How to Plan A Surprise Birthday Party for Your Senior Parents

Planning a surprise party for your parents can be a great way to show them your appreciation and love. However, it requires careful planning and attention to detail to make sure it goes off without a hitch. 

If you're an only child, you will need to collaborate with your aunts, uncles, or cousins to carry out the plan without arousing suspicion from your parents. If you're with siblings, planning is a little bit easier when everyone's on board.

The great thing about our senior parents is that they're fairly easy to distract because they're so trusting of us, their children! Moreover, the key to the successful planning of a surprise birthday party is teamwork!

Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect surprise party for your parents.

Surprise Birthday Party

1. Set a budget: Before you start planning the party, determine how much you want to spend. This will help you make decisions about the venue, food, decorations, and entertainment.
2.  Choose a date: Consider your parents' schedules and find a date that works well for everyone involved. If you're not sure, try to get a general idea of when they might be free and plan accordingly.
3.  Pick a venue: Depending on the size of the party, you can either host it at your own home or rent a venue. Consider factors like the size, location, and cost when making your decision.
4.  Invite guests: Make a list of people you would like to invite, including close family members, friends, and coworkers. Make sure to give them plenty of notice so they can plan accordingly.
5.  Decide on food and drinks: Choose a menu that your parents will enjoy, whether it's a formal sit-down dinner or a casual buffet. Make sure to consider any dietary restrictions or allergies when planning the menu.
6.  Choose decorations: Decorate the venue to match the theme of the party. You can use balloons, streamers, and other decorations to create a festive atmosphere.
7.  Plan entertainment: Consider hiring a DJ or band to provide music, or arrange games and activities to keep guests entertained. You can also hire a photographer to take photos of the party to commemorate the occasion.
8.  Keep it a secret: This is the most important part of planning a surprise party. Make sure to keep the party a secret from your parents, and ask guests to do the same. You can even consider asking a close family member or friend to act as a decoy and distract your parents on the day of the party.
9.  Plan transportation: If the party is being held at a different location, make sure to arrange transportation for your parents so they don't suspect anything.
10.   Be flexible: Despite your best efforts, things may not always go according to plan. Be flexible and be prepared to make changes as needed.

In conclusion, planning a surprise party for your parents takes a bit of effort, but the end result is well worth it. By following these tips, you can ensure that your parents have a memorable and enjoyable time. Remember to be patient, have fun, and make sure that everything is perfect for your parents.

 

60th (and beyond) Birthday Ideas

Let me begin this post with a narrative about my dream of honoring my mother on her 60th birthday. 5 years ago (2012), my mother celebrated her 60th birthday. I was still working as a virtual assistant then and event planning was only my sideline. I wanted to give my mom a birthday party. Back then, I was alone in shouldering all the expenses since I was the only working among my siblings and my dad went to heaven in 2007. I understood the agony of scrimping all my earnings just so I could orchestrate a simple but memorable birthday celebration of mom. For her 60th birthday celebration, i was able to pool a budget of 20k for food, cake, decors, etc.. with more or less 80 guests estimated.

5 years forward, me and my siblings sort of had a pact to give mom a birthday party every five years after she turned 60. Just last July of this year  2017, we orchestrated another birthday celebration for her 65th birthday this year. This time, I had help from my siblings. 

My mom has a bubbly personality. She is life of the party. So I made sure that the colors of her backdrop will signify a bursting of life that woukd represent her. Orange and green are the perfect colors to describe her. For her 65th birthday, we had a meager budget of 35k inclusive of food, venue, decors, etc.. for estimated 90 guests.

I am very happy seeing my craft in decorating birthday stages improved with time. My budget for these decors never go beyond 5k. I always make sure I only spend what is necessary.

So earlier today, I dressed up Albertino's Restobar for my close friend's mother who is celebrating her 60th birthday. Auntie Yen, is musically inclined so she chose to celebrate her birthday in a restobar. The challenge was to decorate the place with also a limited budget. I had to use whatever existing materials I have and didnt have to buy brand new. I just had to buy some balloons, candles and fresh flowers.

Joan, my ever reliable assistant, helped me set up the place. I loved how it turned out.

There, for five thousand pesos, me and my reliable assistant was able to add flair to a boring looking pub, an empty function hall and ordinary house veranda and made it lively and timely for a party. These are just some of the 60th birthday decorations I can do with a limited budget. I hope I can improve more in the coming years.