How to Throw a Surprise Party for a Boyfriend

Let your boyfriend know he's number one with a surprise party.

Surprise your boyfriend with a party that celebrates a promotion, an acceptance to school, his birthday or any other special occasion. The challenge is coming up with a theme, getting the guests to the party and, of course, keeping the whole thing a secret. It takes more than turning off the lights and people hiding in the dark for a successful surprise party. Make his bash extra special with a little careful planning.

Things You'll Need

• Decorations (balloons, streamers, birthday signs, ect.)
• Food (anything you want to make)
• Cake
• Ice Cream

Instructions

1. Research the theme, and relate it to the reason for the party. Surprising your boyfriend at the lake with a picnic, birthday cake, friends and fishing rod is perfect for a birthday party, if your guy likes fishing. Celebrate a promotion with a surprise party at the local luxury hotel. Book a suite where you can bring in your own food. Friends can congratulate your special someone while they nibble on canapes and sip champagne.

2. Select the date and time. Make sure his calendar is open for the date of the party. Consider days and times that aren't obvious. Of course, parties on Friday or Saturday night mean no worries about work the next day. Also consider weekend afternoons, because he certainly won't be expecting a surprise party then. Or tell him you're having a party for one of your girlfriends he doesn't know well. That way, if he hears talk about a party, he won't be expecting it's for him.

3. Design and send out the invitations. Relate the invitation design to the party theme. For example,if you're taking your boyfriend to see his favorite sports team play, write the invitation on a baseball. Make sure you specify in big bold letters that it's a surprise party. If you don't want to risk your boyfriend finding out by seeing the invitation at a friends house, invite the party guests by phone or email.

4. Select the menu. This is more of a challenge than you might think, if the food has to be transported to the party site. Check the site to see if there are any restrictions. If you're going to a sporting event, the stadium may not allow food brought in. You must buy it from the concessionaire's. Public parks often prohibit alcohol consumption. Develop a list of dishes, appetizers, snacks and drinks that are your boyfriend's favorites. Assign a dish to each guest. It doesn't have to be homemade. Another alternative is to hire a caterer to bring all the food to the party site.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have a fake date with your boyfriend on his birthday so he doesn't get upset thinking you forgot about him and decides to go drinking with his buddies.

• Invite someone your boyfriend hasn't seen in a while that lives out of town.

• As with any celebration, drinking and driving don't mix. Arrange for transportation ahead of time, for those guests who have partied a little too hardy.

References

• "Parties that Wow: Setting the Stage for Creative Entertaining"; Jonathan Fong, et al.; 2007)
• "Entertaining;"Martha Stewart: 1998