AboutJohn Gordon Expertise Stuck for ideas? I can help with ideas on theming, entertainment and anything creative. I specialise in the unusual and have created party experiences for small gatherings right up to large international corporations. I have a great original idea that is totally flexible and personalises the party in a way that touches people.
Experience I have been involved with Corporate and Private Events for many years. I both organise and provide entertainment at a wide range from house parties, anniversaries, celebrations, fun days, conferences, seminars, workshops and street parties.
Expert: John Gordon Date: 10/16/2007 Subject: New husband's 23rd Surprise Birthday Party
Question Shortly after our wedding, I asked my husband what he wanted to do for his birthday this year - he responded by saying "there's nothing special about a 23rd birthday." Immediately I started planning his surprise party to make it a special birthday.
Most of the plans have been made. It will be the Saturday before his birthday. When he was in college, he was a Fraternity President and he is still close to all of his "brothers" - so I contacted the current president. I am having the party at the Frat house with all of our friends that I can contact. I've already sent the invitations, bought most of the decorations, and planned out the food and drinks. He is not easily surprised and is very hard to keep secrets from so I have been working EXTRA hard to keep this party on the "DL". What I'm having a problem with is the entertainment. I'll have a special mixed CD created for that night, probably pop in some Comedy movies, and of course there will be "beer-pong" since it's a fraternity...but what else can I do?
These are mostly college students so they could always keep themselves amused, but I'm the type to have a plan just in case it gets slow or boring. It will take place on November 17, so it might be too cold to do anything outside. He's not really into any one thing over another... He likes the Steelers, but they play on Sunday and people could only make the party if it were Saturday - so we can't watch the game. Just looking for some options...
(Since this is a huge surprise - please do not email me the response - he could read it!!!!)
Answer Catherine
I thinks you've already done a lot to make it very special, congratulations. But STILL you look for more!
OK ... obviously I cannot suggest personal likes and dislikes ... I don't know him. I can't either suggest local possibilities as I don't know where you are. Judging by some of the references (which I didn't fully grasp!) you are not in the UK either .... so some great things near me in London wouldn't be much help.
Here's what I would do:
Get a large album (blank photo album perhaps) and have every guest write a message in it before the party or if not, they leave.
As the party progresses, take digital photos of all guests and groups of guests and create spaces on each page where these photos will be printed and stuck.
Also...for anyone who could not come, simply ask them to send in something written and a photo .. and have an area for absent friends.
If each person writes in a memory, or a poem or something rather than "Congratulations" it'll be a great gift and create a bit of interest at the event too.
If some friends are a bit brave, they could do a live presentation of their mesage - which could be an interesting story, anecdote etc about something they remember from their times together. Stand up and tell the rest.
Maybe take 23 as the theme. '23 Things You Didn't Know About XXXX' on the cover.
People love stories and everybody has memories. it's what makes us what we are and stories about these moments create bonds with people who weren't there.
So....the main 'carrier' for the theme is a book. This will be presented as a wonderful keepsake at and after the party.
Get as many as possible to contribute to the book. So, for example, as people to write a great anecdote, a poem, provide a picture, do a cartoon ...... anything associated
...and create the book by pasting, binding these in. You can use some photo albums ..... or a really nice binder and have colored pages, decorate the cover.....
This means that anyone who couldn't attend can still 'be there' with a written offering. You may evev get some to record a message and send as an .mp3 which you can play on the day and burn to CD and insert in the book.
In fact, that's a great way to have various people make recordings ... even if they attend. It's SO easy now to make telephone recordings (via Skype etc) ....
Prepare a kit for this. Warn people in advance so they can think or bring something.
Also on the day, have a BIG photo of everyone attending. Then have space for this at the back and later print off and insert. A border plus message can be there in readiness.
On the day, somebody (perhaps you) should act as MC and perhaps show the book .... and maybe invite the others to read out their contribution, instead of a new speech. Perhaps divide the party up into eras or life segments and
invite someone to talk about her 0 - 10 years, then a little later
about 11 - 18 and so on .... with a key person or people at relevant parts.
Hope you like it .... do let me know and please leave feedback on here anyway.
