It's just like a regular party only with the element... of surprise!

Just make sure your guest of honor has a good sense of humor and will appreciate being caught off guard.

To begin, select a date for the party.

Then enlist someone to plan a "fake" activity with the guest of honor. This not only throws them off the scent, but now you know that the honoree will be available that day to have their surprise sprung.

Send invitations with clear instructions that the party is a SURPRISE. The time of the party should also be designated at least 30 minutes prior to the guest of honor's arrival.

Also designate a dress code: if your guest of honor will be jeans and sneakers that day, avoid any embarassment by making sure guests don't arrive in fancy party clothes.

Forget any ideas about what your guests might like at the party - center it solidly around food, drinks and activities the guest of honor will really enjoy!

On the Web, check out more party ideas for birthdays, or baby showers with tips & advice on planning a great celebration for a friend or loved one with the extra added element of a good surprise...

Surprise Party - Adult Party Ideas - Winning, visitor-submitted ideas for birthday surprise parties categorized by age from 18th - 80th.

How to Host a Surprise Baby Shower Party - Good tips & advice from the planning stages on up to the final surprise, from Tiny Prints.com

Planning a Surprise Party - Good tips on thinking twice about springing a surprise party, with tips on what can go right and wrong, and the usual pitfalls to avoid.

How to Plan a Surprise Party - First-person account of a surprise party successfully pulled-off, and an extra good tip if you plan to invite young guests - don't tell the kids until absolutely necessary!

Surprise Party Ideas from Evite - Tips, suggestions and helpful hints on party planning and decorations, along with food & drink menus, a music list and of course free e-invitations to send.

Surprise Party Guide - Good, quick tips for unusual ways to make sure that the party is a real surprise from Party-Oz.

also see -> Birthday Party Ideas | Retirement Party Ideas

Baby Shower Ideas