall of the year when guests have easy access to Halloween costumes. If costumes aren't a practical request, consider having guests hold masks of the birthday person's face in front of their own.

Surprise Party Troubleshooting

The biggest problem facing people who plan a surprise birthday party is that the guest of honor finds out the big surprise. If this happens, consider doing one of two things: ask the person to act surprised, or rework the party for another date to keep it a surprise. A back-up plan is an excellent idea for other elements of the party, too. For instance, have extra drinks and easy fast party foods in case you run out, and have a few CD players ready in case the entertainment does not work out.

EXPLORE Random Article

How to Throw a Surprise Birthday Party

Last Updated: September 16, 2022 Approved

This article was co-authored by Natasha Miller . Natasha Miller is an Event Planner, Chief Experience Designer, and President of Entire Productions, an event and entertainment production company based in San Francisco, California. Notable clients Natasha has collaborated with include Apple, Google, Gap, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Salesforce. Natasha and Entire Productions has been awarded Inc. 5,000's "Fastest Growing Companies in America", Entrepreneur Magazine's 360 List of "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America." Entire Productions is also a Certified Women Business Enterprise. Natasha is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 87% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 75,152 times.

Surprise birthday parties can be fun, exciting, and memorable for the guest of honor. For the party planner, surprise parties can be a considerable amount of work. It takes a lot of planning to determine logistics and to organize a celebration, all while trying to keep the element of surprise. With some diligent planning, you can seamlessly pull off an entertaining and enjoyable surprise party.

Planning the Logistics

Step 1 Determine if your honoree will react well to a surprise.

Rule out meticulous people who prefer to know details about an event before attending.
Avoid throwing surprise parties for people who get really excited about birthdays. In your attempt to surprise them, they may think you have forgotten to plan anything and become upset.
Consider whether the guest has health issues that may result in a negative physical reaction to the shock. [1] X Research source

Make sure your honoree is kept busy for a few hours to ensure the element of surprise. A short errand might not give you enough time, in which case you will have to speed up or rush the process.
To ensure a seamless surprise, make sure to organize the party around the honoree's routine. You will be able to retain the element of surprise by organizing the party around the guest’s typical schedule.

Choosing a public venue usually means you have less time to easily attend to details, because space is often rented shortly before your event, giving you less time to decorate and prepare.
When choosing a location, make sure it is easily accessible to your guests.

Natasha Miller

Expert Trick: Put something like "Shh!" at the top of the invitations. That way, even if guests don't read the whole thing, they'll be able to tell that it's a surprise right away.

Making it a Surprise

Talk about their birthday as easily and calmly as possible. This will keep them from becoming suspicious or thinking that everyone has forgotten about their birthday.

Deciding Between Different Reveals

Consider your honoree's reaction before taking this route. Some people will not be happy about getting their clothes wet or having their hair covered with silly string.

Step 4 Make sure your party is in progress, when the guest of honor arrives.

Community Q&A

Keep reminding your guests that it is a SURPRISE party. Be sure to tell them up front so all of your hard work is not ruined. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
When considering the dress code, think about what your honoree will likely be wearing the day of the surprise. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
If the surprise is spoiled, do not sweat it. What really counts is the thought and the ability to celebrate with friends and family. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Avoid inviting everyone just to have a larger guest list. Only invite people with whom the guest of honor will be happy to celebrate. For example, if you are throwing a surprise party for your girlfriend, you can invite people who are close to her like friends and coworkers. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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How to Plan a Surprise Birthday Party: Step-by-Step Guide

pinterest pin about how to plan a surprise party

Having an ultimate guide for tips on how to plan a surprise birthday party is something everyone needs. From figuring out who you want to invite to preparing the food and drinks, there’s plenty to keep track of.

If you’re ready to give a loved one a party they’ll never forget, we have all the must-have steps to follow to throw the best event.

How to Plan a Surprise Birthday Party: The Steps

Planning is the key to hosting the perfect surprise birthday party , especially if you don’t want the event to get leaked to the guest of honor.

Let’s go over all the easy-to-follow steps you can use to begin planning.

Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas

Undoubtedly, knowing where to start with a birthday party would be impossible unless you take some time to brainstorm.

Not only will you want to think about a theme but also the things your loved one would love to have at a party.

There are several areas where you’ll want to let your imagination run wild, including:

Date and Time: The date and time of your event are two of the most important details you’ll want to get nailed down almost immediately. These two factors can influence the rest of your party, down to who’s able to show up.
Location: The location of your surprise party is another essential factor to consider. Do you want to host the party at a restaurant or a water park? Think of places that mean the most to your loved one and determine if the location has space to host a party of your size.
Guest List: Remember, guests are what makes a surprise party entertaining for the guest of honor. As such, you’ll want to ensure you’re inviting those closest to them, including friends and family.
Activities: Everyone loves having something to do at a surprise birthday party aside from socializing for hours. Consider adding some activities into the mix or choosing a location with activities for people to participate in. For example, you can find party games for everyone to enjoy to keep the positive vibes flowing.
Food and Beverages: Undoubtedly, you will need a collection of delicious food and drinks for people to enjoy. Making a full menu can help you properly prepare ahead of time or help you find a caterer, if necessary.
Cake: The single most important part of any birthday is the cake. As the planner, you will need to decide whether you want one baked professionally or if you’d prefer to buy one from the grocery store. Remember, if you’re putting a ton of effort into planning a surprise, the cake needs to be doubly amazing.
Gifts: Even though you’re putting a ton of time and effort into planning the perfect party , don’t forget your gift for the birthday person! You don’t need to spend hundreds on something they’ll enjoy; something small and meaningful will have equally as much impact.

Step 2: Get a Team Together

With all the preemptive planning out of the way, it’s time to start recruiting bodies to help pull your surprise off.

You must choose a group of people known for keeping secrets, as you won’t want the surprise spoiled early. Assigning each person a role can be hugely beneficial, ensuring all planning areas are covered.

A few of the top-recommended people to have on your team include:

Leader (You): Your primary job is to ensure that all your team members do their jobs. As a leader, you oversee all the booking activities, ensure things are completed on time, and help with anything forgotten.
Location Scout: As a location scout, this person is responsible for liaising between your party and the location where you’re planning the surprise. They may have to work with others, such as the food and beverage lead, to determine pricing and menu options at your venue.
Decorator: Whoever you assign as a decorator will be responsible for organizing the decor for the birthday party. From streamers to table coverings, they’ll have the most creative job out of the bunch.
Food and Beverage Lead: The food and beverage lead is the sole person responsible for coordinating the snacks, meals, and refreshments for the event. This could mean finding caterers (depending on budget ) or allocating cooking duties to other planning committee members.
Guest Lead: As a guest lead, this individual is responsible for designing and sending out the invites. They will also have to manage the RSVPs and provide a final head count for the event.
Guest of Honor Decoy: The final and likely most important person you need on your team is the point person for the guest of honor of their special day. This person’s job is to get the guest of honor to your venue of choosing unbeknownst to them.

Step 3: Set a Budget and Decide on a Theme

Your budget will affect every aspect of your party, so it’s important to settle on one earlier rather than later. The cost depends on the location, the attendees, and where you intend to host the event.

Ideally, you won’t want to spend too much, especially if you’re funding the endeavor alone.

Using a budget journal while party planning can be a great idea. It can help you track your finances and expenditures while designing the event. Also, it can make it easier to figure out how to share costs at the end with the other party planners (if necessary).

Once you have a budget in place, it’s now time to decide on a theme . Your theme could be anything from a kid’s zoo party to a luxurious 1920s flapper ball. You’ll also want to consider the dress code for the event, as this should be included in the invitations before they’re sent out.

Most people find that going for a casual vibe for a surprise party is your best bet. This saves the attendees time and money as they don’t have to shop for formalwear.

However, if you know your guest of honor loves everything lavish, semi-formal to formal themes are a fantastic option.

Step 4: Book Your Vendors

With a theme and budget in mind, it’s time to book all the professionals you’ll need for the event, including the venue. Be prepared, as this is where most of your money will go, but it’s the most important step to pulling everything together.

Using the time and date you’ve chosen, start inquiring about catering, bartending, and location scouting to see if vendors are available.

Try to get as many deposits as possible, starting with the venue, and all of your other cards will fall into place. Once everyone is booked, you must ensure their payment is fulfilled on the day of the event.

We recommend keeping money envelopes for each vendor so you can keep your cash organized.

The top vendors you need to book during this time include:

Venue decorators
Balloon Arch Decorators
Cake and pastry bakers/chefs
Food and beverage caterers
Transportation (if required)
DJ or live music (if required)

Step 5: Design and Send Out Invitations

With the help of the decorator on your team, it’s time to design and send out invitations , as you have your vendors and location nailed down. Be sure to include the most important information your guests will need to know, such as:

Date and time
Guest of honor’s name
Purpose of the event (include surprise party)
Dresscode information
Meal information
RSVP instructions

If you want an even more eco-friendly approach to invites, you can always use E-vites, fantastic digital invitations. What makes them even more convenient is guests can RSVP directly through email.

Step 6: Finalize the Decoy Plan

At this point of planning, all of the key steps to ironing out a surprise birthday party have been handled. You have your theme, decorations, booked vendors, and guest list. Now, it’s time to finalize the final part of the event: the decoy plan.

You’ll want to ensure you have the perfect steps in place so the guest of honor decoy knows what to do on the special day.

Make sure you cover all the bases, such as how they’ll make the day seem like any other day. Then, determine how they will get the guest of honor to the venue for their fantastic surprise!

Final Thoughts

Learning how to plan a surprise birthday party is much easier than most people think, especially with a solid plan.

From deciding on a theme to developing a decoy plan, anyone can host a surprise party for their loved ones. The top recommendation is to get started sooner rather than later!

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How To Plan A Surprise Birthday Party In 19 Steps

No matter how old you are, a surprise birthday party is an experience you’ll remember for years to come! After all, who could forget a spontaneous celebration filled with lots of food, gifts, and your friends and family?

While it can be pretty fun, throwing a successful surprise birthday party is a big challenge. A mere slip of the tongue or an accidental glimpse of a party invitation is all it takes to ruin the element of surprise.

So if you want to throw a successful surprise birthday party, you’ll want to come up with a solid plan and stick to it.

No matter your budget or party-throwing experience, anyone can make a surprise birthday party work. All you need is some time, dedication, and a little bit of creativity.

Here’s how to plan a surprise birthday party in nineteen steps!

1. Will They Appreciate It or Not?

While surprise parties can be fun for some people, they can be pretty stressful for other people. So before you even begin planning, you’ll need to determine whether your guest of honor will enjoy it. Otherwise, the party will not be worth the time or money.

Does your guest of honor enjoy spontaneous events? Or do they prefer to stick to routines? Most importantly, do they like to celebrate their birthday, or do they prefer to treat it like any other day?

These are all factors to consider before you start planning a birthday party. Keeping these details in mind can also help you determine the best way to throw your surprise birthday party, should you throw one at all.

So if you think your loved one will appreciate the surprise party, congrats! We can move on to the planning stage.

2. Float the Idea Around

Once you’ve decided to throw a surprise birthday party, you can start sharing your ideas with some friends and family. Try to find people who may be willing to help out later on. And if you’re throwing a party for a child, make sure you involve their parents or guardians.

Be sure to jot down any party ideas that come up while you’re floating the idea around; these will come in handy in the later steps.

picture of 3 women brainstorming party ideas

3. Party Planning Team

Planning a party alone can be a big challenge. But when you have some trustworthy friends to help you out, you can expect the event to be a huge success.

Make sure you choose party planners who are good at keeping secrets. You should also find some creative teammates—they can help make your surprise party even more memorable.

Try to find some people with good connections, too. Do you know a friend who can bring in a magician or a DJ? Or does someone in your family own a catering business? These sorts of connections can be valuable to your party planning!

Once you assemble your party planning team, find an easy way to keep in touch. Consider swapping phone numbers or creating an online group chat where you can discuss your party plans in private.

4. Form a Plan

Now that you’ve assembled a party-planning team, it’s time to form the party plan!

Consider giving each member of your team a different role. One person could be in charge of the food, another could be in charge of the invitations, etc.

In addition, you should come up with a plan to help keep the party a secret. What are the best ways to discreetly pass out invitations? Where will you store your party supplies?

And if your guest of honor catches wind of your plans, what will you tell them? These are just a few different questions to consider while forming your plan.

Careful and thorough planning is essential to a successful surprise party. If you’re not cautious enough, you might accidentally spoil the surprise!

picture of friends planning a surprise party

The key to a memorable birthday party is a theme. It doesn’t have to be anything grand or super-specific—it just needs to tie the whole event together.

When choosing a theme, you’ll want to consider the guest of honor’s interests. So if you’re throwing a party for a child, perhaps a cartoon or video game theme may be best. Or if they’re an animal lover, a jungle-themed party may put a smile on their face!

Themes are important for adult birthday parties, too. Don’t be afraid to embrace your inner child—some adults might love a Disney or superhero-themed party, for instance.

The time of year could be another good source of inspiration for your surprise party’s theme. A Halloween-themed party could be a great idea if you’re celebrating an autumn birthday.

Or if you’re celebrating a summer birthday, you could go for a beach theme! Simple themes can work, too. Perhaps you could base the party around their favorite colors if you want to keep things simple.

No matter the party theme you choose, make sure you choose something you think they will love! That’s what matters the most.

While birthday parties are a lot of fun, they can also be pretty expensive. But when you set a budget, you can avoid overspending. So before you pay for anything, determine how much you’re willing and able to spend.

The food, decorations, gifts, and other features will need a separate budget. Make sure you divide your money evenly, so each area gets the proper funding.

You should have everyone on the team pitch in some money, if possible. This can help ensure that the party gets all of the resources it deserves without emptying anyone’s wallet.

Remember: even a low-budget party can be a fun and memorable one! If you put your mind to it, you can give your loved one an exciting birthday party with mere pocket change.

picture of budgeting for a surprise birthday party

7. Date and Time

When throwing a surprise party, it may make sense to throw it on their actual birthday; however, this isn’t always practical. Fortunately, throwing a party a few days before or after the actual birthday can make the event even more of a surprise!

You’ll want to consider your guest of honor’s preferences when choosing the time of day. If they’re a morning person, an early party could be a great thing to wake up to. Or, if they’re somewhat of a night owl, it may be best to throw their party during the evening.

8. Location

The ideal location for your surprise birthday party depends on the size, and to an extent, the theme.

If you’re having a small party, it may be best to hold it at a friend’s house. For larger parties, renting a venue may be the wiser choice. The beach, a bowling alley, or even a restaurant are just a few examples of places you can host a party.

Try to consider the time of year when choosing your location, too. Indoors is best for wintertime parties, but you may want to make the most of the sunshine for summertime parties. However, make sure you have a backup plan for indoor parties in case it rains.

9. Seating Chart

If you’re hosting a large surprise birthday party, setting up a seating chart may be a good idea. This can ensure you have enough food and party favors to go around.

Arranging a seating chart can also help prevent an overly-crowded party venue. Try to prepare your seating so there’s plenty of room for people to sit, but still enough space for the party activities.

10. Decorations

What’s a surprise birthday party without some fun decorations? When you put enough creativity into it, some vibrant decorations can genuinely wow your guest of honor when they walk into the room!

Balloons, streamers, and decorative signs are must-haves for any birthday party. You can use some decorative tablecloths and dining utensils as well.

For the best results, stick to a specific color scheme—it’ll help tie everything together!

11. Party Activities

Activities are one of the most exciting parts of a birthday party! They can help bring everyone together and create some truly happy memories.

Here are a few popular party activity ideas to consider:

Pin the tail on the donkey
Water balloons
Musical chairs
Scattergories
Egg and spoon races
Trivia games

This list is by no means complete—the possibilities are endless! Regardless of your budget, plenty of exciting activities will fit into your party plans.

Food is one of the most essential parts of any birthday party!

The birthday cake is a given—if possible, try and find out your guest of honor’s favorite cake flavor beforehand. You can make a cake from scratch if you’ve got enough time on your hands. Or if your budget allows it, you could order a cake from a professional.

picture of food at a surprise birthday party

Bear in mind that not everyone likes cake. If you need an alternative dessert for your surprise birthday party, cookies or ice cream can work just as well.

You should have some non-dessert foods at your party as well. Pizza is a classic choice—it’s cheap, easy to serve, and almost everyone likes it.

If you’d like to try something a little different, you could set up a taco bar or a pasta buffet. Or if you’re having an outdoor party, you could fire up the grill and serve your guests some hamburgers and hot dogs!

13. Invitations

When you’re so caught up in arranging the party, it can be pretty easy to forget invitations. Make sure everyone knows about your party well in advance, and ensure that the plan stays under wraps.

If you’re hosting a small party and would like to keep things simple, you can simply invite your guests by word of mouth. But if you’re throwing a big party, it may be best to give out some paper or digital invitations.

You can purchase pre-made invitations from most craft stores. If you’d like something a little more personal, you can customize invitations from online sellers like Etsy . And if you’d prefer to save paper, consider sending some invitations over email or instant messaging.

No matter how you do it, make sure you emphasize on these invitations that the party is a surprise—otherwise, the secret may get out!

14. Decoy Plan

As the day of the birthday party approaches, you and your team of party planners will need to think of a decoy plan.

Choose one person from your party planning team who will act out the decoy plan. Be sure to pick someone who can keep a straight face!

The ideal decoy plan will vary depending on the location of your party. If you’re throwing a party for a child, surprising them will be pretty easy, but if you’re trying to surprise an adult, you will need a compelling decoy plan.

This is one of the most important steps of throwing a surprise birthday party—without a successful decoy, your guest of honor will catch wind of your plans, and the surprise will be ruined.

15. Prepare Food and Drinks

To avoid rushing around at the last minute, prepare your food and drinks well before the party starts. Set up coolers for cold dishes, and turn on crockpots for warm dishes. You should also make sure there’s enough food to go around—it’s better to have a lot of leftovers than to have your guests go home hungry.

Don’t forget the drinks! Stock up on several different options so everyone has a few other options. This is especially important for summertime parties where your guests need to rehydrate frequently.

If you’re throwing a party for adults, alcoholic drinks can be a great way to liven up the event. Just make sure you properly label any alcoholic drinks at your party, especially if you have minors attending.

Be sure to stock up on dining utensils, too! Plates, silverware, napkins, and cups are essential.

Music is an excellent way to liven up your party, regardless of the theme or size. It can encourage fun activities like karaoke or dancing, too!

If you want to keep things simple, you can turn on a radio or create a playlist on your phone. Or if you’re throwing a big party and have a hefty budget, you could hire a DJ or a band!

When it comes to genre, you’ll want to pick something upbeat and party-friendly, yet still fitting for your guest of honor’s tastes. Try asking them what kind of music they enjoy so you can make the perfect playlist for their special day!

17. Photographer/Videographer

While a surprise birthday party is hard to forget, having some physical memories of their special day can be an excellent gift for your guest of honor. To ensure that everyone remembers this party for years to come, consider hiring someone to photograph and record some videos of the event.

The price of photographers and videographers can vary depending on how long your party is and who you’re hiring. Some photographers can cost several hundred dollars per hour.

So if you want some professional-quality pictures and videos of your party, you’ll want to factor that into your party budget.

With that in mind, you don’t always need to hire a professional. Amateur pictures and videos can be just as memorable, if not more so. If you have a good camera of your own, you can save a lot of money by being your own photographer!

18. How to Surprise

A party in and of itself is an excellent surprise for your guest of honor. But there are a few other ways to ensure that this party will genuinely wow your loved one.

The more unique the party, the more of a surprise it will be. Don’t be afraid to use many colors in your decorations and try out some uncommon party activities! And if you stray away from the usual party food—for instance, serving tacos instead of the usual pizza—you’re sure to wow everyone.

As long as you make an effort to be creative in your party planning, you can easily throw your guest of honor for a loop!

19. Execute

With all the party planning out of the way, all that’s left to do is execute your plan. Make sure everyone involved knows the game plan so the special day can go smoothly. Communication is key to a successful surprise birthday party.

When your guest of honor walks into the room, be sure to shout “surprise!” or “happy birthday!” When they see their loved ones and the extravagant party you’ve all arranged, the smile on their face will make all of your effort worthwhile!

picture of a surprise birthday party in action

We’ve covered all the basics about how to plan a surprise birthday party. However, some questions may still hang in your mind. There’s a lot to know about surprise birthday parties, after all.

Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions!

Are surprise parties a good idea? Whether a surprise party is a good idea depends on who you’re throwing the party for and how well you organize the party. Remember that surprise parties aren’t for everyone. But if you have a guest of honor who enjoys spontaneity, a surprise birthday party can be a great way to celebrate their special day! Careful planning is vital for a successful surprise party—but that applies to all parties, not just surprise parties. So overall, as long as you have the correct circumstances, a surprise birthday party can be a great idea!
Keep your party planning group small.
Try to keep a straight face when you’re around the guest of honor.
While planning is a good idea, try not to plan too far ahead. The closer you plan your surprise party, the less time you’ll worry about keeping your lips sealed.
Try to avoid telling children about the party ahead of time. Younger kids may struggle to understand why keeping a surprise party a secret is essential, so it may be best to keep your party plans to a small group of adults instead.
How do you invite someone to a surprise party? When you invite someone to a surprise party, it’s best to do it discreetly, so the secret doesn’t get out. Try giving out your invitations in private; doing it over email is the best option since this means there won’t be any physical evidence that the wrong person could stumble upon. Be sure to emphasize that the party is a secret on the invitation. Many people will be eager to talk about the party or ask the guest of honor for gift ideas—to avoid this problem, leave no room for confusion on the invitation that this birthday party is meant to be a surprise!
Your friends and family are very secretive.
Your birthday is coming up soon.
People around you have avoided talking about your birthday.
Your friends and family have been asking many hypothetical questions, such as your favorite cake flavors or favorite music.
The people around you seem to be unusually busy.

Cardi “ likes to party ” Clark has 15+ years of designing, planning, and executing successful parties and events. Highly skilled in event strategy, management, planning, and execution with a track record of exceeding expectations. I make it happen. I get it done and people have fun!

Essay on My Birthday Surprise

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Birthday Surprise in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Birthday Surprise

Introduction.

My birthday is always a special day, but last year was unforgettable due to a wonderful surprise.

The Surprise

As the day began, my parents wished me. I felt a bit sad as there were no special plans due to the pandemic. However, in the evening, my room’s door opened, and to my surprise, my friends came in with a huge cake and presents.

That surprise made my day extraordinary. It taught me that even in difficult times, happiness can be found in the smallest things. This birthday surprise will always be cherished in my heart.

250 Words Essay on My Birthday Surprise

The anticipation.

Birthdays are always special, filled with the excitement of gifts, parties, and surprises. As I turned 21, I was expecting a low-key celebration due to the ongoing pandemic. Little did I know that my friends had planned an unforgettable surprise for me.

The Virtual Celebration

The surprises didn’t stop there. My friends had also organized a virtual escape room adventure, a shared interest of ours. We spent hours solving riddles and puzzles, our laughter echoing through the speakers. It was a unique and fun way to celebrate, despite the physical distance.

The Emotional Impact

This birthday surprise was more than just a celebration; it was a testament to the strength of our friendship. It reminded me that physical distance cannot weaken the bonds we share. It was a reassurance that despite the challenging times, we could still create beautiful memories together.

In conclusion, my 21st birthday was a beautiful reminder of the power of friendship and the capacity of technology to bring us together. It was a birthday I will always remember, not for the grandeur, but for the warmth and love I felt. This surprise was a gift of cherished memories, making it the best birthday ever.

500 Words Essay on My Birthday Surprise

The unveiling of the day.

Every year, my birthday unfolds as a pleasant day filled with well-wishes, gifts, and the warmth of loved ones. But this year, my birthday took an unexpected turn, transforming into an unforgettable experience that defied the conventional norms of celebration. This essay is a narrative of that surprise, an event that not only changed my perception of birthdays but also taught me valuable lessons about life and relationships.

The Morning Mystery

The day started as usual, with the regular morning routine and no signs of a special occasion. The lack of the usual birthday buzz was perplexing. My family and friends, who are usually eager to shower me with love and attention, seemed to have conveniently forgotten my birthday. The silence was unusual, but I decided to shrug it off, attributing it to their busy schedules.

Unraveling the Enigma

The grand revelation.

As the evening approached, the suspense reached its peak. Suddenly, I was blindfolded and led to our backyard. As the cloth lifted, I was met with a sight that took my breath away. A beautiful setup under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights, a table laden with my favorite dishes, and the smiling faces of my loved ones. The effort, creativity, and love that went into planning and executing the surprise was overwhelming.

The Underlying Significance

This surprise was more than just a birthday celebration; it was a testament to the love and effort my family and friends were willing to put into making me happy. It was a lesson in humility and gratitude, reminding me of the importance of appreciating the small gestures that often go unnoticed. It also taught me the value of patience, as the best things in life often come to those who wait.

Reflections and Resolutions

In conclusion, my birthday surprise was an unforgettable experience that transcended the boundaries of a typical celebration. It was a day filled with joy, surprise, and deep reflections, a day that will forever hold a special place in my heart. The memories of this day serve as a constant reminder of the love that surrounds me and the lessons that life continues to teach us.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Happy studying!

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How to Plan a Surprise Birthday Party: Your Ultimate Guide

November 28, 2022 by Karl Tessendorf

Step 1. Lock in the guest of honor and set the date

Step 2. assemble a team, step 3. choose a theme, step 4. set a budget, step 5. organize a guest list and invitations, step 6. choose a venue, step 7. plan a menu, step 8. decide on a floor plan.

Step 9. Décor and playlist

Step 10. Set up some activities

Step 11. direct your guests, step 12. plan a decoy for the guest of honor, step 14. unveil the big surprise.

Welcome to party central! We’ve created a nifty checklist to help you figure out how to plan a surprise birthday party . On paper, a surprise party seems like a crazy undertaking. It takes weeks of careful planning and juggling to get all the cogs of the party wheel lined up just right. It relies on perfect timing and utter secrecy that might give you gray hairs, but the payoff is worth every single one. It’s all about that moment when they walk in, and their jaw hits the floor. They stare in confusion and tilt their head like a puppy trying to figure out how another puppy got into its water bowl. And then the realization hits, they’ve been set up (and the crowd goes wild!) There’s nothing quite like it and with our ‘ how to plan a surprise birthday party guide’ , you’ll knock it out of the park.

Your surprise birthday party could be for your mom, dad, wife, husband, brother or siste r but if you don’t lock them down first, your party will fizzle instead of sizzle. So, make sure you book time in their calendar at least a week in advance. You’re going to need a good excuse so think of something creative (but don’t go crazy).

If it’s your spouse, then a date day or night is always a solid option. If it’s a friend or sibling, then tell them you need help moving something, or you need a lift somewhere. You know your spouse, friends, or family best, so tailor your story to fit your situation so it feels natural. Don’t tell them you need help rescuing a dolphin from an Aquarium unless you really work at one. Otherwise, they’re going to smell something fishy. Keep the story low-key and mundane. Something you’d rather not be doing but you can’t do without their help.

Once you’ve got the date and time set, you can let the potential guest list know. Even if the invite is not ready yet, it’s good to provisionally send out the date so guests can plan accordingly. Once the invite is ready, send it out as soon as possible.

Whether you’re planning a surprise 18 th , 21 st , 30 th or 50 th birthday party , it’s not a one-person job. To pull off the best surprise of the decade, you’re going to need an elite team of secret agents. We’re talking about a reliable and stealthy team with a very particular set of surprise party skills. You probably already have a few options in mind, but make sure they are up to the task. It’s always good to have a few backup team members just in case anything goes wrong.

Once you’ve got your team assembled, delegate responsibilities and make sure each member knows exactly what they need to do. For ease of execution, break the party down into segments like: venue, food, drinks, décor, and transportation. Start a group chat on your phone app and keep the flow of information in one place for easy reference.

You don’t really need a surprise birthday party theme, but it makes everything easier to plan and we highly recommend one. When choosing a theme, the most important thing to consider is what your guest of honor likes. If they’re lactose intolerant, then a Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory Experience might not be the best idea.

The easiest solution is to make a list of the top three things they like. See which options lend themselves well to a party theme . Also opt for a theme that will give you the most wiggle room for venue choice, food, and dress-up ideas.

Another route is to let the venue dictate the theme. If your venue is a Mexican restaurant, then go for a Mexican party theme . Ask the bartender to mix up a few great Mexican cocktails and get the fiesta feels flowing.

There’s one thing that’s more important than a guide on how to plan a surprise birthday party, and it starts with a ‘b’ and ends with ‘udget’. That’s right the success of your surprise party lives and dies by the budget so make sure you’ve got one to work with. The budget will dictate whether you’re brunching at a wine farm or picnicking in the park. Not to say that one is better than the other, but you get the idea.

If you’ve got a grand plan, then a great way to cover it is to crowd-fund it. Once you’ve worked out a general cost for the event, you can divide it up by the number of guests. Tell each guest that rather than trying to find a last-minute gift, they can contribute a small amount to the surprise party. An awesome memory of the best surprise party ever will mean more than any pair of socks or coffee mug ever would.

The guest list should be straightforward (unless you’re inviting guests from afar). Keep the list to friends, family, nearest and dearest. Make sure you confirm the number of guests with the venue to avoid any nasty surprises. As soon as you have your guest list worked out, send a preliminary text message encouraging guests to save the date. Make sure you tell the guests more than once that this is a surprise party. Any guest who blurts the secret to the birthday pumpkin will be the human piñata at the party.

Once you’ve piqued the curiosity of your guests, it’s time to create an invitation. There are so many free design tools available online these days, so let your creative spirit run wild. Keep it on theme and be simple but clear. Reiterate that this is a super-secret surprise party! If there are specific directions to the venue, then include them or provide a website with information.

As a final point of contact, create a temporary group chat on your phone app with all the guests. This will serve as a great channel of communication leading up to the event and on the day of the party. Lastly, make sure that the guests arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before the guest of honor. This gives everyone enough time to grab a drink, settle in and wait for the show to start.

If you’re here to learn how to plan a surprise birthday party at home , go ahead and skip this section. If, however, you want to go all out and find a venue, keep reading.

As we discussed before, if you have a theme then let that dictate the venue. Get a list of two to three possible venue options then call each one and check for availability. The sooner you get the booking locked in, the better. The worst thing that you can do is leave the booking until the last minute, because you will be disappointed. We repeat, you will be disappointed.

Another thing to consider is if the party is family-friendly or is it a surprise birthday party for adults. If there are kids or older family members involved, then make sure the venue can accommodate them.

If you’re hosting the party at a family member or friend’s house, then make sure you leave plenty of time for décor and set up. Deploy your team to get the venue ready while you distract the guest of honor. The more organized you are, the less stressful the day will be.

The simplest way to plan your menu is to tailor it to the theme of the party. If you’ve got many guests, then opt for platters of finger food and snacks. Communal sharing always adds to the festivities. Plan your cocktails according to the theme or pick one as a signature cocktail of the party. Cocktail pitchers are always a great option because guests can help themselves.

If it’s a smaller party and you’re comfortable with a sit-down meal, then opt for that. If your venue is outdoors and there is a garden or lawn then consider a picnic-style brunch, lunch, or dinner. Always remember to budget, budget, budget, because food and drinks will be the main cost of the party. Lastly, make sure that you’re serving food and drinks that your guest of honor will love.

It’s not a party without a birthday cake add that to the surprise birthday planning list. We recommend ordering a cake from a good bakery for best results. Not having to worry about making cake is a huge stress reliever and trust us, things are going to get a little hectic no matter how organized you are. If you’re catering for a big crowd, then cupcakes or cake pops are a great idea. You can still have a small cake for the cutting ceremony, but it’s a lot easier to hand out cupcakes than it is to slice and serve 20 pieces of cake.

Most venues that are used to hosting parties will give their suggestions for a good setup. Heed their advice but also consider the following things. Firstly, are there any grandparents joining that might need wheelchair access? Another thing to think about is if there will there be any children at the party. If so, then it’s a good idea to have a kid’s area set up, or to book a table that’s close (but not too close) to the kid’s play area.

Lastly, whatever kind of venue you hire or book, make sure that the table or party is not immediately visible from the parking lot. For maximum surprise factor, lead the guest of honor on a path that has a few twists and turns on the way to the party.

Step 9. Décor and playlist

A group of friends celebrating around a table

Great table décor is always impressive to look at and it sets the tone for the party. How over the top you decide to go is up to you but just remember to keep it on theme and classy. Put the person with the best sense of style on your team on décor duty and give them a budget to work with. Party shops are a great resource when looking for affordable décor options.

If you’re at a venue that lets you bring your own playlist, then go for it. Alternatively, if the venue allows for it, you could always hire a DJ or even a live band. A great budget-friendly solution is to book a venue that already has live music.

Party activities are always fun, but make sure they’re allowed at the venue before planning any. If the party is outdoors or on a lawn, then setting up a few simple games can be fun. Let your theme dictate the games. If it’s Mexican, go for a piñata, or if it’s a western theme, then hire a mechanical bull. A photo booth with props is always a great way for guests to make some birthday memories.

Once you’ve got your venue booked and your area planned out, it’s time to do an arrival dry run. You don’t need your guests at the venue for this, but you do need to know where they must be waiting. Time how long it takes to walk from the parking lot until the table is visible and make a note. When you arrive at the party on the day you can send an alert text to your teammate who will be inside.

Decide beforehand if you are going to shout the classic SURPRISE or if you’re going to do something different. Make sure you brief the guests so it’s a nice, clean, and unanimous shout instead of a mumble jumble. If any guests are running late, then see if there is an alternative entrance they can use. You don’t want to ruin the surprise at the last hurdle by having them arrive in the parking lot just as you do.

If the party is at a family or friend’s house, then advise guests to park one road away or use an Uber if possible. Nothing gives a surprise party away faster than 20 cars parked outside a house.

A couple looking at the engine of a broken down car

If you followed step 1 correctly then you’ve already booked time in the guest of honor’s diary. As far as they are concerned, they’re going on a date with their spouse, or they are helping a friend. If something goes wrong on the day, it’s always good to have a backup decoy. Helping a parent who’s got a flat tire or battery are always solid options.

<H2> Step 13. Prep on the big day

It’s SHOWTIME baby! Sure, your palms are sweaty, knees weak, and arms are heavy , but you’ve got Eminem blasting and you’ve got this in the bag. Yes, it’s going to be a little hectic, but you’ve got it all worked out because you followed this handy guide. Be sure to have a catch-up with your elite party team and make sure that everyone knows what they are responsible for.

Our top tip for the day is to pack a set of party clothes for the guest of honor if necessary. If they think you’re going on a date, then they’ll most likely be dressed for the occasion. But if your decoy was helping a friend move or fix a car then they’ll need something to change into. You want them to be dressed for the occasion and comfortable at their own party.

Send an alert text to your team as soon as you pull into the venue. Make sure that one of them is filming the event. Start your slow walk to the party and try not to cough up one of the thousand butterflies that are flapping around in your stomach. And just like that, SURPRISE!

Congrats, you’ve pulled off a surprise party for the ages. Before you know it, you’re going to have people asking you to plan their birthday parties . But for now, enjoy the day, take lots of pictures and give yourself a well-earned pat on the back. You earned it!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are surprise parties a good idea, what is the best way to surprise a loved one on their birthday, how do you arrange a surprise birthday party, what is the secret to a good surprise party.

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Food and Entertaining
Party Planning

How to Plan a Birthday Party

Last Updated: June 3, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Stefanie Chu-Leong . 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. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 16 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 367,286 times.

Planning birthday parties is both fun and stressful. There are many elements of a good party to take into consideration, and the responsibility of the party being a blast falls on you. There are some fail-safe steps to take in order to plan a fantastic birthday party that will have everyone involved and having fun. Make sure that you have fun along the way!

Deciding When and Where to Have the Birthday Party

Step 1 Choose a date for the birthday party.

Consult with the person whose birthday it is to determine a good day for the party. Check their schedule and take note of any holidays around that time. Keep in mind that many people travel for different holidays.
It is advisable to host the party on a weekend. More people will be willing and able to come if it is on a weekend, because many people do not have to work on the weekends. [1] X Research source

If you are throwing a birthday party for a child, host it in the late morning or early afternoon. This is most convenient for families.
If you are throwing a party for an adult, then an evening party is appropriate.

Step 3 Decide on a budget for the party.

Come up with an overall budget, meaning a total amount that you want to spend on the birthday party. Most people believe that a budget up to £200-300 is reasonable, and many feel keeping party costs under £150 is completely doable. [3] X Research source
Break down each element of the party (e.g. invitations, food, drink, decorations, venue) and decide how much should be spent in each area.

Step 4 Create a guest list for the party.

A guest list will help you ensure that no one is forgotten when sending out invitations.
It will aid you in deciding where to hold the party. A guest list of 12 people means you could host the party in someone's home, if you wanted to do so, but a guest list of 50 people will likely need to be held somewhere else.
This will eliminate the risk of people the birthday person does not want attending showing up to the party.
Having a number of guests in mind enables you to determine how much food and drink will need to be provided, if you are doing that yourself or having it catered.

Step 5 Consider where to have the party.

Take into consideration what the birthday person wants. If he/she wants a more elaborate party, then work to plan the party in a venue that enables that. If he/she is into small gatherings with close friends, then aim for that instead.
You will need to decide if you want to have the party in your home or someone else's home in order to keep the venue cost-free.
Think about making a reservation at a restaurant if your party is of a reasonable size. Most restaurants can accommodate up to about 25 people without too much issue.
Another idea is to host the party at a party or banquet hall. This will be a more expensive option, but it can easily accommodate more people.
Think about the guest list and keep in mind if any guests need accommodations. Be sure that wherever you choose caters to people who need certain accommodations, like wheelchairs.

Stefanie Chu-Leong

Choose a time and location that work well together. An outdoor party in the woods at 5 pm can get cold fast and require heat lamps while a 1 pm party in a clubhouse might get warm and need a coat check room. Make sure you have the right amenities for your time and location and that they complement each other.

Planning Out the Party Details

Step 1 Decide if the party should have a theme.

Weigh the pros and cons of having a themed party based on the person whose birthday it is. Would they like a themed birthday party?
Consider whether it is a kid's party or an adult's party. Choose a theme that is age-appropriate, if you decide to go this route. For example, appropriate themes for children would be based on kid-friendly television shows or movies, circus, movie theater, a children's book, or carnival. On the other hand, appropriate themes for adults might be a black-and-white affair, casino, a decade theme, or an adult movie or television show.

Step 2 Purchase and send out invitations.

It is best to send out the invitations about 3-4 weeks in advance of the party in order to give people enough time to plan for it. Be sure to include RSVP information on the invitation.
Sending out the invitations after you have decided on the earlier details ensures that you have the guest list secured and that you have decided on whether to have a themed party, making you more organized.
Be sure to reach out to some of the invited guests for help. They can help set up, clean up, provide food, decorate, and more. It is not necessary to do it all by yourself! [5] X Research source

Step 3 Create a plan for the food and beverages.

Decide what type of food will be best for the party. If you chose a theme, then make sure the food flows with that theme. For example, a camo cake would work great for an army-themed party, but it would seem out of place for a princess-themed party.
Know whether any of your guests have food allergies. If so, be sure to provide options that are safe for them to eat or let them know that they are welcome to bring their own food.
Be realistic about how much food and drink to provide based on the length of the party. A party that is planned to be an hour or two might only require refreshments and birthday desserts, while a party that is meant to last for several hours will need more of a meal. [6] X Research source
Make sure that you plan for enough food and drink to cater to all of the guests. Remember, get too much food rather than too little.

Opening your home is fulfilling and enriches your life. "You should feel good about making your home nicer for your family and your friends. You should feel great about things like cooking a good dinner and making a dress for a granddaughter, creating a beautiful birthday party. It's all part of life."

Step 4 Know your obligations for providing the food and drinks.

If you are throwing the party in your home or someone else's, decide if you will make all of the food yourself. If not, then reach out to others and ask for their assistance in providing the food and drinks. A potluck is a great idea!
If the party is going to be held at a restaurant, then no real planning needs to be done in this area, as the restaurant will take care of that for you!
If the party is going to be at a party or banquet hall, then you need to check with their staff about catering options. Find out if you can bring the food, if they will cater the food, or if they have particular vendors they use to cater food for parties.
Decide whether alcohol should be provided, if it is an adult birthday party. For example, if the birthday person does not drink and has many friends and family who do not drink, then alcohol would be unnecessary. [7] X Research source

Step 5 Gather decorations for the party.

If you decided on a theme for the party, then this will be easy, as you will simply buy decorations to match the theme.
If you did not decide on a theme, then think about what the birthday person would want. Does he/she like a lot of decorations, like balloons, streamers, and confetti? Or is he/she more of a laid-back person who is not interested in decorations? Purchase decorations accordingly.
Decorations are not as important for an adult's birthday party, but they are quite important for a child's birthday party. Kids are imaginative, so even household items can contribute to the decorations if you want to save money in this area. [8] X Research source

Step 6 Choose entertainment options for the birthday party.

For a child's birthday party, there are many options. Games are great, but they often require supplies, so keep that in mind. You could have a story time, if it goes with the theme. Another idea is to have music playing. You could also hire an entertainer, such as a clown, a magician, or a scientist, if it is in your budget. [9] X Research source
An adult's party can just as easily include games. It would also be helpful to have music playing in the background, either via a disc jockey or via a homemade setup with a computer or smartphone and speakers. If the party is going to be out on the town, then the entertainment could come in the form of a live band or an activity, such as a comedy show.

Most of the time, the birthday person will want a cake, especially if it is a child. Decide whether you are going to make the cake yourself or purchase one from a bakery.
Know what kind of cake the birthday person likes, and take into consideration any food allergies of the guests. Have an alternative dessert ready if they cannot have the cake.
If the birthday person does not want a cake, then provide what they do want! Cupcakes, brownies, pies, cookies, and ice cream are all perfectly acceptable substitutions for birthday cake.

Step 8 Create a back-up plan in case of weather, especially if the party is outside.

Getting Ready for the Party

Step 1 Arrange your organized help to assist you in setting up the party on the day of.

Set up the decorations and food, if necessary.
If you are providing the food to the party venue, then be sure to get it to the venue on time.
Give yourself enough time to set everything up. Rushing will result in mistakes.
Have everything you need in one place, or have dedicated helpers be in charge of what supplies they are helping to provide. Know where everything is to streamline the process.

Step 2 Have a plan for keeping the food hot or cold, depending on what it needs.

If the food is being catered or provided by the restaurant, then that will be taken care of by that business.
If you are providing the food in your home or someone else's, then be wary of putting the food out too early. Food can spoil if it is not kept hot or cold.

Step 3 Notify your guests if you have to move the party to the back-up location.

Have a dedicated cool-down area if a child gets upset during the party. It is best if it is away from the rest of the guests.
Have a first aid kit and anything else that you think might be necessary in case someone gets injured during the party.
If you have pets, keep them secured away from the guests for the duration of the party. Unless your pets are very well behaved and trained, an issue could arise there, from someone being afraid of them to the pets getting loose.

Party Food and Drink Ideas

Community Q&A

Do not be afraid to ask for help! Thanks Helpful 58 Not Helpful 9
Have fun while you plan! You are planning a party, after all, so make sure that you enjoy the process. Thanks Helpful 58 Not Helpful 9
Invite people you are comfortable with! Don't feel obligated to invite certain people if you don't want to. Your party should be fun, not awkward. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 4

Be very aware of any potential food allergies. People's reactions to food allergies vary but can be very serious, requiring emergency medical attention. Thanks Helpful 43 Not Helpful 7

↑ http://www.beau-coup.com/how-to-plan-an-adult-birthday-party.htm
↑ http://www.circleofmoms.com/question/how-much-money-should-i-spend-kids-birthday-party-1700721
↑ https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-plan-a-birthday-party

About This Article

To plan a birthday party, start by setting the date, time, and budget of the party so nothing gets out of hand. Then, make a guest list and decide where to have the party based on what the birthday person likes. Once you know the location, try to send the invitations out 3 to 4 weeks in advance so people have time to RSVP. If you're having the party at home and you'd like an easier setup, try asking the guests to bring food or help set up the party so it is easier for you. Keep reading for tips on choosing a theme and decorations. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Essay on Hospitality

Essay On How To Put Together An Awe-Inspiring Surprise Party

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Hospitality , Planning , Friendship , Swimming , Friends , Time , Time Management , Birthday

Words: 1000

Published: 02/20/2020

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Parties are no doubt an integral part of the average undergraduate student. While I fall in this bracket, I am the undisputed champion of putting together awesome surprise parties of whatever kind, especially birthday parties. Preparing a surprise party can be exceptionally challenging especially considering that people are different, have different tastes and preferences, and are likely to react differently to different things (Espeland and Verdick 79). For a successful surprise party, the priorities of the individual to be surprised have to be pivotal as they are the primary determinants of whether the party will be a remarkable joyful event or an annoyance triggering provocation. This essay endeavors to explain the entire process of putting together an awe-inspiring surprise party for a friend. The first step in putting together a remarkable surprise party is to make sure the person to be surprised has absolutely no idea of the imminent plans. To successfully do this, the planner should ensure minimal contact with the individual. This is because a mere slip of the tongue could auction the hints to the person to be surprised. Secondly, the planner(s) should not speak to any of the person’s friends as they may be tempted to leak the information to them. The plan and all information relating to the plan should remain strictly within the confines of the planning group (Espeland and Verdick 87). That done, the planners should spend the time they spend with the individual to be surprised because a ‘mistake’ could happen. If it is a birthday party, the person planning it should schedule it for a day before the actual birthday. As a matter of fact, the most important thing is to think about the actual surprise. In so doing, the individuals planning the party should foremost consider the hobbies of their friend. It makes sense that the party should revolve around such hobbies and fun activities. If they like swimming, for instance, the party should revolve around swimming. Considering the hobbies of the person to be surprised is almost a rule. It should not be broken lest somebody be held answerable the following day. The second step in thinking about the core idea of the surprise party is to consider the likes and dislikes of the person (Espeland and Verdick 109). For instance, it is a matter of common knowledge that a surprise party should maximize the likes and minimize the dislikes. Consider a person that does not drink, for instance. It beats logic to plan a surprise party full of booze. If the person likes music and dance, the planner should get a good music system and audio visual gadgets such as big screens. After getting the hobbies and the likes sorted, get to analyze the personality of the individual to be surprised. This means that all friends in the planning circle should come together and give their views on how they understand the person. This is especially so because no one friend totally knows every bit of their comrade’s personality. Different friends know different things about the person. For this reason, they should gather the varied views. If the person is an introvert, do not invite noisy friends and especially drunks. Such are bound to irritate the person. On the contrary, if the person is an extreme extrovert the organizers of the party should consider inviting those people that are both social and sociable. This will add fun and make the person feel at ease. Timing is another crucial factor that a person organizing the party should consider. Speaking of timing, the choice of day is of the essence. What this means is that the people organizing the event should make the event the surprise it is supposed to be. This is to say that the organizer should go for a day that the person to be surprised least expects a party. While this is the case, a weekday, probably a Tuesday midmorning or afternoon should be a perfect time. The party should be set to take place at that time because, typically, not many people would anticipate a party on a Tuesday afternoon (Espeland and Verdick 114). Along with the timing, the planners should prepare the party away from the individual’s house, probably at a friend’s. It goes without saying that the foods and drinks should be chosen with the person’s preferences in mind. Foods and drinks are a core aspect of a surprise party. Therefore, the people preparing the party should prepare food carefully in such a manner that both the person being surprised and the guests like it. It is a matter of common knowledge that a party is even much better when the composition of guests consists of people from both sexes. A party can be dead boring if it is only dominated by either gender. For this reason, it is recommended that the inviting be done in a well calculated manner. This helps break potential monotony during the event. Espeland and Verdick think that a surprise party will always be a big success when the guests are people that the person does not expect (117). This adds a pleasant touch to the whole thing. The last step is the ultimate surprise. Pulling the ultimate surprise must be carefully calculated. After all is set, the planners should make sure all the invited guests have arrived. After that, one person, preferably the host should call the person to be surprised. In the call, the host should not hint that there is a party, but can instead tell the person that there is something urgent, probably related to some sad news that they need to discuss. This will ensure the person hurriedly arrives. Upon arrival, the guests around, and the host should open the door and shout, “surprise! Surprise! Surprise!” if the party was a birthday, they can start singing the conventional happy birthday song, then set the party rolling. This pro3ess is a guarantee of the most awe-inspiring surprise birthday.

Works Cited

Espeland, Pamela, and Elizabeth Verdick. Making Choices and Making Friends: The Social Competencies Assets. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Pub, 2006. Print

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Statistics demonstrate that the individuals who possess the most get to live best. The day a person is born is an amazing day. Planning someone’s birthday party might appear like an effortless project; however, it can be intricate amid a lot of work. For you to plan a birthday party that is successful, you need to have excellent organization, a good spot, and sufficient resources. The process has three steps, which can plan a successful birthday party.

First, you will require having outstanding organization. For instance, you should create a listing of family members, friends and colleagues. You might fill out invitation cards for the birthday and send them through the mail at slightest two weeks prior to the birthday party. You ought to give your guests ample time to reply to the invitation cards. Through this, you will identify the number of people who will be at your birthday party. If you desire to hold the party at your residence, you will have to send invitations to your neighbors, as well. Having a birthday party at your residence every so often comes with a great deal of noise, your party guests might park their vehicles by your neighbor home, and you would not like to be a nuisance your neighbors. You ought to value your neighbors since they can make or shatter any grand revelry at your residence. Subsequent to knowing the number of individuals will be attending the birthday bash, you will have to put together a listing of foodstuff, alcohol drinks, soft beverages, and party provisions, for instance, paper platters, plastic folks, mugs, napkins, decorations, and entertainment such as games and a band. Furthermore, you may need to hire out-door furniture given that your birthday will be done within your backyard. You could opt for a convenient food, for instance, Pizza when it comes to the menu. Pizza is trouble-free and a pleasant choice for just about everyone who will attend your birthday party. On the other hand, if you have an exceptional budget, in addition to having more than fifty individuals who will attend the party, you should take a caterer into service.

The subsequent step you are required to choose a suitable place, for example, an eating-place, history club, a ballroom of a hotel, or your residence. For instance, you could decide to have your residence as the place to hold the birthday party. This is because the majority of guests you invite to the party are already familiar with where you stay. Therefore, it will be unchallenging for them to trace the location of the birthday party. Moreover, having the birthday at your residence will save a part of the budget as weighed against renting a spot. However, if you have an excellent financial plan and your residence cannot hold many guests, at that moment you probably should rent a spot, such as a restaurant.

The last step you will require when planning an adult birthday party is a budget. The most terrible thing that can take place during this process is you making all the plans, and realizing that you do not have a sufficient amount of cash. A sound financial plan will assist you monitor your operating cost. For instance, if your birthday party planning financial plan is $1200, you can buy foodstuff, beverages and supplies worth $700; take a band or even DJ into service worth $300, and $200 worth of decorations.

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How To Plan A Party Essay | Essay on Planning a Party, How To Plan a Perfect Party?

January 11, 2022 by Prasanna

How To Plan A Party Essay: Planning a party is never easy. You have to keep in mind the guest list, venue, budget and so on. It is necessary to plan out everything beforehand and follow a checklist so that at the end of it all you don’t find yourself wondering what to do next. In this essay, we shall explore how to plan a successful party.

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How To Plan A Party?

There are many factors that go into planning a party, like food, location, and music. The best way to start is by deciding the date. If the date is flexible, then you’ll have a few options. You should then pick a theme for your party and work from there. What you decide should depend on the type of people who will be attending. Next, start by figuring out how many people you want to invite. If you would like to have it indoors, then ensure that there is enough space. After you know how many guests you want to invite, decide on a date and time for the party. This will make it easier to coordinate with vendors such as caterers or decorators if needed. If you are hosting a large party, plan your menu and select the food you will serve. You’ll also need to decide on beverages such as alcohol and soft drinks. Be sure to order enough food for every guest. Your next step is to create invitations, which should include the date, an RSVP date, and any information about location or dress code.

Another important tip is to improvise – It can never hurt to have your sights set on having a great time and making sure everyone remains safe. While you don’t need to spend a lot of money on your party, it’s always good to have a plan. For example, if you want popcorn that tastes good, you can buy some already made and have it delivered to your party. If you want beer that is cheap but great, you can order bottles of beer in bulk and have them delivered to your party. And finally, remember to breathe. Sometimes we get so caught up in the planning process that we forget to have a minute to ourselves. Doing so will help you stay calm no matter what happens throughout the night.

To recap, these are the things to keep in mind while planning a party:

Plan the date and time for the party: When planning a party, one of the most important decisions to make is when to have it. Factors such as what day of the week, what time of day and how long your event will last all influence this decision.

Choose a theme for the party: Themes help shape the mood and atmosphere of a party. They can be as simple as an all-white affair or as elaborate as a masquerade ball. Choosing a theme for your upcoming event can be difficult, but there are certain factors to consider, such as: Which type of party is this? Are there dietary restrictions? Is it a formal or casual occasion? Who will be hosting the event? What is the occasion for the party?

Decide whether to get a venue: Venues come in all shapes and sizes and vary considerably in terms of price. If you are hosting a small event, it may be possible to host the event at your home or at a public space such as a park. However, if you are hosting an event for more than 50 people, there are many options to choose from.

Plan the food and drink: Planning the food and drink for the party is important. There are so many different things to consider, such as the type` of the menu, whether or not to include dessert, drinks, appetizers, etc.

Plan the entertainment for the party: The best ideas for party entertainment are games. Games can be anything from a scavenger hunt to charades. Games are fun and offer an opportunity to interact with one another. If the party has a large number of guests, then hiring a local band, DJ or performers might be worth it.

Plan who will be invited to your party: The guest list is a crucial decision. It’s important to figure out who you want to have at your party. Decide on the type of people you want to have at your party, then think about how many of them you’ll need to invite.

Make a Checklist

One way to make sure your party goes smoothly is to create a checklist. You can list all the tasks that need to be done based on the order they need to happen. This will reduce your stress level because you’ll know where you’re at in the process and you’ll have a list of things that still need to get done. There are several different types of checklists that can be used. A basic checklist will include things such as beverages, dishes, serving utensils, and food for the guests.

When planning a party, it is important to have a guest list. This will help you figure out what kind of food to serve. It will also help you with the budget for the party. If required, you can also speak with your guests about their dietary restrictions or allergies beforehand so you can plan accordingly.

The guest list will usually come from the following sources:

Friends and family
Potential business contacts
Civic groups
Local churches and temples

A good guest list will have some of these elements:

The Guest List should have some sort of commonality, whether it be people who are close friends, or coworkers, or people who are the same age.
The guest list should also include a variety of activities, such as socializing and dancing, so that people on the list will be able to find something to do at the event.
It is important to be aware of any guest lists that may have people who may not want to be on the list.

The venue is one of the most important aspects to consider when planning a party. You want to make sure your venue is accessible, has enough space for your guests, and will fit in with your theme. Here are some tips for deciding on the perfect location:

Think about the number of guests: How many people will be attending? How many rooms do you need, and what are your event themes/goals? Will you want to accommodate guests with special dietary needs?
Look at the space: How big is your venue? Is it easy to get around? Is it access for the guests, etc.
Consider your budget: The cost of renting out a venue is expensive, but renting out an indoor space (like a conference room or gym) might be a little cheaper.
Consider your event: Are you having a dinner party? A small gathering with guest speakers? A fundraiser? A wedding?
Check out the locations in person: Head to the venues and explore the space to determine what it is like inside. Are there any hidden or unique features?

The first step of planning is to set a budget. Take out your calculator and figure out how much money you’re able to spend on the party. When you know what you’re working with, it’s easier to focus on what kind of party you want. For example, if you have $1,000, then it would be best to just hire a caterer or buy some food for the party. On the other hand, if you had $2,000, then you could also provide drinks and music too. One way to keep your party planning budget in check is to make a list of all the things you want for your party. Work with what you have at home, rent what you need, and borrow anything else that’s important to your event. Remember, planning your budget from the beginning will save you from buying things you don’t really need.

The type of food needed at parties depends on whether the party is casual, formal, or a potluck. For casual parties, guests will usually bring their own food such as a mixed salad, sandwiches with potato chips, and quesadillas. Formal parties usually have a good mix of salads and finger foods like cocktail shrimp. A potluck would include many different dishes from various hosts.

Drink planning is one of the most important parts of throwing a great party. You have to think about what type of drinks you will be going to have, and what types of side food your guests might want. Maybe you want to start a cocktail bar or go with a variety of beer and wine for your drink selection. For guests who prefer to remain sober, ensure that they have choices too, such as water, iced tea, fruit juices, or soda.

Decorations

One way to set the tone for your event is with decorations. At a wedding reception, flowers, tablecloths, and mood-setting candles are often used. For children’s parties, balloons and streamers can create an atmosphere of joy. Streamers or paper chains in colors may be hung along walls for decoration at events such as birthday parties. Paper chains, sometimes called paper lanterns, are commonly hung from the ceiling. String lights may be used at holiday events such as Christmas and Halloween parties. Decorations for a dinner party include candle holders and flower arrangements. Table linens, centerpieces and your choice of dinnerware can also set the mood and style of a dinner party.

Entertainment

The most important thing to consider is entertainment for your guests. If you’re hosting a large party, hire a live band or DJ to keep your party going all night long. For smaller gatherings, create a playlist on your phone and play it through speakers. Bring out board games and other activities for your guests to socialize with one another. When you’re in charge of the planning, try to include a few activities that don’t require guests to leave the party. For instance, bring out a few small trays of snacks that guests can enjoy while lounging in a seating area with friends.

Conclusion on How To Plan A Party Essay

Planning a party is usually a complicated task. There are many things to consider, including the guest list, food, location, entertainment, etc. The key to having a successful party is planning ahead. You should start by figuring out what type of party you want to have – birthday, retirement, wedding – and then list all the things that are needed for that type of party. Once you have this list, you can prioritize the things on your list and start making decisions based on your needs.

FAQ’s on How to Plan A Party

Question 1. What are the steps to plan a party?

Answer: Following are important steps to consider when planning a party:

Plan the date and time for the party
Choose a theme for the party
Decide whether to get a venue
Plan the food and drink
Plan the entertainment for the party
Plan who will be invited to your party

Question 2. How do you start a party?

Answer: A party can be as simple as inviting a few friends over to watch a movie. If you plan on hosting a party, consider planning it out in advance. Begin by sitting down with your friends and writing out the event’s title, date and time, and the guest list. You’ll want to include information about what type of party this will be (family-friendly, formal, camp-out), along with any other details that are important for your guests to know (what snacks will be served, games for kids or adults to play etc).

Question 3. How do I host a good party?

Answer: First off, it is important to think about the type of party you are planning. Is this a birthday party for friends? An anniversary event for the family? Or is it a wedding event? If so, take into account the theme and how your guests will feel. It’s also important to consider your budget. You don’t want to spend too much on food and drinks if you’re hosting an intimate get-together with your close friends. However, if you’re having a wedding reception or other large group event, make sure you have enough space for all of your guests. Guests might feel uncomfortable if they’re packed in like sardines at a smaller gathering.

Question 4. How do you plan a party with no money?

Answer: If you are planning a party and don’t have any money, then get creative! If you have to make things yourself, think about what needs to be done beforehand. It can be a lot of work, but it will save you money and allow for some fun twists. You could try to use things you already have at home and also borrow from family or friends. Most importantly, try to avoid having a party with no food, because it won’t go over well with you or your guests.

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How to Plan a Surprise Birthday Party: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Plan a Surprise Birthday Party: The Steps

Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas

Step 2: Get a Team Together

Step 3: Set a Budget and Decide on a Theme

Step 4: Book Your Vendors

Step 5: Design and Send Out Invitations

Step 6: Finalize the Decoy Plan

Final Thoughts

How To Plan A Surprise Birthday Party In 19 Steps

1. Will They Appreciate It or Not?

2. Float the Idea Around

3. Party Planning Team

4. Form a Plan

7. Date and Time

8. Location

9. Seating Chart

10. Decorations

11. Party Activities

13. Invitations

14. Decoy Plan

15. Prepare Food and Drinks

17. Photographer/Videographer

18. How to Surprise