By a Pro: Creative Surprise Party Ideas by a Professional

i’m matt james

professional event producer

27 years event-planning experience
Winner of 30 industry awards
Clients include:
Elton John,
Stella McCartney,
Sarah Jessica Parker,
Kevin Spacey……and more

welcome

OPEN BIO

01 MAKE IT SPECIAL

Thoughtful ideas that celebrate the person, focus on the feel-good, and make an occasion feel special

45 years of memories personalized photo book for any age birthday

Reasons We Love You photo poster for a surprise party

Custom 'Reasons We Love You' photo book with friends and family holding signs

'65 Memories for 65 Years' Share a Memory postcards for a surprise birthday party

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02 MAKE IT personal

How to add creative twists and personal touches to create talking points and memorable moments

custom face photo garland banner for a surprise party

Welcome Home custom photo collage party backdrop

man standing next to a custom pinata of his head

custom photo personalized Happy Birthday m&m's for a surprise party

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03 surprise party decorations

How to maximize your budget by concentrating your surprise party decorations in a few key areas

'Welcome Home' surprise party custom photo banner showing photos of the guest of honor

surprise party photo collage in the shape of the numbers 65 on a party dessert table

thai is 40 #oldman spelled out in a yard card in front of house

balloon mosaic letters spelling Mom for party decorations

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04 surprise party activities

How to break the ice, provide conversation-starters, encourage mingling, and create atmosphere

DIY vodka bar with mixers and fruit set up at a surprise party

surprise party guestbook alternative signing poster with photos of the guest of honor 'then and now'

yellow retro telephone audio guest book set up next to an instructions sign inviting party guests to record a message

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05 surprise party food

Why food stations geared towards small bites, tasting plates, and DIY options are better than buffets

Hors d'oeuvres and appetizers arranged in rows on a modern surprise party buffet table / food station

surprise party food presentation ideas: fish salad served in margarita glasses with forks

surprise party hors d'oeuvres: cheese bites served on forks standing vertically

surprise party food ideas: individual portion charcuterie cups

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06 dessert tables

How a dessert table can lend visual spectacle, save time, and maximize budget for a surprise party

personalized custom caricature cookie of a man for a surprise party

peach and gold balloon garland party backdrop for an surprise party dessert table

individual layered party desserts served in disposable shooter glasses with wooden spoons

blue sequin shimmer party backdrop behind an surprise party dessert table

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07 surprise party drinks

Get that professionally-catered look and give traditional drinks a creative twist

custom photo personalized beer bottle labels for surprise party drinks

surprise party drinks ideas: boxwood hedge party drinks bar wall with shelves of self-service drinks for guests to help themselves to

custom photo 'Fun Facts about the guest of hour' surprise party napkins

custom photo edible wafer drinks topper with a photo of the birthday girl floating on a cocktail

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08 surprise party invitations

Why invitations needs to excite, inspire, and give guests something to look forward to

animated digital video surprise party invitations displayed on mobile phone screen

balloon custom printed with surprise party invitation details

custom vinyl record party invitation for a surprise party

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09 surprise party gifts

Avoid uninspiring and clichéd gifts in favor of something that’s unique, meaningful, or a treat

custom bobblehead of a man alongside his photo for a surprise birthday gift

custom personalized comic book for a surprise gift

man standing next to a custom muppet-style puppet of himself

personalized viewmaster reel viewer for a surprise gift

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10 surprise party ideas for men

Surprise party themes, decorations, and ideas aimed at men

'the man, the myth, the legend' custom name surprise party backdrop decorations behind a dessert table

surprise party beer tasting party supplies with bottles of beer in ice buckets

the silver fox custom birthday napkins with grey hair icon

surprise party beer tasting party supplies with a cheese board

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ADVICE FROM A PRO

surprise party tips

Surprise parties are a special occasion, so you need to make an effort!
Avoid the obvious: generic store-bought decorations emblazoned with ‘Surprise!’.
Instead, make everything as personal as possible
Celebrate the person, not just the occasion.
Avoid lame jokes, gag gifts, and clichés.
Instead, concentrate on making them feel loved and appreciated.
Celebrate their life; their background, accomplishments, and all the things that have made them who they are today,
Celebrate who they are; admirable qualities, characteristics everyone loves, and even their weird habits and obsessions that drive people crazy!
Celebrate your relationship with them; take a walk down memory lane, share memories, funny stories, embarrassing photos, amusing anecdotes, fun facts guests may not know, and indulge in a little sentimentality.
Focus on things that are meaningful, because that’s what they’ll remember
I’ll teach you how to design your surprise party like a pro; creating ‘beats’ or ‘moments’ that run throughout the event so guests continue to discover new things as the party unfolds
Think of the guest’s journey in terms of different touch points; arrivals, bar, room décor, food, entertainment etc.
Then, add a creative twist, person touch, or talking point to each
Don’t forget to include activities; things for guests to do that will break the ice, encourage mingling, provide conversation-starters, and create a fun atmosphere that includes everyone.

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MATT’S TIP

in this section

01 Make it special

celebrate the person, not their age

Limit the gag gifts and decorations and focus on thoughtful, feel-good ideas.
Make them feel loved, appreciated, and good about themselves.

AVOID CLICHÉS

Don’t make the common mistake of theming everything around ‘Surprise!’ decorations.
It just makes for an impersonal and unoriginal surprise celebration.
Read my full post with ideas for how to make a surprise special or preview some below

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ideas in this section

share a memory postcards

reasons we love you

photo slideshow

a gift every hour

years of memories letters

‘open when’ letters

through the years photo book

photo collage memory box

reasons we love you photo book

AND MORE

preview

ideas to make it special

Check out this preview of some surprise party ideas to make it special, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

30 memories for 30 years

Invite friends and family to send a postcard sharing a favorite memory of the guest of honor

30th birthday memory postcards for a surprise birthday party

the idea

a gift every hour

Spread the love over an entire day with 12 smaller gifts; one to be opened every hour!

the idea

reasons we love you photo book

Invite friends and family to take photos expressing all the things they love about the guest of honor to collect together in a keepsake photo book to celebrate the occasion

the idea

surprise slideshow

Invite friends and family to contribute photos and videos of the guest of honor to surprise them with an animated slideshow

group of friends watching a backyard slideshow

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ideas to make it special

45 years of memories personalized photo book for any age adult birthday

a stack of numbered '30 years of memory' letters in air mail envelopes for a surprise party

stack of illustrated brown 'Open When...' letter envelopes for different occasions

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in this section

02 Make it personal

add creative twists & personal touches

A surprise party is a special occasion, so you need to make an effort.
Generic decorations from Party City or Amazon won’t cut it.
Cheap, shiny, and mass-produced in China doesn’t exactly say special does it?
It’s the creative twists, clever details, personal touches, talking points, and memorable moments that make a surprise party feel special.
So, focus on customizable party supplies that use cute, funny, or embarrassing old photos of the guest of honor to make them unique.
Read my full post about the party supplies I recommend and learn how to use them to surprise and entertain guests, create photo ops, and make your party memorable.

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ideas in this section

custom photo m&m’s

photo party hats

fan face custom cutouts

custom face banners

fun facts napkins

‘‘then & now photo banners‘

‘through the years’ photo banners

CUSTOM PHOTO WINE/BEER LABELS

life-size talking cutouts

CUSTOM PHOTO BALLOONS

CUSTOM PARTY CUPS

CUSTOM COOKIES

CUSTOM PINATAS

AND MORE

preview

ideas to make it personal

Check out this preview of some surprise party ideas to make it personal, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

custom photo m&m’s

It’s the clever little details that create talking points, so swap regular candy for personalized M&M’s with photos of the guest of honor

the idea

photo party hats

Create custom party hats printed with old photos of the guest of honor from different stages of their life

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follow me on social

Keep up with my latest ideas by following me on social media

the idea

fan face custom cutouts

Create photo ops by providing guests with faces of the guest of honor at different stages of their life

group of people holding custom fan faces of the guest of honor in front of their own faces at a surprise party

the idea

custom face banners

Personalize your party decorations with custom face banners of the guest of honor at different ages

surprise party custom face photo banners showing different photos of a man hung above party dessert table

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ideas to make it personal

custom photo personalized wine bottle labels

This Kid is Turning 45 and Welcome Home custom photo surprise party balloon decorations

Tri-fold custom photo collage display board personalized with the name Cecilia

large styrofoam letters spelling IZZY used as a dessert table base for a birthday party

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in this section

03 surprise party DeCORations

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

Don’t try to dress the entire room/venue, this will spread decorations too thinly.
Instead, keep everything tight and compact, focusing on a few larger displays or ‘clusters’ of decorations in 4 key areas:
Entrance Decor
Welcome Area
Dessert / Buffet Table or Bar Décor
Room Decorations
Open full post to see all decor tips on my surprise party decorations page or preview some of the ideas below

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ideas in this section

custom yard heads

‘through the years’ banners

paper luminaries

life-size talking cutout

‘through the years’ welcome sign

self-service welcome drinks

‘through the years’ party backdrop

photo collage cutouts

paper circle garland backdrops

FUN FACTS BALLOONS

‘THROUGH THE YEARS’ PHOTO GARLANDS

THEN & NOW PHOTO BANNERS

AND MORE

preview

entrance decorations

Entrance decorations need to be welcoming and functional.
Use them to identify the location of the party, direct guests to the entrance, create a warm welcome, and put guests at ease.
The initial moments of a party set the tone and reassure guests, so first impressions matter.

the idea

custom yard heads

Bring a smile to guests’ faces as they arrive with custom yard heads showing the guest of honor at different stages of their life

custom photo yard heads of a mans face arranged on a front lawn outside a house

the idea

‘through the years’ banners

Ensure your entrance stands out while making guests smile with vertical banners showing the guest of honor ‘through the years’

Look Who's Fifty custom photo vertical banners showing the birthday boy 'through the years' hung either side of house door

the idea

paper luminaries

For evening events, give guests a warm welcome by lining the route to your entrance with glowing paper luminaries

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entrance decorations

pink and white balloon garland framing house door entrance

custom birthday yard card spelling out Happy Birthday Eloise outside a house

red fabric aisle runner leading up to venue entrance for an surprise party

pink balloon lined pathway through a park leading to a party entrance

VIEW ENTRANCE DECORATIONS

VIEW ALL DECORATIONS

preview

welcome area

You can’t always greet every guest personally, so create a welcome area to:
greet guests; with signage, decor, and self-service drinks,
entertain; with activities, photo ops, and party favors, and…
manage flow; with directional signage for cloakrooms, bathrooms, table plans, and a gift/card table
This ensures guests feel acknowledged upon arrival and know what to do and where to go.

the idea

life-size talking cutout

Have the guest of honor greet guests at the entrance with a life-size cutout paired with a motion-activated voice recorder

man in a suit standing next to a life-size cutout standee of himself

the idea

‘through the years’ welcome sign

Entertain guests by placing a photo collage showing the guest of honor at different stages of their life on welcome desks or bars

celebrating 65 years surprise birthday party photo collage sign set up on a party drinks table bar

the idea

self-service drinks table

Set up a self-service bar at the entrance with pre-mixed or ready-to-pour drinks that guests can all help themselves to on arrival

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welcome area dEcor

illustrated custom surprise party welcome sign on an easel

Polaroid instant photo guest book and cameras set up on a party table

woman's hand placing a card into a custom wood card box with the name Wilson on it

VIEW WELCOME AREA DECOR

VIEW ALL DECORATIONS

preview

dessert table decor

Maximize your budget by concentrating decorations around a dessert / buffet table or bar to create a focal point.
You’ll get more bang for your buck if you invest your budget in one well-dressed feature wall or large display.
This is better than trying to dress an entire room and spreading decorations too thinly.

the idea

‘through the years’ backdrop

Create a custom backdrop for a dessert/buffet table featuring pictures of the guest of honor ‘through the years’

Welcome Home custom photo surprise party backdrop behind a party dessert table

the idea

photo collage cutouts

Create a tabletop dessert table display with a photo collage cutout showing the guest of honor at different ages

the idea

paper circle garland backdrops

For a soft and delicate surprise party backdrop, these ombré paper circle garlands lend a whimsical touch

blue ombré paper circle garland backdrop for a party buffet table

VIEW MORE

dessert table dEcor

pink sequin shimmer party backdrop behind a dessert table

boxwood hedge party backdrop behind a dessert table for a kid's birthday party

orange fringe party backdrop behind a dessert table at a bridal shower

pink and white paper flower wall surprise party backdrop

VIEW DESSERT TABLE DECOR

VIEW ALL DECORATIONS

preview

room decorations

Consider how a room will look when it’s full of people.
Concentrate on decorating perimeter walls, space above head height, and table décor that adds height.
Add creative twists and personal touches to everyday decorations, such as balloons and banners, to make them more special.
This creates conversation-starters, photo-ops, and talking points to engage and entertain guests while encouraging mingling.

the idea

fun facts balloons

Hang photos with ‘fun facts you may not know about the guest of honor’ from helium balloons to entertain guests

Photos and 'Fun Facts' about the guest of honor hanging from helium balloon strings used as party room decorations

the idea

‘through the years’ photo garlands

Create interactive party decorations by asking guests to bring their favorite pictures of the guest of honor to add to photo garland decorations

surprise birthday party photo garland decorations showing the birthday boy 'Through the Years'

the idea

‘then & now’ photo banners

Give party guests a glimpse of the guest of honor back in the day by decorating walls with ‘Then & Now’ style photo banners

Welcome Home custom 'Then & Now' photo banner decorations hung above party food table

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room decorations

Jessica custom pool float letter birthday party decorations

large number 25 marquee number birthday party decorations

girl standing in front of a birthday party backdrop with a custom neon sign spelling Abbi

too late to die young rude balloon birthday party decorations

VIEW ROOM DECORATIONS

VIEW ALL DECORATIONS

in this section

04 surprise party ACTIVITIES

WHY YOUR PARTY NEEDS ACTIVITIES

Engagement is essential for creating atmosphere.
Icebreakers and conversation-starters facilitate introductions and take the pressure off the host.
Activities encourage circulation, raise the energy, and prevent guests clustering in corners with the people they came with.
Keeping people moving, exploring different areas, and discovering new things creates a lively and fun atmosphere
Most importantly, activities prevent boredom so people leave with something to talk about, share, and remember; they feel as though they’ve had an experience.
See all ideas on my surprise party activities page or preview some below

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ideas in this section

Hello, my name is…stickers

how well do you know the host?

a trip down memory lane

bucket list suggestions

diy cocktail bar

video guestbook

TABLE TOPICS CONVERSATION STARTERS

fun facts balloons

custom pinatas

PHOTO SLIDESHOW

AND MORE

preview

surprise party activities

Check out this preview of some party activities, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all surprise party ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

‘hello my name is…’ stickers

Facilitate introductions and conversations with name tags revealing guest’s ‘Special Talent’, ‘Superhero Power’, or ‘Favorite Sitcom Character’

the idea

guestbook alternative: signing poster

Invite guests to write messages for the guest of honor on a signing poster with ‘Then & Now’ photos to be framed as a keepsake

surprise party custom 'then & now' photo framed signing poster guestbook alternative

the idea

audio guestbook

Bring your guestbook to life and capture authentic and unfiltered voice messages from friends and family to treasure forever

the idea

custom piñata

Create a talking point, memorable moment, and photo op for guests to share with a custom piñata resembling the guest of honor

man standing next to a custom pinata of himself

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surprise party activities

45 Reasons We Love You signing poster guest book alternative for a 45th birthday party

Share a memory cards and sign for a trip down memory lane birthday party activity

How well do you know the birthday girl printable party game

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in this section

05 surprise PARTY FOOD

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T OFFER A BUFFET

Buffet tables are over; they’re old fashioned, sloppy, and recall those nasty ‘all you can eat’ restaurants where the food sits out all day.
Nowadays, it’s all about ‘food stations’ geared towards small bites, tasting plates, and DIY options.
Food stations still let you:
feed large numbers,
offer a range of dishes (so there’s something for everyone; looking at you vegans!),
and keep food service relaxed and informal, so as not to kill the party atmosphere.
The difference being you get to wow guests with the creative, modern, and stylish presentation that comes with mini tasting plates and dessert cups.
As such, the food station contributes to your overall event design and décor.
Learn my simple food styling and presentation tips that will have everyone thinking your party has been professionally catered!
Open full post to see all ideas on my party food ideas page or preview some below

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ideas in this section

food stations

the 80 / 20 rule

groups, rows, & levels

tasting plates & cups

shooter glasses

tasting forks & spoons

pipettes

food in jars

martini glass salads

CHINESE TAKE OUT BOXES

CHARCUTERIE CUPS

AND MORE

preview

surprise party food

Check out this preview of some party food ideas, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all surprise party ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

food stations

Arrange mini appetizer plates, tasting cups, and ‘bites’ in groups, rows, and on multiple levels for a stylish, professionally-catered look

Hors d'oeuvres and appetizers arranged in rows on a modern buffet table / food station

the idea

tasting forks

Add height to your display, make small treats more special, or control portion size for more expensive bites by serving on individual tasting forks

the idea

salad served in glasses

Swap large salad bowls for individual ‘grab and go’ style portions that party guests can eat standing up while mingling

fish salad served in margarita glasses with forks

the idea

charcuterie cups

Charcuterie boards look great…until guests start touching them. Avoid the mess by offering individual ‘grab and go’ cups to eat while mingling

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surprise party food

sliders, mini grilled cheese bites, and miniature shots of beer in mugs

salad served in white chinese takeout style boxes with chopsticks as party food

grilled cheese and tomato bisque party food served in shooter glasses

pasta salad served in a jar as party food ideas

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in this section

06 surprise DESSERT TABLEs

WHY YOU NEED A DESSERT TABLE

Lend visual spectacle and wow factor to room decor.
Maximize budget by making inexpensive or homemade desserts look stylish.
Save time by preparing big-batch desserts in advance to portion on the day.
Presentation can elevate simple, basic, or store-bought treats to make them feel more special.
Entertain, treat, and surprise guests with quirky, unusual, or indulgent bite-size treats.
Accommodates diets, allergies, and intolerances easily with a variety of smaller treats
Maintains atmosphere; encouraging guests to move around and mingle while grazing
Fosters engagement by creating talking-points and photo ops
Minimizes clean-up and clearing by using high quality disposable serving containers
Open full post to see all ideas on my dessert table ideas page or preview some below

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ideas in this section

custom photo m&m’S

CUSTOM PHOTO MACARONS

FREEZE-DRIED ICE CREAM

BOOZY LOLLIPOPS

GOURMET COTTON CANDY

DECORATED CAKESICLES

VINTAGE TEA CAKES

INFUSED STRAWBERRIES

CUSTOM PORTRAIT COOKIES

CUSTOM PHOTO MARSHMALLOWS

COTTON CANDY CAKES

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED BACON

RETRO CANDY

AND MORE

preview

surprise dessert tables

Check out this preview of some dessert table ideas, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all surprise party ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

disposable shooter glasses

Save time and money by making big-batch desserts in advance and serving in individual plastic shooter glasses for a modern and stylish look

mousse and fruit puree dessert served in shooter glasses

the idea

BOOZY LOLLIPOPS

From rosé or mint julep, to Moscow mule or brown sugar & bourbon, these boozy flavors give lollipops a quirkey adult twist

Rosé wine flavored pink lollipops for adults

the idea

custom portrait cookies

Add some wow-factor photo-ops to your dessert table display with hand-painted portrait cookies of the guest of honor

personalized custom portrait cartoon cookies

the idea

donut walls

Make a feature of decorated treats so that they contribute to the overall presentation of your dessert table with these donut walls

donuts arranged on a donut wall display stand

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surprise dessert table ideas

decorated candle apples with donuts, cream, and straws

custom photo macarons printed with a woman's face

green cakesicles with feather and gold leaf decoration

individual fruit salad desserts served in martini glasses on a on party dessert table

OPEN FULL POST

in this section

07 surprise party drinks

GET THAT PROFESSIONALLY-CATERED LOOK

Always create a signature drink; it adds something unique and creates a talking point.
When people get dressed up and go out, they want to discover new things.
So, don’t play it too safe; offer them something unusual.
You can also make traditional drinks more special by adding a creative twist or personal touch to the styling and presentation.
Drinks play a big role in every party,
Your guests are probably going to be carrying one around for most of the night,
So it’s worth making an effort.
Open full post to see all ideas on my party drinks ideas page or preview some below

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ideas in this section

DIY COCKTAIL BAR

PHOTO DRINKS TOPPERS

CUSTOM WINE / BEER LABELS

CHAMPAGNE WALLS

FUN FACTS NAPKINS

EDIBLE DRINKS MARKERS

SIGNATURE DRINKS

MASON JAR COCKTAILS

MILK BOTTLE COCKTAILS

THEMED ICE CUBES

CUSTOM PARTY CUPS

ILLUSTRATED MENUS

AND MORE

preview

surprise party drinks

Check out this preview of some party drink ideas, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all surprise party ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

custom photo drinks toppers

Create talking points and photo ops by styling party drinks with custom edible drinks toppers of the guest of honor

the idea

champagne / cocktail walls

Create a big first impression by offering guests their welcome drink on arrival from a self-service ‘grab and go’ champagne / cocktail wall

boxwood hedge drinks wall with shelves of self-service drinks for surprise party guests to help themselves to

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follow me on social

Keep up with my latest ideas by following me on social media

the idea

custom wine / beer labels

Add a personal touch to wine and beer bottles with custom photo labels showing the guest of honor at different stages of their life

surprise party drinks ideas: custom photo wine and beer bottle labels showing the guest of honor at different stages of their life

the idea

fun facts napkins

Use on bars, buffet, or dessert tables to provide conversation-starters and entertain guests with fun facts about the guest of honor

custom photo 'Fun Facts about the Guest of Honor' surprise welcome home party napkins

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surprise party drinks

custom photo party drinks cups with retro photo of the birthday boy

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08 surprise party INVITATIONS

GIVE GUESTS A REASON TO RSVP

Everybody worries whether people will show up to their party; even the professionals.
Which is why you need to make an effort with your invitations.
If you’re expecting guests to give up their evening, commit weeks in advance, arrange babysitters, buy a gift, get dressed up, and travel across town to celebrate YOUR special occasion….
The invitation needs to say ‘this is a special occasion’
Nowadays, it’s rare to receive personal correspondence through the mail.
So, when a stiff, hand-addressed, luxurious, colored envelope unexpectedly lands on the mat, it instantly feels special.
Invitations set the tone; it’s a glimpse of what’s to come, so it needs to excite and inspire.
It needs to reassure people that they’re going to have fun.
It’s needs to build excitement and give them something to look forward to.
So, it needs to be creative.
Open full post to see all ideas on my party invitations page or preview some below
While many of these invitations are aimed at birthday parties, most can be customized for whatever occasion your surprise party is for.

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ideas in this section

printed balloon invitations

custom video invitations

‘through the years’ photo invites

wood invitations

custom candy bar invites

COOKIE INVITATIONS

TRANSPARENT INVITATIONS

CUSTOM PORTRAIT INVITES

CROSSWORD INVITATIONS

JIGSAW INVITATIONS

COOTIE CATCHER INVITATIONS

CUSTOM NEWSPAPER INVITES

and more

preview

surprise party invitations

Check out this preview of some party invitation ideas, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all surprise party ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

‘through the years’ photo invitation

Bring a smile to guests’ faces by treating them to old photos of the guest of honor ‘through the years’ with a custom photo collage invitation

75th birthday party photo collage invitation showing the birthday girl 'through the years'

the idea

printed balloon invitations

Grab guests’ attention and build excitement by printing your surprise party invitation details onto a balloon with instructions to ‘inflate and save the date’

custom printed photo balloon surprise party invitations

the idea

custom video invitations

Save on printing & postage and avoid lost or delayed mail with an animated custom video surprise party invitation that you can send via Whatsapp, iMessage, Messenger, or email

animated custom video surprise party invitation displayed on mobile phone screens

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surprise party invitations

laser cut stiletto high heel invitations

animated digital video 65th birthday party invitations displayed on mobile phone screen

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09 surprise party GIFTS

AVOID THE OBVIOUS & STEREOTYPICAL

Let’s be honest, most gift websites suck.
They’re typically full of uninspiring, clichéd, or gag gifts that no-one really wants.
Is anyone really excited by personalized grilling tongs or a monogrammed cushion?
And why always so stereotypical?
For men, it’s golf accessories, tools, ties, and grilling equipment.
For women; jewelry boxes, tote bags, photo frames, and engraved glass ornaments. Yawn!
And don’t be fooled that a gift engraved with someone’s name makes it personal.
A truly personal gift is one where real thought has gone into it;
Something you know they’d love but would never treat themselves to,
Something meaningful with sentimental value, or
Something quirky or unique, tailored to the recipient.
Open full post to see all ideas on my surprise gifts page or preview some below.
While most of these gifts are aimed at birthdays, many can be customized for whatever occasion your surprise party is for.

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ideas in this section

custom puppet

custom comic book

custom reel viewer

custom bobblehead

my life story so far

read me when…

NY TIMES BIRTHDAY BOOK

LONG DISTANCE FRIENDSHIP LAMPS

PERSONALIZED STAR MAP

PERSONALIZED POEM

WISHING BALL

CUSTOM PLUSH DOLL

and more

preview

surprise GIFTS

Check out this preview of some gift ideas, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all surprise party ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

custom puppet

For a truly unique and personal gift have a custom Muppet-style puppet made of the guest of honor

woman standing next to a custom muppet-style puppet of herself for a surprise gift

the idea

custom reel viewer

Ask friends an family for photos of their favorite memory of the guest of honor to collect together in a custom reel viewer

the idea

custom comic book

Tell the guest of honor’s life story (so far) by creating a custom comic book featuring photos of them ‘through the years’

the idea

custom bobblehead

A perfect gift for the guest of honor who’s hard to buy for…turn them into a bobblehead!

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surprise gifts

book sculpture of house and tree with a light inside house window

Hand Blown Glass Wishing Ball surprise gift idea

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10 surprise party ideas for men

Make an effort, not a fuss

Men often say they don’t want you to make a big fuss for special occasions.
But that doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t make an effort.
Granted, some men might not care (or even notice!) if the table styling matches the room decorations.
Or if the food and drink are designed to reflect a particular theme.
But whatever the occasion, so you still want a surprise party to feel special.
While you might not need to go all-out on every little detail,
You should still concentrate on making everything as personal as possible.
Start by choosing a simple theme or concept;
such as ‘The Man, the Myth, The Legend’ or a ‘Jack Daniels Whiskey Bash’.
Use this to tie everything together by choosing a few matching party supplies or decorations,
e.g, opt for matching invitations, a party backdrop, and one or two small items that guests will handle, such as custom beer labels, napkins, plates, or cups.
Then add some of the more personalized party ideas, decorations, and activities featured on this page,
especially ones that incorporate cute, funny, or embarrassing old photos of the guest of honor.
It’s these creative twists and personal touches that create talking points that will make your party memorable.
Open full post to see all themes and concepts on my surprise party ideas for men page or preview some of the ideas below

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ideas in this section

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

The Silver Fox

Manly Men Doing manly things

Keep Calm and carry on

Party Like Gatsby

Old Lives Matter

Jack Daniels Whiskey Bash

Rhythm & Brews

and more

preview

surprise party ideas for men

Check out this preview of some party ideas for men, then hit the ‘Open Full Post’ button below to view all surprise party ideas in this section (opens in a new tab).

the idea

The Man, The myth, the legend

Big up the big man with this range of custom surprise ‘The Man, The Myth, The Legend’ party supplies

the idea

beer tasting

Bring it back to basics and lay on his favorite snacks and a selection of new craft beers he hasn’t tried before with a surprise blind beer tasting party kit

the idea

the silver fox

Flattery should help soften the blow of turning a year older with a little help from this range of ‘The Silver Fox’ custom surprise party supplies

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surprise party ideas for men

surprise beer tasting party supplies with bottles of beer in ice buckets

black and gold great gatsby 1930s art deco style custom birthday dessert table backdrop

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Surprise party ideas

Special Surprise Party Ideas

Personalized / Unique Surprise Party Ideas

surprise Party Decorations

surprise Party Activities

surprise Party Food & Drink

surprise Party Dessert Tables

surprise Party Invitations

surprise Party Gifts

Surprise Party Ideas for Men

i’m matt james

professional event producer

welcome

CONTENTS

ON THIS PAGE

01 MAKE IT SPECIAL

02 MAKE IT personal

03 surprise party decorations

04 surprise party activities

05 surprise party food

06 dessert tables

07 surprise party drinks

08 surprise party invitations

09 surprise party gifts

10 surprise party ideas for men

ADVICE FROM A PRO

surprise party tips

MATT’S TIP

in this section

01 Make it special

celebrate the person, not their age

AVOID CLICHÉS

ideas in this section

share a memory postcards

reasons we love you

photo slideshow

a gift every hour

years of memories letters

‘open when’ letters

through the years photo book

photo collage memory box

reasons we love you photo book

AND MORE

preview

ideas to make it special

the idea

30 memories for 30 years

the idea

a gift every hour

the idea

reasons we love you photo book

the idea

surprise slideshow

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ideas to make it special

in this section

02 Make it personal

add creative twists & personal touches

ideas in this section

custom photo m&m’s

photo party hats

fan face custom cutouts

custom face banners

fun facts napkins

‘‘then & now photo banners‘

‘through the years’ photo banners

CUSTOM PHOTO WINE/BEER LABELS

life-size talking cutouts

CUSTOM PHOTO BALLOONS

CUSTOM PARTY CUPS

CUSTOM COOKIES

CUSTOM PINATAS

AND MORE

preview

ideas to make it personal

the idea

custom photo m&m’s

the idea

photo party hats

don’t miss a thing