So, you’re planning a birthday surprise that will make everyone (including birthday individual) speechless, I guess? Well, then, luck is in your hands! Having a perfect birthday surprise is a lot like creating a little plot reveal in an individual’s life. It’s about creating a background, a little intrigue, and keeping everyone in the dark (in a positive way!). But, obviously, how? Let’s break it down for a minute!
1. Begin with a Secret
The success of a birthday surprise lies in its secrecy. You have to keep it under wraps. The less information you can spill, the larger reaction will be when birthday individual enters and sees the surprise. Here are a few tips about keeping your mouth shut about it:
Create a Diversion: In case planning a big one, a birthday party, then birthday individual will have to be kept in a state of unawareness while everyone else is preparing for it. Set a cover for a trip out, a birthday party, etc., and have a buddy cover for them in case birthday individual wants to pop out and join in at any stage during your preparation.
Come Up with an Excuse: In case they’re planning a low-key birthday, inform them that it will simply be a little meal out or a casual meetup. That way, when party comes, it will mean even more!
Avoid Mentioning it in Everyday Conversation: Don’t make a big mouthful out of it in an informal conversation. “So, when must I arrive for your birthday?” Don’t spill it! Put it in a safe, out-of-the-way position in your head and forget about it!
2. Get a Little Sneaky with the Location
The location, location, location. Where your birthday surprise will take place will depend on whatever kind of surprise party you’re having planned.
At Home – The Traditional Birthday Party: Can’t go wrong with a party at your house, in your home, decorated beforehand and with them out for as long as you can possibly manage for it to work for. With a theme, a casual party, or go big, a party at your home will allow for it to be unbelievably intimate and warm and cozy.
Restaurant Birthday Surprise: In case your birthday individual is a fan of a certain restaurant, book a private room, a certain table with them and their best mates in tow. To not raise any suspicions, say that it’s a quiet meal and then have a group of them in store!
Surprise Birthday Getaway: All right, big one, but a real blockbuster one. For an adventure, surprise your birthday individual with a spontaneous vacation (just don’t spill your beans till the eleventh hour!). Perhaps a weekend retreat, a trip out somewhere near and dear, or even a full vacation (but not a peep till the eleventh hour, naturally!)
3. Get Imaginative with Invites
Although a birthday party in secret seems an easy one, getting invitations personalized can make all the difference and make the party an even grander one. Check out a few exciting tips for keeping everyone in anticipation:
Send a Puzzle: Give your birthday person a little puzzle or a riddle to solve for a little challenge for fun. The answer will lead them to your surprise. For example, have a search for a clue in and about town, even in your residence.
Mysterious Invites for Visitors: Get visitors involved in your act and leave them in the dark with mysterious invites. Give them a puzzle, or have them wear an article of attire for no apparent reason. It will raise everyone’s tension, especially when they have no idea why, and then understand it’s for your birthday surprise.
Surprise Video: Don’t send a traditional invitation, make a little tease video inviting them to your party of surprise. Even send them a video in an “Are you ready for your surprise?” message and have them off in wonder. Everyone will buzz, and your birthday person will have no idea about whatever is in store for them.
4. Personalize with Personal Details
The best birthday surprises are ones in which your birthday person feels a superstar. What you desire them to have is a “this is about me” feeling. That’s why including a little personality in your surprise will make them stand out even brighter. It’s about proving that you planned for them!
Personalized Decor: For a party, use personalized decor for a personalized party theme. Perhaps with a little message, a picture, or an in-joke. It can be a sign, a custom cake, or even a background slideshow with a little message of surprise that comes with it.
A Walk down Memory Lane: Decorate with memories, such as photos of years gone, silly memories, and memories of your birthday and silly times together. It’ll make them go warm and gooey inside.
Personalized Gifts: Sure, gifts make any birthday an assured addition, but personalized gifts go one step ahead. Something that tells them that you understand them in and out will surely resonate with them. You can make a personalized T-shirt, a picture book, or even a meaningful one that can be preserved for a long, long time!
5. Arrange a Fun Activity or a Game
Part of why a birthday surprise is such a thrill is the amusement. There’s gotta be a little for everyone to enjoy. Whatever it is, a game, an activity, or a lounge out with a little tunes, make sure there’s a little for everyone that keeps everyone in a high-energy state!
Themed Games: In case it’s a surprise party, why not have a theme party? Something in a direction of a murder-mystery meal, a life-themed challenge of a trivia kind, or even a karaoke competition! Something exciting can involve everyone, and it keeps everyone energized!
DIY Photo Booth: Have a photo booth with a background and a selection of silly props for photos. In case you have a group of guests who love taking selfies, it’ll enable them to save memories of the occasion!
Memory Jar: It’s a sweet activity to make birthday individual feel appreciated. Get everyone to jot down a happy memory with birthday individual, or a sweet message, and then have them say them out loud later during party time.
6. Put Birthday Individual in Suspense
A birthday surprise isn’t all about when party reveals itself—it’s about putting birthday individual in suspense for a duration of time. Here are a few tips for putting them in suspense:
Create False Leads: Misdirect them off track with little minor “fake” turns and twists in anticipation of big reveal. For example, tell them that you’re having a little intimate party, then have a big party pop out at them!
Misdirection with Friends: Get friends in on cover and have them go about life normally, acting as nothing’s happening and acting cool about it. As long as they’re sending them casual messages, chatting them up, etc., then they won’t have one single thought that anything is in motion!
Build Suspense: Don’t say a lot, and drop little tips but don’t go whole hog till eleventh hour. Build that anticipation, and then when it lands, it will knock them off guard!
7. Have a Back-Up
Know adage: it’s best to have a Plan B. Things go wrong (they can and will!). It’s smart move to have a backup in case your big reveal turns out to be a disappointment!
What If They Get Wind? In case birthday boy and birthday girl start getting suspicious, have them thinking that you’re planning a little party, and then when it turns out to be a big one, double whammy, baby!
Weather Problems: In case your big reveal is an outdoors one, have an alternative indoors in case Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate!
Entertainment Back-Up: Humans run out of steam at times, and sometimes games and activity can run them out, too. In case your big reveal involves an outdoors activity such as a scavenger hunt and games, have an alternative indoors, such as a movie, karaoke, or even a dance party
