I started planning my husband’s 40th birthday party about a year and a half before. I decided I was going to do a “Variety Show“. I involved all our family and friends in everything and they were so supportive and great sports to agree what I had planned.
1. I created a list of my husbands favorites (movies and sports teams)
- I decided we would do skits on The Steelers, The Blues Brothers, Elvis, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show
2. Picked who would play what part
- Elvis- His dad would rent the costume and do a dance and pretend to sing
- The Steelers– His mom, aunts, and niece would wear Steeler Jerseys and dance around him, shaking pom poms to “Oh Mickey” only they would scream Oh Richie…you’re so fine
- The Blues Brothers- My Son in law and I would dress up like Jake and Elwood and we’d do Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, including back flips by my sil.
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show– Me, and 3 of my girlfriends (Tanya, Tracy, and Eileen) would be the Time Warp peeps, My daughters were Magenta and Columbia, My sil was Riff Raff, and my husband’s friend was Dr. Frank n Furter
It was extremely difficult to get everyone together to practice all the dances, so the only one that we met on every week was the Rocky Horror Picture Show since we needed that down pat (and we still screwed up)
To put on the show, I rented a hall, cooked all the food (volunteered a few people to handle setting up the food), decorated, bought costumes, and PROPS. The hall had a downstairs, so at the top I put 2 ladders with a shower curtain rod attached to both ladders and hung red curtains (This was where we would come out on stage). A little in front of that we put a chair to sit my husband with his back to us (so he’d be surprised and the guests could see his face). I had a volunteer for the lights (of the hall) and I had a few volunteers for spotlights for the beginning of the show.
To start the show- My mom and other volunteers each had 2 flashlights and were waving it around madly on the curtain while Odyssey 2000 played for the beginning of Elvis (Made it very dramatic) and out Popped MY Father In Law- I thought my husband was going to pee his pants! Once he started his skit the lights went on and we proceeded with the show.
Keep in mind when we did Rocky Horror Picture Show, my husband’s friend was Dr. Frank n Furter- Yes he was in drag, heels and all, I painted the tattoo on him and everything. We had him come out with a cape wrapped around him so he could stand in front and whip it off in front of my husband. My husband almost fell off the chair and all the guests screamed, laughing hysterically. It was Perfect!
It was the best party ever, but to keep it a surprise I had to do a mock party...yes a mock surprise birthday party. I kept it very small at my house with pickins and had immediate family and close friends come. I took my husband out and we walked in and everyone yelled SURPRISE!!!! He knows me too well NOT to have a party for him. A few weeks before the “mock party” I was making sure to whisper on the phone, etc so he expected something. I’m sure he thought I totally dropped the ball with this lame ass surprise party…HAHAHA!
Oh and my girls and I bought him a Harley which came in 3 weeks after the Real Party. I’d say he had a great birthday but I was really impressed with how everyone came through for our Variety Show!
If you’re planning a big surprise party and I can help with ideas, please let me know…I LOVE PARTIES!!!
Have you thrown a surprise party or do you have good tips, share them in the comments!
I TOTALLY need some great ideas for someone’s 40th!
For MY hubby, when we bought our house, it was around a month before his 30th birthday, so we were planning a huge house-warming party, and using that as my cover, I planned his 30th Surprise Birthday Bash, and that of his best friend…it was a huge success, and they were both completely surprised, and had a wonderful time, surrounded by all of our friends and family. 🙂
Would love to help with ideas for a 40th! I love parties. The whole house-warming decoy was brilliant!
Rachel, I totally remember that party! We had such an awesome time! You do plan some of the best parties!
I guess I picked the wrong profession. I would love to plan BIG parties for a living
I wanna come to your next party, Rachel! That’s so awesome. I’ll be sure to call you when I need ideas. Actually, I have to surprise my kids for Christmas. I got them a Wii, but can’t afford much else. Don’t want them to just see the Wii box wrapped up under the tree. I’m thinking about wrapping a bunch of lame presents like socks and bringing in the Wii last, making them think they didn’t get it. Not sure if that’s too cruel. Help!
I think that’s a great idea and not cruel. Don’t be surprised if they get excited over the socks. To make the Big present even more fun, you can have it set it up but hidden and do a scavenger hunt. Wrap all the clues and place them all over the house, so they still get to unwrap a bunch of gifts. Make the last present the empty box so they can immediately play the game. They won’t think about any other gift! It would also make a great video…..let me know what you did and how it went.
Oh wow!! That sounds like so much fun!! I can’t believe you did all that!! Your hubby is pretty lucky 🙂
It was a blast! We’ll be doing a party in Jan and I’ll be hounding you to come!!! Thanks so much for coming by!
That sounds like so much fun! Years ago I threw my hubby a 30th bday party and we did a 70’s theme. I can’t believe how everyone got into it….they all dressed up and it was so much fun!
I was thinking of doing an 80’s party. I may do it in the summer. 70’s is fun too, I would have dressed up for you too!
LOVE IT!!! Sounds like it was so much fun!!!
Thanks Vera- it was a blast! Although now my bar is very high for his 50th
WOW what an awesome idea! You have me totally freaked out now because although my hubs doesn’t turn 40 for 2 more years, I feel like I need to start planning now.
I love parties and planning them so if you need help with brainstorming let me know. Yes you should at least think about what/how you want to throw his party…if you’re planning one at all- some go away for a weekend- or buy something big