Delight your loved one with a birthday party filled with surprises, laughter, and delicious treats

Whether it’s a milestone celebration for your mum, an elegant soiree for a partner, or a big ol’ knees-up for your best friend, there’s nothing quite like a surprise birthday party. You can’t beat the look of delight as the guest of honour sees all the hard work you’ve put into making their special day extra memorable. But how exactly do you go about planning the perfect party whilst keeping your loved one in the dark?

There are lots of elements that go into throwing a secret celebration. But don’t worry, we’ve put together a guide to help you plan a surprise birthday party that everyone will love. From logistics and invitations to drinks ideas and party favours, here’s everything you need to know…

How to start planning a surprise birthday party

When planning a surprise birthday party, it’s essential to put the guest of honour at the centre of it all. Chances are, you know this person well — well enough to know that they’re the kind of person who enjoys surprises! But it doesn’t hurt to get your detective hat on and suss out their likes and dislikes when it comes to parties.

It’s helpful to start planning your loved one’s birthday bash early. Open up discussions about parties they’ve been to before or sneak in some questions about their favourite cake flavour. By finding out their preferences long before birthday plans are in their own mind, you can prevent them from getting suspicious.

Setting a date and location

The first major step in planning a surprise birthday party is, of course, setting the date. You need to confirm that your loved one is available. Perhaps a mutual friend or family member can help you out by planning a lunch date with the person in question.

Once you know the main guest is available, you can reach out to their friends to ensure others can make it too. It’s helpful to message first, before sending out official invitations. This will save you time and resources.

Where will you hold your celebration? If it’s at the guest of honour’s home, then make sure you have access on the day. And if you want to hire a venue, book with plenty of time. It’s a good idea to visit before paying a deposit so you can make sure it has capacity for your guests and has a suitable layout for your party.

Choosing a theme

Not all parties have to have a theme but it can add an excellent element of fun — and give guests an idea of the dress code. Is there a particular era your friend or loved one adores? From the Roaring Twenties to the Swinging Sixties, going down the retro route can give you plenty of music, outfit, and decoration options.

Alternatively, you could consider a colour theme — how about a classy black and white affair, or your loved one’s favourite colour?

As with all aspects of planning a surprise birthday party, the key is to centre your theme around the birthday celebrator. Always consider what they enjoy, even if it ends up being somewhat obscure to other guests.

Need a little inspiration? Take a look at the following ideas for a starting point:

• A Hollywood soiree – keep things elegant with a formal party. Think: black tie and glamorous dresses, gold sparkles, canapes, and a red carpet centrepiece.

• A chocolate-inspired Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – any literary fan or chocolate connoisseur is sure to appreciate this fun theme.

• A tropical barbecue – this theme is ideal for a summer birthday party. You can decorate with leaves and bright flowers, and provide delicious fruity options.

And if you want to keep things super simple, you can always just give your guests a general dress code: formal or casual.

Surprise birthday invitations

Try to send invitations out with plenty of time to spare so you can prepare enough food and drink for everyone. If you don’t want to send paper invitations, you could use social media to set up an event digitally.

Either way, include the crucial information:

• Date and time
• Location
• Dress code
• Whether or not guests need to bring anything

And make sure you state that the party is a surprise so nobody accidentally lets the cat out of the bag!

Surprise birthday party menu ideas

Food and drink are a central feature of lots of surprise birthday parties. Think about your budget and how much time you have to spend on food preparation on the day. Do you want to provide hot food and serve it at a specific time or set out a cold buffet that guests can enjoy throughout the party?

Here are some surprise birthday party menu ideas to get you started:

Children’s party food buffet

Think back to the classic nibbles of your childhood. Crisps, dips, crudites and cupcakes are all essential features. How about pineapple and cheese on sticks or cocktail sausages? Complete with fizzy pop and serve food on paper plates.

Chocolate-centric chic

For a more grown-up gathering, why not enjoy a chocolate fountain centrepiece? Fill with delectable, high-quality chocolate and let guests dip a variety of sweet and savoury snacks. Prosecco is the perfect drink to accompany this indulgent treat.

Garden party delights

For an outdoor summer party, you might want to consider light nibbles, like cucumber sandwiches, and big batches of punch. Fresh fruit platters are a healthy yet tasty choice. You could also scatter some delectable fruity chocolates around the table.

Winter warmers

Planning a winter surprise birthday party? Keep cosy with hot chocolate or mulled wine and seasonal food. Mince pies are great for a December party, while decadent chocolate cake is perfect for any chilly soiree. You can serve your drinks in urns to keep them warm — guests can help themselves.

When planning your surprise birthday party menu, make sure you take any allergies into account so all your guests can enjoy a dish or two. And don’t forget the birthday cake!

Party favours

Party favours are a nice way to thank your guests for attending. A small token of appreciation, such as one of our Chocolate Selectors or a ribbon-tied bag of Chocolate Gemstones is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Or why not treat your guests to a tipsy miniature?

Whether you go for a simple and sophisticated do or a quirky knees-up, planning a surprise birthday party can be a rewarding experience. And if you’re attending a party, why not take a look at our range of luxurious Birthday Gifts? There’s something for everyone!