How To Plan A Great Surprise Party



Posted: Saturday, September 19, 2009

by Lisa Blair
http://partyplanninglady.com

Of all the types of parties that a host can take on, there is no greater challenge than trying to plan a surprise party. On the other hand, there is no type of party that is more fun to plan and host.  Guests seem to really enjoy the aspect of being in on the surprise and, if the surprise is truly maintained, the honoree is typically thrilled and shocked at the development. As important as good planning is to any party, it is tenfold more vital with surprise party planning, since the host must make all decisions alone.  With dinner party planning, for instance, the host can ask for opinions and preferences. The host must absolutely consider every single aspect of surprise party arrangements beforehand.

At least five to six weeks before the date of the party, the host should prepare invitations and start making arrangements regarding location and food.  If the party is to be held at a private home, parking is a major consideration that must be handled early on, so that the honoree does not arrive at the home only to see a dozen cars parked along the street and in the driveway - that is a dead giveaway. Unlike dinner planning, where the guest list is often designed around a common interest, the guests for a surprise party should all be close to the honoree.  It adds to the surprise element considerably if old or distant friends can be included.

Invitation details are vital to maintaining the surprise aspect.  Unlike dinner party planning, which should always include invitations sent well in advance, surprise party planning invitations can be sent at the last minute to those who are possibly not trustworthy to keep the secret! Guests should be in place at least thirty (and preferably sixty) minutes before the honoree is set to arrive.  It is also a good idea to indicate an 'after the surprise' arrival time for those who need to arrive later.

The very best way to keep the honoree busy and clueless is to have a decoy party.  Enlist a few trusted friends to do some fake dinner party planning, and then bring her or him to the surprise location.  Cell phones and texting are a wonderful tool to let the host know that it is to pass out the noise makers and hide the guests.  Above all, remember that the main focus of surprise party planning is to have fun.  Even if the honoree somehow finds out about the party, the host is still offering a fun time with food and drinks and good company.  Some of the best surprise memories are made from stories about how the cat got out of the bag!

Lisa Blair is a party planning specialist, and takes pride in helping others learn how to plan and host almost any kind of party. To learn more about surprise party planning, and to download her popular new book "Party Planning Secrets Revealed", head over to http://PartyPlanningLady.com now. 

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