MAKE IT CUTE

Enlist aid, ASAP

We know you want this to be your deal, but this ain’t no ordinary shindig, sweetie. Whether you summon the assistance of other close friends, your ‘rents or your bestie’s fam, you’re gonna need some help. Be sneaky about your communication. If you’re planning the party with other friends, don’t dive into party plans the second she leaves the lunch table. Remember: You don’t want her to have a clue!

The four W’s

Think: who, what, where and when. You’re gonna need to invite guests, pick a date and location as well as a theme. When it comes to guests, keep in mind that this is her party, so even if you aren’t tight with her pals from pony club, they should still score an invite. Stuck on a location? Wherever it is—your house, her house, the local park, a bowling alley—it should be somewhere where your guests could either hide, or pop out and surprise your girlie when she walks through the door.

Shhh!

Make sure your guests know the party is a surprise. Have them arrive way before the birthday girl—a half hour is usually good, just in case there are habitual latecomers. A few minutes before the birthday girl is due to arrive, have everyone hide. Cars, bikes and other forms of transport should be hidden out of site. Think: in the garage or down the street. Whatever you do, keep your cool. The invite for her to come to the secret party location shouldn’t be an unusual request, but rather a casual suggestion. “Hey, wanna come hang at my house before the movie? We could totally order pizza!”

Surprise!

The kind of surprise you’re going for is up to you. She could walk in to an already rockin’ party as the guest of honor, or she can walk in to an “empty” house and you can all leap out and scream “Surprise!” Whatever your style, make sure that all of your guests are in on the plan.

Rock on!

Once she’s had the shock of a lifetime and hugged you about a zillion times, carry on with the party. Serve her favorite munchies, play her favorite songs and get down, you surprise party-nailin’ diva, you!

by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016