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 Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:27:17 +0000 hourly 1 By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-21776 Geoff Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:28:46 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-21776 Hi Lauren, I'm sorry if this is too late to help you! I wasn't watching my comments closely enough. There is no such thing as "too small a group". A group of 2 is still a group, and it's still great to surprise someone with even a small party! Hi Lauren,

I’m sorry if this is too late to help you! I wasn’t watching my comments closely enough.

There is no such thing as “too small a group”. A group of 2 is still a group, and it’s still great to surprise someone with even a small party!

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-21775 Geoff Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:27:24 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-21775 Hi Bree! Sorry for the extreme delay in replying. It's been a rough month... Well, you could try something like a community hall? The rates are usually low (much lower than hotels). Otherwise, try to find a restaurant with a (large) private room. Then you get privacy free with your meal! Hi Bree!

Sorry for the extreme delay in replying. It’s been a rough month…

Well, you could try something like a community hall? The rates are usually low (much lower than hotels). Otherwise, try to find a restaurant with a (large) private room. Then you get privacy free with your meal!

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-21774 Geoff Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:24:51 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-21774 Hi Tina! That's a tough one. Normally the rule is "involve family" so they don't schedule something inadvertently. I guess there's a question, though -- how "reliable" is the other daughter-in-law? Notably, could you get her REALLY involved in the execution of this party? If you let her take some ownership, she might keep more quiet. Otherwise, might be best to not involve her at all, and keep her utterly in the dark, and let her husband know the details instead. Then it's less likely she'll blurt anything out she's not supposed to. Hi Tina!

That’s a tough one. Normally the rule is “involve family” so they don’t schedule something inadvertently. I guess there’s a question, though — how “reliable” is the other daughter-in-law? Notably, could you get her REALLY involved in the execution of this party? If you let her take some ownership, she might keep more quiet.

Otherwise, might be best to not involve her at all, and keep her utterly in the dark, and let her husband know the details instead. Then it’s less likely she’ll blurt anything out she’s not supposed to.

]]> By: tina http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-21359 tina Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:28:26 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-21359 Im trying to plan a pretty large outdoor surprise party for my mother inlaw. Im still early in my planning but have a large issue that could reck the whole thing! Her other Daughter inlaw is known for spilling the beans! Im not sure how to keep her out of the loop and not make anyone mad and dont want to put all my time any money in it just for it to get messed up! Part of me wants to through in the towel before i begin but feel she deserves a great party for being the only 1 in the family that has ever had a party for others that didnt involve a church hall and cheese and crackers! HELP!!!!!! Im trying to plan a pretty large outdoor surprise party for my mother inlaw. Im still early in my planning but have a large issue that could reck the whole thing! Her other Daughter inlaw is known for spilling the beans! Im not sure how to keep her out of the loop and not make anyone mad and dont want to put all my time any money in it just for it to get messed up! Part of me wants to through in the towel before i begin but feel she deserves a great party for being the only 1 in the family that has ever had a party for others that didnt involve a church hall and cheese and crackers! HELP!!!!!!

]]> By: Lauren http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-20725 Lauren Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:17:52 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-20725 My mom just turned 50 a couple days ago and I was away at college on the day. I had planned on having a surprise party this Saturday with about 40-50 people. However, she decided to have a bunch of family out for dinner on her actual birthday, and now some of my family can't come to this one anymore. Now it is about 18-20 people...is that too small of a group? I only have a day to cancel it or to keep on going and order food and such. The only positive is that she totally won't be expecting this since she just had people come to her birthday dinner (which I couldn't tell her to cancel without being obvious/rude). My mom just turned 50 a couple days ago and I was away at college on the day. I had planned on having a surprise party this Saturday with about 40-50 people. However, she decided to have a bunch of family out for dinner on her actual birthday, and now some of my family can’t come to this one anymore. Now it is about 18-20 people…is that too small of a group? I only have a day to cancel it or to keep on going and order food and such. The only positive is that she totally won’t be expecting this since she just had people come to her birthday dinner (which I couldn’t tell her to cancel without being obvious/rude).

]]> By: Bree http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-20434 Bree Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:49:44 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-20434 Hi! Your tips are very helpful! I'm planning a surprise party with a couple other friends for my best friend's 17th birthday. The main problem is the location. We want to invite about 30 people, but aren't sure where to hold the party. We're afraid our houses are too small and it is too cold to hold the party outdoors. Any good ideas on where we can have it? Preferably something cheap. Thank you :) Hi! Your tips are very helpful! I’m planning a surprise party with a couple other friends for my best friend’s 17th birthday. The main problem is the location. We want to invite about 30 people, but aren’t sure where to hold the party. We’re afraid our houses are too small and it is too cold to hold the party outdoors. Any good ideas on where we can have it? Preferably something cheap. Thank you :)

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-20020 Geoff Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:07:01 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-20020 Don't visit her any more/less than you do now. Any significant change in behaviour will trigger a "what's going on" thought. She might not think it's a party, but she could start thinking something's wrong (with you) and start asking questions. The key thing here is: avoid any situation that would cause questions to be asked. ;) Don’t visit her any more/less than you do now. Any significant change in behaviour will trigger a “what’s going on” thought. She might not think it’s a party, but she could start thinking something’s wrong (with you) and start asking questions.

The key thing here is: avoid any situation that would cause questions to be asked. ;)

]]> By: fetsssss http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19991 fetsssss Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:43:43 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19991 Do you think I should visit her often to help trick her into thinking nothing is going on? Do you think I should visit her often to help trick her into thinking nothing is going on?

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19891 Geoff Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:01:08 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19891 Tough call, Fetsssss, you've got yourself a doozy of a challenge, there. I'd suggest that you start with the other faculty members. Assuming they're not "close" friends, they are at least people your teacher worked with (and likely has a decent relationship with). With luck, one or more of them will know of other friends, too, and that should help dig into the chain a bit more. You may, however, hit a point where you can't find the rest of the friends because the circles are completely unconnected. That's when you'll need to rely on the husband (and hope he has connectivity with those circles). Work the network as much as you can to find everyone. Just make sure you swear everyone to secrecy! Tough call, Fetsssss, you’ve got yourself a doozy of a challenge, there.

I’d suggest that you start with the other faculty members. Assuming they’re not “close” friends, they are at least people your teacher worked with (and likely has a decent relationship with). With luck, one or more of them will know of other friends, too, and that should help dig into the chain a bit more. You may, however, hit a point where you can’t find the rest of the friends because the circles are completely unconnected. That’s when you’ll need to rely on the husband (and hope he has connectivity with those circles). Work the network as much as you can to find everyone. Just make sure you swear everyone to secrecy!

]]> By: fetsssss http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19860 fetsssss Sun, 27 Nov 2011 03:01:04 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19860 Hello I need a fair bit of help organizing a surprise party for an old high school teacher. I am in university and I don't really know any of her friends, other than her husband (who I don;t know well, but I figure I will need his help) and other staff members. What should I do? Hello

I need a fair bit of help organizing a surprise party for an old high school teacher. I am in university and I don’t really know any of her friends, other than her husband (who I don;t know well, but I figure I will need his help) and other staff members. What should I do?

]]> By: joelhewittgudginpascale http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19258 joelhewittgudginpascale Sun, 13 Nov 2011 09:54:32 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19258 this website was very usefull im eleven and i seting a suprise party for mum but mum or dad dont know ive got loads of people going its gunna be a blast (she has finished a ducan diet) this website was very usefull im eleven and i seting a suprise party for mum but mum or dad dont know ive got loads of people going its gunna be a blast (she has finished a ducan diet)

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19023 Geoff Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:45:30 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19023 Hey Alicia! Oy vey, you're ambitious! One surprise party is hard enough, but you want to do two ON THE SAME DAY? Here's the way I'd try to approach it: set up both parties in two different places. That way you needn't worry about trying to hide decorations at different places. So, say, one at a community hall, and another at a restaurant that has a private room. Then enlist the help of two people who'd be going to both parties, and as them to leave the anniversary party early to decorate the private room at the restaurant. It doesn't need to be anything fancy, by any means! Heck, they might even just be able to go an hour early to the restaurant, depending on how you've done it. Next, get your dad in the loop for the birthday surprise party, and get him involved. (You'll find the help is also appreciated.) When he sees the surprise at the anniversary, pull him aside and let him know that the birthday surprise is still on, and that the anniversary surprise is additional. (Otherwise, he might inadvertently spill the beans.) Have your dad be the one to suggest to your mom that they go out for a nice, quiet dinner alone. Even have him "make reservations" so it sounds totally planned and plausible. (At this point, get the restaurant involved, too, so that they know the reservation is really a surprise, and to take them to the private room, where everyone should be gathered.) But. That still sounds like a tonne of work. You're definitely going to need the time until June to get it all planned out. ;) Good luck! Hey Alicia!

Oy vey, you’re ambitious! One surprise party is hard enough, but you want to do two ON THE SAME DAY?

Here’s the way I’d try to approach it: set up both parties in two different places. That way you needn’t worry about trying to hide decorations at different places. So, say, one at a community hall, and another at a restaurant that has a private room. Then enlist the help of two people who’d be going to both parties, and as them to leave the anniversary party early to decorate the private room at the restaurant. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy, by any means! Heck, they might even just be able to go an hour early to the restaurant, depending on how you’ve done it.

Next, get your dad in the loop for the birthday surprise party, and get him involved. (You’ll find the help is also appreciated.) When he sees the surprise at the anniversary, pull him aside and let him know that the birthday surprise is still on, and that the anniversary surprise is additional. (Otherwise, he might inadvertently spill the beans.) Have your dad be the one to suggest to your mom that they go out for a nice, quiet dinner alone. Even have him “make reservations” so it sounds totally planned and plausible. (At this point, get the restaurant involved, too, so that they know the reservation is really a surprise, and to take them to the private room, where everyone should be gathered.)

But.

That still sounds like a tonne of work. You’re definitely going to need the time until June to get it all planned out. ;) Good luck!

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19022 Geoff Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:28:51 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-19022 Hi Jessica! Sorry for the delay. You're in a tough spot. You want to throw a party for a subset of your cabin, and (using these words specifically) actively exclude others. I understand the reasons why, don't get me wrong, but you're begging for animosity. You throw that party on the first night, and you're going to have some angry cabinmates for the rest of your stay. I know it's not really quite what you want, but I'd consider inviting them. If they don't want to come, then you could easily arrange for them to be in another place. But at least offer the olive branch first and see where it goes. Hi Jessica!

Sorry for the delay. You’re in a tough spot. You want to throw a party for a subset of your cabin, and (using these words specifically) actively exclude others. I understand the reasons why, don’t get me wrong, but you’re begging for animosity. You throw that party on the first night, and you’re going to have some angry cabinmates for the rest of your stay. I know it’s not really quite what you want, but I’d consider inviting them. If they don’t want to come, then you could easily arrange for them to be in another place. But at least offer the olive branch first and see where it goes.

]]> By: jessica http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18996 jessica Tue, 08 Nov 2011 08:56:29 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18996 Hey! This website is awesome! Especially all the comments u sound like quite an expert! Me and one of my best friends want to throw a surprise party for one of our friends cuz her bday is the week after school ends…. We’re all at school camp on the last day of school and thought it would be totally awesome if we could throw her a party on the first night of camp-(sneak into our cabin and decorate it up, bring cake and lollies etc. with us)-with the other girls that hang out in our group…. Problem is that there are 6 of us (including our victim, us and the others) but the cabins sleep 10. We really, really wanted it to just be a cool hangout time for us but a cabin of 10 means we have to ‘invite’ others too…. We still want to do it and we know that we could get a teachers permission easily, but what if there’s a bit of conflict between the other people and our group?- cuz some of us girls are a bit protective over each other Thx tons! jess Hey!
This website is awesome! Especially all the comments u sound like quite an expert!

Me and one of my best friends want to throw a surprise party for one of our friends cuz her bday is the week after school ends…. We’re all at school camp on the last day of school and thought it would be totally awesome if we could throw her a party on the first night of camp-(sneak into our cabin and decorate it up, bring cake and lollies etc. with us)-with the other girls that hang out in our group…. Problem is that there are 6 of us (including our victim, us and the others) but the cabins sleep 10. We really, really wanted it to just be a cool hangout time for us but a cabin of 10 means we have to ‘invite’ others too…. We still want to do it and we know that we could get a teachers permission easily, but what if there’s a bit of conflict between the other people and our group?- cuz some of us girls are a bit protective over each other

Thx tons!
jess

]]> By: Alicia http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18989 Alicia Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:01:14 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18989 Hello Geoff, This website is great and has been very helpful. I am planning a throwing a surprise party but its going to be a big one. My mom turns 50 in May and than its my parents 25th wedding anniversary in June. I was hoping on doing both parties the same day but different times. I am prob going to do the anniversary part early afternoon have mostly family there with light snacks.... than go for dinner with a small amount and than back to venue for the birthday party. My problem is getting my parents to the venue both times and leaving the resturaunt on time. I also want to have my dad involved for her birthday party because i know he wants to plan something for her as well. Also Im not to sure on how to hide all the decoration for the second party so that its an easy set up. And how long in advance is the best to send out invitations for something like this? Also any other advice would be great and appreciated.... Thank YOU! Hello Geoff,
This website is great and has been very helpful.
I am planning a throwing a surprise party but its going to be a big one. My mom turns 50 in May and than its my parents 25th wedding anniversary in June. I was hoping on doing both parties the same day but different times. I am prob going to do the anniversary part early afternoon have mostly family there with light snacks…. than go for dinner with a small amount and than back to venue for the birthday party. My problem is getting my parents to the venue both times and leaving the resturaunt on time. I also want to have my dad involved for her birthday party because i know he wants to plan something for her as well.

Also Im not to sure on how to hide all the decoration for the second party so that its an easy set up.

And how long in advance is the best to send out invitations for something like this?

Also any other advice would be great and appreciated….

Thank YOU!

]]> By: jessica http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18912 jessica Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:50:58 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18912 Hey! This website is awesome! Especially all the comments :D u sound like quite an expert! Me and one of my best friends want to throw a surprise party for one of our friends cuz her bday is the week after school ends.... We're all at school camp on the last day of school and thought it would be totally awesome if we could throw her a party on the first night of camp-(sneak into our cabin and decorate it up, bring cake and lollies etc. with us)-with the other girls that hang out in our group.... Problem is that there are 6 of us (including our victim, us and the others) but the cabins sleep 10. We really, really wanted it to just be a cool hangout time for us but a cabin of 10 means we have to 'invite' others too.... We still want to do it and we know that we could get a teachers permission easily, but what if there's a bit of conflict between the other people and our group?- cuz some of us girls are a bit protective over each other :P Thx tons! jess Hey!
This website is awesome! Especially all the comments :D u sound like quite an expert!

Me and one of my best friends want to throw a surprise party for one of our friends cuz her bday is the week after school ends…. We’re all at school camp on the last day of school and thought it would be totally awesome if we could throw her a party on the first night of camp-(sneak into our cabin and decorate it up, bring cake and lollies etc. with us)-with the other girls that hang out in our group…. Problem is that there are 6 of us (including our victim, us and the others) but the cabins sleep 10. We really, really wanted it to just be a cool hangout time for us but a cabin of 10 means we have to ‘invite’ others too…. We still want to do it and we know that we could get a teachers permission easily, but what if there’s a bit of conflict between the other people and our group?- cuz some of us girls are a bit protective over each other :P

Thx tons!
jess

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18607 Geoff Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:08:31 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18607 Sorry for the delay!! At the firehall? Thats a new one for me... Why not ask some of the firefighters to go rescue her and bring her over? Should give her a bit of a thrill! Sorry for the delay!!

At the firehall? Thats a new one for me… Why not ask some of the firefighters to go rescue her and bring her over? Should give her a bit of a thrill!

]]> By: shawna http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18592 shawna Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:45:00 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18592 Really need some help! My grandmother's surprise birthday party is this Saturday. Everything has already been planned (this is a pretty big party), but there is one problem. The party is at the fire station hall. How do I get her there? Really need some help! My grandmother’s surprise birthday party is this Saturday. Everything has already been planned (this is a pretty big party), but there is one problem. The party is at the fire station hall. How do I get her there?

]]> By: Geoff http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18369 Geoff Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:22:10 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18369 Hi Keli! Well, you're already on a good track for ideas! Because he knows about the party, the real surprise will be the announcement. So make sure it's not something he'd expect. The singing telegram is good because it's not overdone -- most people wouldn't expect it. Special guests are good, too, especially people he may not have seen in a long time, or people who live far away. Also consider a band that comes over to play a couple of songs? (If it's sort of music, imagine a Ramines tribute band singing "Happy Birthday"..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhKQKLiHxAw). Hi Keli!

Well, you’re already on a good track for ideas! Because he knows about the party, the real surprise will be the announcement. So make sure it’s not something he’d expect. The singing telegram is good because it’s not overdone — most people wouldn’t expect it. Special guests are good, too, especially people he may not have seen in a long time, or people who live far away. Also consider a band that comes over to play a couple of songs? (If it’s sort of music, imagine a Ramines tribute band singing “Happy Birthday”..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhKQKLiHxAw).

]]> By: Keli http://www.sowrey.org/2004/04/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18330 Keli Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:41:05 +0000 http://www.sowrey.org/index.php/2004/04/27/how-to-throw-a-surprise-party-and-not-get-caught/#comment-18330 Every year my husband and I have a Halloween party inviting all our friends and family. Well, my husband turned 40 2 weeks ago and our Halloween party is secretly his surprise birthday party. My husband knows about the party, just not that it's a surprise for his birthday. Any ideas on how we can incorporate the surprise factor? People will dress up and arrive as usual & I'm hoping maybe to have a surprise guest or maybe even a singing telegram reveal the surprise. Any ideas you have are appreciated!! Thanks! Every year my husband and I have a Halloween party inviting all our friends and family. Well, my husband turned 40 2 weeks ago and our Halloween party is secretly his surprise birthday party. My husband knows about the party, just not that it’s a surprise for his birthday. Any ideas on how we can incorporate the surprise factor? People will dress up and arrive as usual & I’m hoping maybe to have a surprise guest or maybe even a singing telegram reveal the surprise. Any ideas you have are appreciated!! Thanks!

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