Comments on: How to throw a surprise party (and not get caught) http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/ A miscellany of know-it-all-isms by Geoff Sowrey Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:59:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-9339 Geoff Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:16:16 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-9339 Hey Mandy, One word: Friends. This is where you call in his friends to be the distraction. Have them take him out for a "guy" afternoon, or whatever is needed to get him out of the picture. A round of golf, for example, is an ideal thing (mostly because of the time involved) to keep him at bay. Then they can bring him to the hangout afterwards for post-event libation. Hey Mandy,

One word: Friends. This is where you call in his friends to be the distraction. Have them take him out for a “guy” afternoon, or whatever is needed to get him out of the picture. A round of golf, for example, is an ideal thing (mostly because of the time involved) to keep him at bay. Then they can bring him to the hangout afterwards for post-event libation.

]]> By: Mandy http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-9308 Mandy Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:33:40 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-9308 I've got 3 months until my husbands 40th birthday. So far I have inlisted his mom (which is one of his surprises). How do I keep him out of the neighborhood hangout the day of? That's where the party is going to be. I’ve got 3 months until my husbands 40th birthday. So far I have inlisted his mom (which is one of his surprises). How do I keep him out of the neighborhood hangout the day of? That’s where the party is going to be.

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8702 Geoff Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:06:55 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8702 Hey Marie, Try arranging to have a couple of (nearby) friends take him out for drinks. They shouldn't be able to stay out all night, as they have "other plans", so have to drop him off at home (obviously, at a designated time). Hey Marie,

Try arranging to have a couple of (nearby) friends take him out for drinks. They shouldn’t be able to stay out all night, as they have “other plans”, so have to drop him off at home (obviously, at a designated time).

]]> By: Marie http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8701 Marie Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:49:32 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8701 Hi there - I am throwing a surprise 25th birthday party for my boyfriend this weekened. Everything is planned but the party is taking place at his house and I need help getting him out of HIS house. I live about an hour away from him, and I cannot be the one to distract him as I am picking up some of his friends from the airport. Guests will be arriving at 8pm, and I need a few hours to set up for the party. Any suggestions? I thought of having his roomate take him to see Avatar, but I just checked the movie times and it is playing either too early or too late. Thanks! Your help is much appreciated!!! Hi there –

I am throwing a surprise 25th birthday party for my boyfriend this weekened. Everything is planned but the party is taking place at his house and I need help getting him out of HIS house. I live about an hour away from him, and I cannot be the one to distract him as I am picking up some of his friends from the airport. Guests will be arriving at 8pm, and I need a few hours to set up for the party. Any suggestions? I thought of having his roomate take him to see Avatar, but I just checked the movie times and it is playing either too early or too late.

Thanks! Your help is much appreciated!!!

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8513 Geoff Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:05:54 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8513 Hey Christy, What about going to see the first showing of a new movie? Avatar is nearly 3 hours... Hey Christy,

What about going to see the first showing of a new movie? Avatar is nearly 3 hours…

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8512 Geoff Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:04:52 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8512 Oy. Competing parties, one of which is being hosted by the intended surprisee? Sorry, Amanda, but your friend be hooped. You can't do that kind of thing without seriously pissing off the guy throwing his own party. Can you convince your friend to change the date of the party? Oy. Competing parties, one of which is being hosted by the intended surprisee? Sorry, Amanda, but your friend be hooped. You can’t do that kind of thing without seriously pissing off the guy throwing his own party. Can you convince your friend to change the date of the party?

]]> By: Amanda Wynne http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8511 Amanda Wynne Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:46:12 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8511 Okay, so I've been asked to help a friend divert her boyfriend from his surprise party. Ordinarily, it would be no problem, BUT he is throwing a Christmas party at his house that night and I think he may be a little resistant to leaving his house when people may be showing up.... I was thinking my fiancee and I could just ask them to get drinks before the party, but not sure about this idea. Any help would be much appreciated!!! Okay, so I’ve been asked to help a friend divert her boyfriend from his surprise party. Ordinarily, it would be no problem, BUT he is throwing a Christmas party at his house that night and I think he may be a little resistant to leaving his house when people may be showing up…. I was thinking my fiancee and I could just ask them to get drinks before the party, but not sure about this idea. Any help would be much appreciated!!!

]]> By: Christy http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8460 Christy Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:18:50 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8460 So I hope someone can answer this before tomorrow because me and one of my best friends are planning a surprise 18th birthday for one of our good friends. The problem is is his mom needs him out of the house by 2 and at the location by 4:30. we already know how were getting him there, hiding cars, ect. But the problem is he thinks 4 of us are going out to coffee and were driving him since its his birthday and we dont want him to have to drive. But lately he has been pretty get up and go when we all hang out like wanting to go home and since its his birthday he wants to hang out with other people too. (he will be though but he doesnt know :) so we need an idea that keeps him excited and occupied for over 2 hours. We don't really have money to spend and we live near a big city where we could do something. but what? cause remember he's a teenage boy and doesnt want to sit at lunch for 3 hours on his birthday lol Help please! So I hope someone can answer this before tomorrow because me and one of my best friends are planning a surprise 18th birthday for one of our good friends. The problem is is his mom needs him out of the house by 2 and at the location by 4:30. we already know how were getting him there, hiding cars, ect.

But the problem is he thinks 4 of us are going out to coffee and were driving him since its his birthday and we dont want him to have to drive. But lately he has been pretty get up and go when we all hang out like wanting to go home and since its his birthday he wants to hang out with other people too. (he will be though but he doesnt know :)

so we need an idea that keeps him excited and occupied for over 2 hours. We don’t really have money to spend and we live near a big city where we could do something.

but what? cause remember he’s a teenage boy and doesnt want to sit at lunch for 3 hours on his birthday lol

Help please!

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8397 Geoff Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:46:23 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8397 Hi Bianca, One key thing is to never force something. It's true for love, mis-matched screw heads, and parties. You don't want to force something and have it come off badly. Especially if someone else is already planning something. One thing you could work towards in the future is to get more used to talking with parents. ;) Hi Bianca,

One key thing is to never force something. It’s true for love, mis-matched screw heads, and parties. You don’t want to force something and have it come off badly. Especially if someone else is already planning something. One thing you could work towards in the future is to get more used to talking with parents. ;)

]]> By: Bianca http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8394 Bianca Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:00:31 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8394 hi its my friends 13 birthday soon and i'm trying to throw a surprise party, i'm kinda shy around parents so i tried asking her what she wanted to do and she said oh my moms planing it so i said o k who do u ant invited trying to get little hints and shes like my moms planing it so i don't know what to do now hi its my friends 13 birthday soon and i’m trying to throw a surprise party, i’m kinda shy around parents so i tried asking her what she wanted to do and she said oh my moms planing it so i said o k who do u ant invited trying to get little hints and shes like my moms planing it so i don’t know what to do now

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8174 Geoff Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:51:26 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8174 Hi Katrina, Sadly, I'm not much of a party planner for people I don't know, so I don't know what all I can offer for you. About the only thing I can suggest is read through all the comments here (there are LOTS), and see if anything sparks your imagination. In the end, it's your knowledge of your sister (her likes and dislikes) that will make the party a true success. Good luck! Hi Katrina,

Sadly, I’m not much of a party planner for people I don’t know, so I don’t know what all I can offer for you. About the only thing I can suggest is read through all the comments here (there are LOTS), and see if anything sparks your imagination. In the end, it’s your knowledge of your sister (her likes and dislikes) that will make the party a true success.

Good luck!

]]> By: katrina http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8159 katrina Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:20:03 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8159 hi my sister is going to hawi very soon and i want to throw a suprise party for wen she gets back it will be at my house and inviting people is no problem but i need help on ideas on how to plan it like what i could buy for it were gunna turn it into a dance party please help it not that far away hi my sister is going to hawi very soon and i want to throw a suprise party for wen she gets back it will be at my house and inviting people is no problem but i need help on ideas on how to plan it like what i could buy for it were gunna turn it into a dance party please help it not that far away

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8133 Geoff Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:35:33 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8133 Hey Kanesha, There's sadly little way to make people commit to things, so the hardest part of any surprise party is the guests. Hopefully, if they're friends and know it's supposed to be a surprise, it'll be enough. As for music, never dismiss the power of a mix tape ... or a custom song list on your handy iPod. ;) Put together not just good party music, but specifically music your boyfriend likes (especially the dirty little secret songs). All you need then are a pair of speakers loud enough to be heard, and you can usually rent those pretty cheaply if you (or your friends) don't have something. Hey Kanesha,

There’s sadly little way to make people commit to things, so the hardest part of any surprise party is the guests. Hopefully, if they’re friends and know it’s supposed to be a surprise, it’ll be enough.

As for music, never dismiss the power of a mix tape … or a custom song list on your handy iPod. ;) Put together not just good party music, but specifically music your boyfriend likes (especially the dirty little secret songs). All you need then are a pair of speakers loud enough to be heard, and you can usually rent those pretty cheaply if you (or your friends) don’t have something.

]]> By: Kanesha http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8131 Kanesha Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:43:57 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8131 HI, im having a surprise party for my boyfriends 19th birthday.. im having it at a hall on the 13th of november and im having a dj.. and im worried there wont be alot of people... its a private party and i invited like 70 people because i knew alot of them would bring other people, but only 10 people confirmed yes and 20 confirmed maybe..about 10 people confirmed no and the other never confirmed anything yet.. im scared they wont get there invites on facebook and i dont know how too contact them! ..im not even sure i can afford the dj what else could i use for music in a hall with a whole bunch of people?? Need help fast!! HI, im having a surprise party for my boyfriends 19th birthday.. im having it at a hall on the 13th of november and im having a dj.. and im worried there wont be alot of people… its a private party and i invited like 70 people because i knew alot of them would bring other people, but only 10 people confirmed yes and 20 confirmed maybe..about 10 people confirmed no and the other never confirmed anything yet.. im scared they wont get there invites on facebook and i dont know how too contact them! ..im not even sure i can afford the dj what else could i use for music in a hall with a whole bunch of people?? Need help fast!!

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8086 Geoff Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:51:46 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8086 Hey Beth! Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner (I was on vacation), but I'm delighted to hear that plans worked out! Congrats! Hey Beth! Sorry I couldn’t get back to you sooner (I was on vacation), but I’m delighted to hear that plans worked out! Congrats!

]]> By: Beth http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8079 Beth Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:49:53 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8079 Nevermind. We went with a modified version of the cake plan, and it worked. Yay! My sister was so surprised that she screamed, ran out the door, and start bawling. A bit of an extreme reaction! She said she was already having a very emotional day, but they were happy tears and everyone had a wonderful time! Thanks for your tips! Nevermind. We went with a modified version of the cake plan, and it worked. Yay! My sister was so surprised that she screamed, ran out the door, and start bawling. A bit of an extreme reaction! She said she was already having a very emotional day, but they were happy tears and everyone had a wonderful time! Thanks for your tips!

]]> By: Beth http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-8069 Beth Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:36:02 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-8069 Hi Geoff, I'm throwing a surprise party for my sister tonight and everything's set. She thinks the party is going to be hosted at her friend's house, so while she's there decorating, the party guests and I will be at my house, ready to surprise her. The problem is, I don't know how to get her to come back to my house. I was thinking of saying the freezer broke and she needs to come pick up her ice cream cake...but I can easily see her sending someone else to do it so she can keep decorating. What can I do? Hi Geoff,

I’m throwing a surprise party for my sister tonight and everything’s set. She thinks the party is going to be hosted at her friend’s house, so while she’s there decorating, the party guests and I will be at my house, ready to surprise her.

The problem is, I don’t know how to get her to come back to my house. I was thinking of saying the freezer broke and she needs to come pick up her ice cream cake…but I can easily see her sending someone else to do it so she can keep decorating. What can I do?

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-7946 Geoff Sat, 26 Sep 2009 19:49:21 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-7946 Hi Micayla, Here's something to consider: If you're intended victim is surprised and has a good time, then the only person who would know anything not going to plan would be you. If you can live with it, then it's a success. Hi Micayla,

Here’s something to consider: If you’re intended victim is surprised and has a good time, then the only person who would know anything not going to plan would be you. If you can live with it, then it’s a success.

]]> By: micayla http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-7943 micayla Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:10:35 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-7943 i am throwing a surprise for my twin sis i am 13 and it is for her 14th i am very excited but scared i will screa it up tanks this really helped me!!! i am throwing a surprise for my twin sis i am 13 and it is for her 14th i am very excited but scared i will screa it up tanks this really helped me!!!

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/comment-page-4/#comment-7414 Geoff Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:16:37 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-7414 Hi Heathar! You're a very considerate person! 100 lbs is definitely something to celebrate. Yes, the food would definitely be a problem. I suggest browsing sites like The Food Network, or lookup the Moosewood series of cookbooks (most of them are very low-fat, and often vegetarian) for suggestions. Hi Heathar!

You’re a very considerate person! 100 lbs is definitely something to celebrate.

Yes, the food would definitely be a problem. I suggest browsing sites like The Food Network, or lookup the Moosewood series of cookbooks (most of them are very low-fat, and often vegetarian) for suggestions.

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