Good Birthday Surprise Ideas

• Surprise her with a creative celebration idea. Surprise image by Andrey Andreev from Fotolia.com

  Ditch the idea of 50 people jumping out from behind the couch and plan a surprise party with a real creative twist. Target the guest of honor while she is in the middle of something routine to ensure a true element of surprise. Consider the birthday person's personality, hobbies or favorite places when planning the location and type of party that will follow the initial element of surprise.

Kidnap Party

• Kidnap the birthday boy and take him on an adventure to celebrate. Make arrangements for a group of family members or friends to show up and "kidnap" him from his home or office. Blindfold him and drive off to a day of golf, a ball game, concert or a pre-arranged party at an alternate location. Instead of gifts, ask guests to contribute to a ransom payment. Give the birthday boy the cash that is collected so he may buy himself the birthday gift of his choice.

Reverse Surprise Party

• Plan a surprise party in reverse. Invite the birthday girl out for a quiet dinner for two. Invite the party guests to meet you at the restaurant after you have been seated. If the guests trickle in a few at a time, it will keep the element of surprise alive a little bit longer. Once she catches on that more people will be coming, you can keep her guessing who will be next to arrive. Arrange the details with the restaurant ahead of time so they can reserve a large table or separate room for everyone to settle into once all the guests have arrived.

  This type of party can also be held in the home. Tell the birthday girl she will be spending the evening at home watching a movie. Once she is snuggled up with her popcorn, surprise her with a ringing doorbell and a porch full of party guests. Have all the guests meet at once and yell surprise when she opens the door, or plan for the gradual accumulation of party guests. Ask guests to assist by bringing the balloons, food and cake so the birthday girl won't discover these items in the home ahead of time.

Limo Party

• Hire a limousine to pick up the birthday boy at his office at the end of the day. The driver can show up and present him with a letter stating that his birthday celebration has officially begun and he is to get into the limo to proceed. The driver may also provide a change of clothes, if needed. The limousine will drive him to pick up a handful of close friends or family members who will join him on the trip to the final destination. Each friend can add something to the adventure, such as a hint to where the party is headed. The destination can be a someplace where a large group waits to celebrate or a night of bar hopping with just the people in the limousine.