How to Throw a Reverse Surprise Party

You would like to throw a surprise party for a special someone. You’ve decided to have it at a friend’s house; however, there is a problem. The friend’s house is in the country and there is no place for guests to hide their cars. A reverse surprise party will solve this problem and make a fun memory.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Invitations

How to Throw a Reverse Surprise Party

1. Fill out the party invitations. In addition to the normal information, such as guest of honor, date, time and location, tell your guests this is a reverse surprise party. They will arrive ‘after’ the guest of honor, pretending to, ‘just be in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by.’

2. Invite the guest of honor to the friend’s house for supper on the night of the party. Arrange for her to arrive about 30 minutes before the other guests.

3. Set up a phone chain. Add all the guests to the chain, arranging for each guest to call another. Once the guest of honor arrives, call the first person on the phone chain. This will prevent guests from arriving before the guest of honor.

4. Behave as if this is an ordinary dinner party. Serve the guest of honor drinks and hors d' oeuvres. Make an excuse about supper taking longer to prepare to give the other guests time to arrive.

5. Act surprised when the other guests begin to arrive. Mention that you were having supper with the guest of honor, but one more person will be fine. Politely offer them drinks and hors d’ oeuvres as well. When all the extra guests have arrived, tell the guest of honor, “Oh, there was something I needed to tell you…SURPRISE!”

Tips & Warnings

• Include a map to the party location. It will keep people from having to call and announce, "I'm lost."