It’s good to have someone else on board who can help plan the party and also advise you on your mom’s likes and dislikes. If your mom doesn’t like surprise parties, brainstorm alternative ways to celebrate your mom.
If you’re celebrating a specific thing, like a birthday or Mother’s Day, try to pick a Saturday night near the date you’re celebrating. Check your mom’s calendar to make sure she doesn’t have any plans that would conflict with the party. If your mom doesn’t have a calendar, ask your dad or one of your mom’s friends to check to make sure the date is okay (make sure you let them know it’s a surprise!)
Make sure to factor in things like the venue, food, drinks, decorations, invitations and cake. If you’re working with a small budget, figure out how many of these things you can do yourself to save money. There may be small ways you can cut costs. Instead of sending out physical invitations, you could try inviting people online via email or social media. You could also consider throwing a potluck to cut down on the costs of catering.
If you’re planning a more intimate party, maybe stick to just immediate family with a few close friends. Ask your dad or one of your mom’s close friends to help you construct the guest list. Make the guest list a month before the party is scheduled to happen.
If it’s a larger party, you may need to rent out space, which will cost money. Look for free spaces in your area. If you belong to a church or synagogue or community center, they may rent out rooms for free for members. Make sure you choose a place where your mom is unlikely to go leading up to the party. If you end up selecting a place that your mom frequents, you will have to find ways to keep her away while setting up the party. This adds an extra layer of complication.
Send out invitations roughly four weeks before the date of the party. Make sure to ask people to RSVP by a certain date so you can get an accurate headcount. Remind people that this is a surprise. You don’t want someone accidentally ruining the party. Make a note on the invite for people to park away from the venue. You don’t want a bunch of cars ruining the surprise. [7] X Research source
If you are planning a party at home or at a venue that allows outside food, make a list of what you want to cook or order. Consider having a potluck. This will take some of the pressure off you to cater the entire party. Plus, people like being able to contribute something to the event. Plan the menu and order any catering you might need four weeks before the party. Decide if you are going to order a cake or make one on your own. A homemade cake can be more sentimental, but it may take more time. If you’re already busy planning a party, ordering a cake may make more sense.
If you want to keep the decorations simple, plan for balloons, streamers and possibly a banner of some kind. If you’re holding the party outside, make sure to decorate with things that won’t get blown around.
Photos are a big plus for a party for your mother. Hang up photographs that showcase her role in the family. Go through old photo albums and find pictures from big vacations, milestones, and events in your family’s history. If you’re tech-savvy, go through old movies and photographs you have on a computer. You can create a short movie to play in the background including photos and videos of your mother. Find decorations that speak to your mom’s interests. For example, if your mom is an avid horseback rider, consider having little horse figurines lining the tables and having horse-themed tablecloths.
Don’t forget to pick up things like cups, plates, napkins and utensils. You can hide these things somewhere in your room so your mom won’t see. If you’re buying lots of food, don’t store it in your family refrigerator. Ask a friend or family member if you can store the perishable party supplies at their house so your mom won’t notice.
Play dumb. If your mom asks if something is going on, say something like, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. " Keep playing dumb and your mom’s suspicion may pass. Try to distract your mom as you plan party events. If your mom has something else going on, she is less likely to notice you sneaking around. You can, for example, have your dad take your mom out to the movies when you need to start gathering decorations.
Make sure the person hanging out with your mom knows to bring her to the party at a certain time. You could also try having your dad take your mom on a date. When they return, the party begins.
Make sure your mom is out of the house before you start cleaning. Prioritize cleaning the bathrooms, living spaces and kitchen. These are the places where people are likely to congregate.
If guests bring presents to the party, group them together on a table. Put on some background music to keep the party from feeling still and silent. It’s a good idea to make a playlist featuring your mom’s favorite songs.
If you want a dramatic surprise, you can go with the classic. However, a low-key surprise can be just as fun for your guest. You can have the party in progress when your mom enters. She’ll be surprised to come home and have friends and family members waiting for her.
If the surprise gets spoiled accidentally, shake it off. Your mom will still be touched that you thought to throw her a party in the first place. Be a good host. Even if you’re upset about the way the party is going, it’s your job to make sure everyone else is having a good time.
