The Timing
Rule # 1 in surprise party ideas: make sure no one blows the surprise. That means ensuring everyone keeps his and her mouth shut prior to the actual event, and making sure everyone arrives on time (ideally before your friend who’s about to be in for a royal surprise). Nothing is worse than having your friend arrive at the same time as a few guests who ruin the surprise because they are being “fashionably late.” Make sure to budget some extra time (an hour to be safe) between the start time and the time you tell the birthday girl to arrive. Worse case scenario, put out some snacks and drinks, and no one will complain they have a little time to mingle before the big reveal.
