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The first element to keep in mind when throwing a surprise party is the word 'surprise'. All the planning can be unraveled by a phone call or message from the caterer, or well meaning friends or relatives accepting an invitation.

Ultimately, a surprise party is best handled preferably by someone not living with the person who the party is being arranged for. If this can't be avoided, make sure to state on the invitations that any calls/correspondence is to go to a work phone and/or email address.

And while email or sms may seem like the most expedient way of contact, it's also an easy way to get found out. How many of us check emails or messages in front of other people? It's a quick way to get caught.

Direct phone calls and mailed invitations are the best way to ensure that the party remains a surprise.

Food and decorations also need to be thought about. Do you want people to bring a plate, will you handle the food preparation yourself, or do you want the event catered for? Are you going with a theme, or just sticking with some basic balloons and streamers?

Of course, all of this depends on where you are planning on holding the party. If it's at the surprise attendee's home, are you able to get them out of the house? If it's being held somewhere else, how do you plan to get the attendee there? Thinking ahead of all these things will ensure that when it comes to the big day, they party should go off without a hitch.

Finally, when throwing a surprise party, you also need to keep in mind the surprise attendee's taste and preferences. Would they just prefer an intimate dinner with close family and friends, or do they enjoy partying the night away with everyone they know?

There's no point in throwing a surprise party if the attendee is just going to stand there in shock for the entire night, and get no enjoyment from the event.

Learn more about this author, Kris Zelunka.
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