Ideas for Surprise 40Th Birthday

We have had multiple surprise parties for 40 and 50 year olds. Children do not belon there. These are meant to be "Over the Hill" parties so people can bring fun gifts and have fun themselves without worrying what bathroom the kids are destroying. We go to The Parethenon on Halstead St. They have great food packages and their Roditis wine is excellent. You can do the taste testing but I've found Jarosch Bakery in Elk Grove Village to be the best in this part of the state; also in Elk Grove on Arlington Heights Rd. We have NEVER not been pleased there.

idea #1: Have her husband piggyback everything she's doing and just change the date to be a week earlier so she gets EXACTLY what she wants and chose herself, but it happens early.

idea #2: Do it in a place that holds sentimental value for you guys so that even if the quality isn't awesome it doesn't break the bank and you know she'll love it and understand the choice because of the memories she shared there with her friends.

idea #3: Have it outside or at a house or get a space rental and select guests to each host tables. Each table can have a hostess and each hostess will furnish their table with silverware and plates etc. The food can be potluck and everyone brings something which will be part of the gift-- home cooking-- and she will be sure to find something amongst the big variety that she will like. Put an extra seat at each table so she can sit wherever she wants and float around to be wth all her guests.

idea #4: Don't make food the center of attention; hire a band and have dancing or something, or go out somewhere else and let her decide on the fly where you all go to eat afterwards.

Last thing: I hate surprise parties and would NEVER want one for myself because I, like your friend, am a control freak and if my name is attached to something I want it to be my way. Plus I want things to be convenient for me and I want to know to be in party-spirits when the time arrives and dressed well etc. But if she has actually TOLD you she wants a surprise party, she must understand that it is not going to be copybook perfectly the way SHE'D do it-- how could it be-- so she must understand that you'll do your best to make it a gift from YOU to her and it will be done kind of YOUR way as well as hers. If she has asked you for a surprise party and she never got one before, you cna't go wrong so long as you're trying. You're the first person to ever do this for her and she's gonna know you did your best and with all her friends there to celebrate for her, it will be meaningful and she'll love it even if it's not perfect.

I agree with a lot of what people are saying, but you also asked for specific ideas...

We had our wedding at Gratzi in Des Plaines (on Oakton) and they have excellent food, are very affordable and the decor is great they have a small private dining room as well as two larger rooms for bigger parties.

Personally I would have it somewhere and let them do the work and clean up. Renting everything you would need for that big of a group would be such a headache.

My husband turned 40 last year and i was able to thorw him a party and he was surprised up to the moment he walked in the door. We had our party at Harry Carey's in Lombard. They have a 2 hour buffet of horsdoeuvres and got a recommedation from someone for a local bakery and had a cake make. I also had around 35-40 adults and bought the 1st 2 drinks and it cost me under 2K for the entire party. There was enough food for everyone since they keep replacing the food for the entire night. I wanted it to be kept casual for everyone so they could might with friend and family. I went to vista pringing and had the invites done at a reasonable price. Had decorated the tables with balloones & had some mints and cholocate on the table.
Still to this day everyone had a awesome time there!

Good luck in the planning!

My girlfriend just had her daughter's bridal shower at a new restaurant in Yorktown Shopping Center called - Brio. The food was EXCELLENT and the atmosphere was fun and cheerful. The guest all had choices to make the day of the event - soup (lobster bisque - YUM) or salad - one of three entrees - and - their choice of 4 deserts that came in adorable little expresso cups. My friend got to pick out all of the choices that they print out on little menus for the guests. I don't think the prices broke the bank either. I also think that by giving everyone choices, that your friend will surely like one of the 3 that you pick?? Having the party outside of your home makes less stress if you can afford it.

My other completely opposite idea is to have a themed party based on somethign your friend loves. My hubby likes to play poker, so I threw him a 40th surprise that was a casino theme party. I bought blackjack tables, felt poker layouts, chips and then printed some funny money $40 bills with his picture on them. Each guest recieved $200 in funny money when they came in and then at 11:00pm, everyone counted their winnings and I had prizes for the top 3. Everyone had a blast since there was more to do than just chit-chat and it made it easy to strike up conversations between different groups like family versus friends. There are lots of other themes out there too - 60s hippy party w/dance contest, best dressed etc - Luau with limbo & best dressed - Wine tasting? - Bunko? - Scrapbooking and make all the guest tables create a page? Anyhow - you get the idea. My thought is that if the party is centered around something she enjoys, then she'll enjoy the party. Good luck!!

With all due respect, no wonder nobody's ever thrown her a surprise party. I'd be terrified to do something wrong!

You and her husband are giving her a GIFT by throwing her this party. If she can't accept your best efforts graciously, that to me is a bigger issue than whether she is serving on china or what bakery she uses.

Just IMHO. Good luck.

Not sure if your party has happened however I would recommend go to www.paradigmcitadel.com a great venue will be provided and they can handle every intricate detail. Excellence is the specialty and they can provide a great surprise for her special day. If the event has passed there's always next year.

Mom of a growing girl, 10yrs exp!!