No matter what the age group, everyone loves to come to a great theme party. However, they can cost a fortune to host. Check out this frugal but memorable theme and trust me your guests will have a blast and it will be the talk if the town for years to come.
Years ago, my mother with the help of two others from my Girl Scout troop got together and plotted a surprise birthday party for me. And it was certainly that. It's a "Come As You Are" party theme! It works for any age group and almost any occasion. In fact, the more people invited the merrier.
Literally, you arrive at, say 7 am on a Saturday morning for example. Knock at the door and invite your guests without warning to gather up what they want to participate in a birthday breakfast party for their friend Here's the catch; In the shower? Grab a towel and robe. Shampoo still in their hair? Oh well! In bed sleeping? Too bad, get them up in their PJs. No matter what condition they happen to be in, out the door you go.
Mine was a breakfast party so the guests also bring a food and or drink item they would cook or bake at the party. However, you could have the party favors available.
This was fantastic fun and we laughed for years after this occasion because as you can well imagine the way my guests arrived was a scream.
Some ideas I have could be a nighttime party for the adult crowd. Knock on the door at 10 pm on any given day. Have them bring a choice of music or any item they want to enlighten the party.
It can be as simple as a card playing party, an after the night before New Years day party with your friends, family , coworkers, a neighborhood barbeque, anniversary or pool party, Super Bowl, or any lighthearted occasion you can think of.
No need for expensive props or decorations because, believe me, your guests will be the center of attention. The best part is your party will be unique and the talk for years.
Have fun with this and drop me a line or two and post pictures so we can all have a laugh.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How can you throw a surprise party without them figuring it out? Especially when you are walking up to a restaurant?
Everyone who is invited to the party has to definitely keep their mouths zipped and show no clues to the person who is going to be surprised.
All guests would need to be present at the restaurant before hand. Then you would go with the person who will be surprised and everyone will be there! Surprise.
I was surprised at my 33rd at a restaurant. My husband had everyone show up and had me arrive 25 minutes late while they all had appetizers and drinks. They were all sat at the very end corner of the restaurant and my husband was distracting me as we walked over by fiddling with my outfit until SURPRISE!!! The biggest part is that everyone is there first and pacified with bites and drinks.
This will take careful planning on your part.
A group of 4th graders will be saying farewell to their young student teacher. I am to help decorate the classroom for a surprise party in her honor. What can I make in advance to put up during lunch hour to make this young lady feel special?
Karen from Roseville, MI
This may sound strange but I think a hand chain would be great. Each student can trace their hand and cut it out of black construction paper and fasten them all together in a chain. This teacher can remember her first group of kids by the hand prints and know that she had a "hand" in their education.
A big banner with an appropriate message and all the children's signatures to put across the blackboard might work. I have seen these with magnets glued to the back and the magnets then hold it to the metal stripping around the blackboard. The banner would make a very nice momento for the student teacher.
I'd say any kind of decoration would be great...but as a teacher (and especially when I was a student teacher) the most meaningful thing to me is (was) notes from students. In all their misspellings, strange grammar, and such--their words are the most meaningful and encouraging.
It's my boyfriend's 21st birthday soon and I am planning him a surprise party at a billiards hall. I was hoping someone would have a suggestion on how to make it better!
Thanks for your time.
By Jenna W.
My daughter want's to have a birthday party with just some friends not a lot. She wants to have girls and boys (just a few). She loves to shop and watch movies! She doesn't know about any of this. I want it to be a surprise for her. Any suggestions?
By Ellisa L.
I would rent movies she and her friends would like and have popcorn; movie style snacks, etc. Ask her friends who are invited about ideas! May be start with her favourite dinner, then have the movie, or send them to a theatre. Also you could set up ice cream with a lot of sprinkles etc, let them make their own sundaes.
I am planning a surprise 17th birthday party for my best friend, who is a girl, and I have no clue on what kind of things to do. So far I have started making the invites and the theme will be pink and black. Her mum knows and will make sure she is wearing pink and black that day! It is going to be from 11.30am till 3.30pm. So if you guys have any ideas on what we can do? No alcohol. She loves dancing, but not all her friends do.
By PartyPlanner from New Zealand
Since she likes dancing, I'd incorporate that into her party; afterall, it is for her. Also, play her favorite music in the background when not dancing. If it's games to play some of the time, make it really fun with a list of things the birthday gal loves and ask her friends questions about her to see how many know her well. The one with the most right answers gets a prize.
I'm planning a surprise party on a very tight budget. It's going to be a BBQ with volleyball. I need advice on cheap favors, food, and paperware for about 150 people. Thanks.
By auntietay from Spokane, WA
If you have a Dollar Tree nearby, they have a very large party section, and everything is a dollar.
You didn't say what kind of surprise party; birthday, anniversary, moving, job promotion, etc. etc. That would determine what kind of favors you might have. A paper, retail supplies warehouse is a great place to find bulk plates napkins, gift boxes, bags, etc. at awesome prices. Also Costco for plates, napkins, "silver" and foods.
When you say what kind of party I will gladly let you know of some fun favor ideas, that are of reasonable cost. The only kind I use. Just need to be clever and appropriate.
My father and mother -inlaw is going to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on 15 feb, they are planning to celebrate by having dinner in hotel accompained wid 15 to 20 members .i want you to give suggestion what surprise can be given to them by their childrens and what more fun can be done?
My friend is going to be 21 on the 29th of October. We all are planning some good stuff as a surprise. Please give me some ideas. ASAP
By pppp
I'm planning on throwing a surprise party for my friend who is turning 15, and I have 2 months time to plan, but I'm desperate for some ideas. I've got a budget, so nothing too expensive. Boys will be coming, so it can't be something too girlie. It will be held at my house, so I've got limited space.
By Rosie
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I'm planning a surprise party for my Mom's 50th birthday. She's a good person, but a little more reserved than some.