This friday night I'm doing a surprise party for my Aunt n Uncle, organised by one of my cousins. It should be a good night as we've managed to get in touch with a few people neither of them have seen for decades.

In the past at surprise parties I've done things like a This Is Your Life theme etc, but was wondering whether any of you have any other good idea's for surprise parties?

Communication:

EG: Lookouts for when the surprise party "guests of honour" are "just leaving", "just Arriving" etc,etc. I've seen many a surprise bash DE-surprised by the birthday person/anniversary couple inadvertently spotting one of their friends just nipping back from the loo, or the bar etc. Posting lookouts reduces the likelihood of this party pooper dramatically.

Also, making sure that if its the traditional "Lights on, and everyone yells -surprise-" that everyone knows thats whats supposed to happen.

Heres an idea which I saw executed perfectly a couple of months back...

The couple think that they're simply going out for a meal for two at the same venue as the party, they arrive at the venue, get treated just like a "table for 2" eg: seated, greeted and even their drinks orders taken at the table for 2... this way...if either of the two suspected that something else might be going on...they're lulled into a false sense of "Oh ok then, it really was just a table for 2 then.".... the waiter brings the drinks but spills something over the table (only) and out of courtesy offers to move the couple to the main, lavishly redecorated grand dining room... which he leads them to...surprise, surprise, its actually the function room.

Just some ideas...some are very dependant on venue and how much of a surprise its supposed to be.

You can't beat a good divertion!

On a similar idea....if possible, introduce a very small gathering (family) around the guests of honour and 'play the occasion down'....but then lead them to the waiting reception! SURPRISE!

As for 'fun' during the evening, OTT big name badges and spoof 'This is your life' or 'Mr & Mrs' style themes can be a great larf.

'Characters' from soap-land with short 'lines to read' to the audience can be amusing.....it can bring out the most amusing and comical antics.

Short and sweet is ideal....not to drag. This way, whatevr you do in a 3-5 minute slot can be very memorable after the hello's and greetings / half way into the proceedings.

Novelty Spoof all-time-favorite songs - Prodigy, Sex Pistols, Mrs Mills, Je Taime, Sean Paul, etc can crop up during the night for ongoing giggles.

Scenes from films....(add wigs and imagination)....Grease - You're The One That I Want, Dirty Dancing - Time Of My Life, Singing in the Rain....beware of water splash!!!

Produce a sheet for a game of Twister and threaten to expose 'the skeletons in the cupboard' of who was the 'Twister champions of yester-year'.

Limbo is great for everyone to participate in, old time musical sing-a-long (where's yer curly tash Esk?) advert singalongs (Murry mints, Fairy Liquid, etc) if you want to be alittle cheeky.

Or - forget all that and become a Chippendale for the night.

There is nothing better than the family occasion to have a great time. Hope it goes well.

Cheers to Gary & Dan for your suggestions

Well, the party I mentioned above was superb and we managed to pull it off without either of my aunt or uncle suspecting a thing and the look on their faces when they entered the hall was a treat

I'm doing another surprise party this friday night, this time a 40th birthday. Should be a good night as the birthday boy plus most of his mates are all Caister regulars and the wife of the birthday boy, who is organising the party has requested loads of soul/funk

...but!... at the surprise party last week, my mind went blank at the start, and the only song I could think of to play when the surprise guests entered the room was Cliff-Congratulations
In this case, obviously "Happy Birthday" springs to mind, but anyone have any better suggestions for a good song to play when the birthday boy enters the room?
Maybe "Oldest swinger in town"

Young at heart - The Bluebells

Vinnie

How about 18 'til I die if the birthday boy is alively 40, not an old 40. (I've met a few who become their fathers far too soon)



By the way, a surprise party we did nearly got scuppered at the start when guest of honour spotted our vehicle, which she knew.


Luckily her other half had said it was a party...... for a close friend. If your transport is distinctive try to park inconspicuosly after unloading.

Tell the crowd what you want them to do......whistle, clap, cheer, arms in the air, short skirts, jumpers for goal poasts, etc.....Ace Of Spades.
Works a treeeeet!!!!! It's mad but if it reflects the personality of the birthday boy or girl!!!!
The River Boat Song is quite good in this 'style'

Or Simply The Best, Celebration, They Long To Be Close To You, Congratulations, Hot Stuff, Theme from Minder, Dr Who Theme (a real 'p' take), I found Love, Nite Fever, Sweet Home Chicago (quite long but nice for later entrance background), I Should Be So Lucky, The One And Only (Chesney)